If you want to discover how to stop a Chihuahua barking then I hear you, as do the thousands of other Chihuahua owners dealing with the exact same issue.
There’s no question that an excessively chatty dog can be frustrating.
It can turn walks into an exercise in noise control…
…A restful night into a sleepless one.
…And inspire countless dirty looks from the neighbors.
And while all breeds are susceptible to the occasional bout of barking, Chihuahuas are known as one of the worst offenders.
This is a breed that’s known to be fiercely protective and territorial. So it’s in their best interest to suspect anything and everything that comes within barking distance as a threat.
Pair this with the instinctual behaviors the most Chihuahua are prone to, and tackling the problem is no easy job.
But is it impossible? …Not at all.
In fact, getting your Chi’s barking under control CAN be relatively simple with the right plan of action. It’s also why I’d highly recommend watching the short video’s below from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer.
Just to give you a heads up, the techniques Dan demonstrates in each video below are not only effective at quieting a noisy dog, but they’re also essential for establishing yourself as the pack leader (a key element in stopping unwanted behavior like barking)
The 3rd and final video is where Dan reveals 5 step-by-step calming exercises that will ultimately set the foundation for improving your dog’s ability to stop barking. Along with a 3 day trial of Dan’s entire membership site where you can access hundreds more videos and tutorials.
Anyway, watch the videos, implement the training Dan recommends, and your Chihuahua’s obsessive barking will soon be a thing of the past.
Video #1: The Short Leash Method
Video #2: The Calm Freeze Technique
Video #3: The 5 Step-By-Step Calming Exercises (Plus 3 Day Trial Of The Online Dog Trainer)
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Click Here To Start Your 3 Day Trial Of The Online Dog Trainer
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Dogs bark. It’s a fact. Most of the time, it’s not a problem – it’s just how they communicate.
But when that barking goes from an occasional thing to a 24/7 ordeal, it stops being ok.
Chihuahuas are never going to stop barking completely. No dog will. But a completely silent dog isn’t the name of the game here anyway.
Getting your dog to understand there’s a time for barking and a time for silence is the end goal.
The first step to getting there?
Figure out what’s turning them into a barking machine.
Although every dog is unique, most cases of excessive barking in Chihuahuas fall into one of the following categories…
Territorial/ Protective Barking
Chihuahuas are fiercely territorial. If they perceive anything or anyone as a threat, they’ll bark constantly in an attempt to see it off.
Because of how protective they get about their owners, they can also turn into broken records whenever someone comes too close or starts moving unpredictably around them.
Boredom Barking
Chihuahuas are incredibly high energy. The problem is, their tiny stature leads many owners to assume they don’t need much exercise.
Without the appropriate outlet for their energy, it can surface in less than desirable ways…. and yep, that means constant, unrelenting barking.
Separation Anxiety Barking
Any breed can become anxious if they’re left alone for long periods, but Chihuahuas are particularly susceptible.
Because of how small and weak they are, they look for strength in numbers.
Back when they lived in packs, Chihuahuas who were afraid to leave the group were more likely to survive than those who wandered away or fell behind.
That genetic trait for separation anxiety is still very much intact, with the result that Chihuahuas can become extremely distressed at the prospect of being home alone.
Leave them to their own devices for longer than they’re comfortable with, and it’s only a matter of time before the howling starts.
Related Post: How To Calm A Dog With Separation Anxiety In 3 Simple Steps
Demand Barking
Chihuahuas might be pint-sized balls of cuteness, but there’s no denying they can be a little frustrating and even overbearing at times.
Patience isn’t necessarily their strong point: if they want something, they want it now.
To get exactly what they want in a time frame that suits, they’ll use their voices as a way of hurrying things along. What they want can vary, but it usually revolves around food, attention, or combinations of the two.
But here’s the thing…
Many owners inadvertently encourage demand barking by giving into it.
Even shouting at a dog to stop barking can have a negative impact. And by acknowledging the barking and paying your dog attention, you’re unwittingly reinforcing the behavior.
Alert Barking
Chihuahuas are constantly on alert. If they notice a sound or a sight they think warrants your attention, they’ll use their voices to let you know.
Alert barking can be useful, without a doubt. But when your Chihuahua thinks it’s necessary to bring even a raindrop or a floating leaf to your notice, it can soon lose its appeal.
Fear Barking
Chihuahuas are tiny. It’s no surprise, then, that they often get scared around the kind of things other dogs take in their stride.
If your Chihuahua feels threatened or under attack, expect some vocal gymnastics.
Greeting Barking
Greeting barking is the natural, normal kind of barking that every dog indulges in when they want to say hello.
This kind of barking is easy enough to distinguish from more unacceptable types: listen out for a happy, high toned bark that’s accompanied by a wagging tail and a relaxed posture.
Compulsive Barking
Compulsive barkers are like broken records. They bark for no rhyme or reason, and they do it all the time.
If you’re worried your dog may be a compulsive barker, check for other compulsive behaviors like pacing and circling.
How to Stop a Chihuahua Barking – The Quick & Easy Way
Chihuahuas are prominent barkers. Regardless of where they are and who they’re with, they like to be heard. Fortunately, the problem isn’t insurmountable.
Although you’ll never stop a Chihuahua from yapping completely, you can train them to bark less using a variety of measures and training techniques.
