Chihuahua Barking Training

Chihuahuas are intelligent, incredibly active little dogs and many are known for their penchant for barking. An owner's goal should not be to completely eliminate barking, but to stop the barking that's excessive. To do that, an owner must find the causes behind the barking, then fix the problem. In the meantime, the owner has to be careful not to inadvertently reward his chihuahua's barking behavior.

  1. Address the Causes

    • Chihuahuas love to bark. It's as natural for them as it is for humans to speak. Chihuahuas bark when they're bossy, staking out their territory, alerting of impending danger, when they're playing or excited, at seeing other animals, when isolated or feeling trapped, bored or stressed. The list is endless. "Once you've identified the cause or trigger," according to the website Famous Chihuahua, "you can then plan your training solution."

    Don't Inadvertently Reward Barking

    • Owners inadvertently encourage and reinforce barking. Yelling and screaming at them gives chihuahuas the attention they're craving. Letting chihuahuas indoors after they've been barking incessantly outside rewards them for their behavior. Comforting a barking chihuahua with a cuddle or treat communicates to him that you are happy with his actions and simply encourages him to bark more.

    Ringing Phone

    • Changing the phone's volume or ringtone might help. Basic obedience training is another step worth taking, so chihuahuas learn the "stop" or "quiet" command. Getting a chihuahua used to the ringing phone, so it means nothing special, usually works. An owner can call his home phone from his cell, or have friends call his home number, then ignore the phone as it rings, hoping the dog will no longer pay attention to it, either.

    Home Alone

    • This type of barking is often a symptom of separation anxiety. Providing toys and leaving on televisions or radios might help. Sometimes hiding outdoors and returning only when the chihuahua is quiet alleviates the problem. An additional trick is for a returning owner to completely ignore his barking chihuahua, going about his business and initiating contact with the dog only after getting settled.

    Attention or Demand

    • This can be quickly corrected. An owner must ignore the chihuahua's bid for attention. A dog will bark a lot initially but will stop when he realizes he isn't getting a reaction. Also, when an owner establishes himself as the pack leader, or alpha dog, a chihuahua is less likely to step out of line and make demands. The dog will have a strong bond based on trust and respect.

    Visitors and Passersby

    • A chihuahua sometimes perceives her owner's friends and passersby, such as delivery people and letter carriers, as threats to her territory. When these people leave, the chihuahua might perceive her barking as successfully driving intruders away. An owner can try blocking his chihuahua's vision or access to areas where people are walking. Better yet, visitors can be provided with dog treats to give the chihuahua. They'll soon be recognized as welcome guests.

    Expert Insight

    • "Just whatever you do, no matter how desperate you get," the Dog Obedience Training Tips website states, "make sure that you are not using any spray (collars) or shock collars. These devices always end up doing more harm than good, so you want to completely avoid them. Your goal should be to solve the barking problem without creating new problems, like emotional distress and trauma, in the meantime."