Regardless of what solution you use, start now. Habits can become ingrained: the longer you let the barking continue, the harder it will be to stop.
As barking can sometimes be accompanied by aggressive behaviors (particularly if the problem is rooted in fear or anxiety), nipping it in the bud is as crucial to your safety as it is to your dog’s wellbeing.
Before you launch into any new regime, remember one key thing. An excited, tense dog isn’t a trainable dog. To help your Chihuahua get the most of any training, teach them how to rein in their emotions with these 5 step-by-step calming exercises.
As well as helping your dog calm down and focus on training, the exercises are designed to assert your status as a leader – a vital ingredient when it comes to dealing effectively with a headstrong breed like the Chihuahua.
Stop Reinforcing the Behavior
If your Chihuahua is demand barking, the first step in addressing the problem is to stop rewarding the behavior. If your dog knows that barking gets them what they want, they’ll keep doing it.
To stop them from indulging in the behavior, you’ll need to teach them that their tried and tested way of getting your attention simply doesn’t work anymore.
Whenever they bark, ignore it.
This applies when they bark to be fed, when they bark to be let in or out. And when they bark for attention.
Caving in simply rewards them for misbehaving. So wait until they stop barking before doing anything.
If you’re consistent enough, they’ll soon learn that good behavior is a better strategy than barking.
Add Some Exercise
When a high energy dog like the Chihuahua doesn’t get enough exercise, they’ll find other ways of burning off some steam… and yep, that means barking.
Introduce an extra walk into their routine and add some fun into their day with a few games of catch or frisbee.
As mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity, treat them to some interactive games and food dispensing toys.
If even that isn’t enough to tire them out, you might want to consider signing them up for an agility class.
Be Consistent
Chihuahuas might be small, but they’re headstrong. If they sense weakness, they’ll not hesitate in taking advantage of it.
Whatever rules you introduce, be consistent. If you correct their excess barking one day but don’t the next, they’ll never take you seriously.
If you issue a command or instruction, follow through with it. Your dog has to know you mean business, and consistency is the only way to do it.
Related Post: My Dog Barks At Everything – How To Quite A Noisy Dog
Ignore the Bad and Reward the Good
If your dog is barking as a way to get attention, don’t give it to them. Even negative attention like shouting or scolding will reinforce the behavior.
Whenever they bark to get something, ignore it and wait until they’re quiet and calm before responding with generous praise and a reward.
Over time, your dog will learn that good behavior is way more productive than bad.
Know When to Ask for Help
Chihuahuas are very prone to separation anxiety, a condition that can often lead to excessive barking and other forms of destructive behaviors.
Unfortunately, separation anxiety can be very hard to treat unless you’re already experienced at training.
But if you’re struggling to cope with the problem alone, don’t hesitate to seek help.
A veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist will help you get to the root of your dog’s problem and work with you to find ways of managing the behavior.
Remove Their Triggers
Chihuahuas are constantly on alert. When you factor in their heightened territorial instincts, any sight or sound that falls into their alarmingly broad definition of ‘threatening’ is reason enough to bark.
If your dog spends its life barking at the window at each and every passing stranger, cat, or mailman, tackle the problem head-on by removing the triggers.
An opaque window film that blocks their view of the outside world will instantly let them stand down from duty and relax. Closing the curtains will have the same effect.
Socialize Them
Having your Chihuahua cling to you wherever you go may make you feel loved. But you’re not doing them any favors by encouraging the behavior.
Over time, overdependence will simply lead to an increase in anxiety-driven behaviors like barking.
To help give your dog the kind of confidence they need to face life head-on, socialize them. Ideally, this should be done when your pup is young, but it’s never too late to start.
Set up some friendly meet and greets with other dog owners. Take your pet to different places. Expose them to new sights and sounds.
Basically, the more experience your dog has of the world, the less reason they’ll have to be afraid of it.
Break Up Their Day
If a dog gets bored and lonely while they’re home alone, they’ll often vent their frustration with their voices.
To tackle the problem, give your dog something to do while you’re gone. A few toys and interactive games will go a long way to keeping them entertained.
If you can, ask a neighbor or a dog walker to stop by mid-day to give them some much-needed interaction and mental stimulation.
You might also want to try a camera and treat dispenser like the Furbo.
The camera comes with 2-way audio and live streaming that lets you keep an eye on your pet from your smartphone.
If they seem anxious or fretful, you can soothe them by talking to them or even dispensing treats.
Calm Them Down
Chihuahuas can get extremely anxious at the kind of things many other breeds take in their stride. Considering their tiny size, it’s understandable.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of ways you can help dial down the tension and soothe their frazzled nerves.
Calming pheromones work a treat on many dogs, as do simple things like restful music and soothing doggy massages.
And don’t forget, these 5 step-by-step calming exercises can work wonders on anxious pooches.
Closing Thoughts
Chihuahuas may be small, but they’ve got huge voices.
If you want to reduce the volume, start by figuring out the reason behind the constant barking. Once you’ve done that, you can work on stopping them from barking when they shouldn’t.
Although it might take some time for you to notice a positive change (especially if the problem is rooted in anxiety), keep working at it. With time, consistency, and patience, you’ll get there.
