My Chihuahua Barks at Night

Overview

We love our chihuahuas, but sometimes they keep us awake all night. You want to sleep but your chihuahua barking at night won’t let you, because the Dog is not happy to see you asleep. As a result, what you have to keep in mind is that your chihuahua takes this as their owner “ignoring” them. As a consequence, your chihuahua will start barking until they have your attention.

Puppies are known for their barking at night because they have not yet gotten accustomed to the schedule. Also, puppies are very used to receiving attention all the time, therefore, they may want interaction regardless of time.

Puppies start to bark from their first day and if barking at night is not handled in the right way, it can set up a very bad habit. It is common that a puppy keeps barking for a long time especially at night.

Concerning adults, there is always a good reason why an adult chihuahua starts barking at night suddenly.

When a chihuahua barks. It means that there is a need such as a bathroom, or something else, also when your chihuahua barks at night you may think that there is an intruder in the home, or trying to get inside, or there is some other sort of hazard. Sometimes when an adult chihuahua suffers from health issues, their barking equals attention.

Preparing for night

1. Make sure that your chihuahua is comfortable.

Always try to provide a quality dog bed. Also, keep in mind that the spot that seemed perfect in the winter is hot in summer and vice versa.

Additionally, you will first want to keep the neighbor’s pet out of your chihuahua’s territory, because your chihuahua will start barking when she or he senses that a dog moved into his area.

Chihuahuas are amusing creatures and we can never predict when they want to change the spot when they want to sleep, Your chihuahua may want to sleep in the kitchen under the table and simply wake up to attempt to show you that they want to change the place.

If there is not a problem to allow your chihuahua to sleep anywhere he wishes, allow him. This is a good solution and doesn’t harm anyone.

In order to avoid your dog barking at night, you should have a few toys to keep your little chi occupied.

If your dog barks at night for a snack, try to place a few treats in the sleeping area.

YOU CAN ALSO READ:10 things every Chihuahua owner needs.

2. Create A calm environment

Lower volume on the TV and dim the lights when your chihuahua wants to sleep.

3. Feeding

As a chihuahua owner, you should give your dog his last meal two hours before the designated sleep time.

4. exercise

Bring your chihuahua for a walk one hour before sleep time, But make sure that this is done in the evening to avoid the increasing awareness and a rush of adrenaline.

5. water

Try to teach your chihuahua to not drink much water right before bed because this is a bad habit.

6. Bathroom trip

30 minutes before the designated sleep time, bring him for the last bathroom trip of the day. check our housebreaking guidelines.

Your Chihuahua keeps waking you up to go to the bathroom!

Puppies go a lot of time to the bathroom at night especially in the middle of the night.

Puppies can sleep some nights and this habit will improve as the pup matures.

During a puppy’s life, the amount of time that a chihuahua can hold his needs will increase. For example, if a 4-month-old puppy had to go to the bathroom every 4 hours, the frequency will increase to 5 hours when he is 5 months old.

How to handle nighttime barking

Keep this rule in mind: a healthy chihuahua in a safe area will bark at night for two reasons:

• bathroom needs
• to gain your attention

The solution is to know which reason is causing the barking. Never think that your chihuahua barks for no reason.

1. For a 3-month-old puppy, the frequency of the bathroom is every 3 hours,4 months old 4 hours, and so on.

Try to not respond to your chihuahua barking if you know that barking is just for attention. Because if you do so, you will be sending a clear message that your chihuahua can control your actions.

If you are sure that there are no bathroom needs going by the age and ability of your puppy. Keep ignoring your dog barking at night until the dog learns to self-soothe and fall back asleep.

If you follow this rule, within just a couple of weeks barking at night will stop as the chihuahua is sure that it does not bring any desired results.

2. If you are sure that there is no bathroom need, then night barking should be handled in a way that sends a strong message that this is serious and not a time of playing.

Put the chihuahua on a leash and take him to the bathroom area with lights very dim. Then, never speak or play with your dog at all during this time.

Once the bathroom time is finished, bring your chihuahua to his spot and leave the room. By doing this and acting confident and calm, you send the signal that all is fine and there is nothing to be concerned about.

why if your chihuahua barks at night for no reason?

There are so many causes that can push a dog to bark at night and sometimes the owner can’t recognize them. So we brought some causes and their solutions.

1. Boredom

As we know dogs have a lot of energy. And without any physical and mental exercises during the day, the dog will express this in so many negative ways such as barking at night because bored dogs tend to bark and whine at night.

• The fix

Your dog’s training must be included in your daily schedule. Physical and mental exercises are needed. Chihuahuas don’t need a lot of exercise because of their small size. Being calm at night is a good sign which proves that your dog was given enough exercise during the day. Some toys can help to tire out your dog physically and mentally. The purpose of these activities is to make your dog quiet at night.

2. Alerting

Chihuahuas regardless of their size have the instinct to protect their human. As a result, whenever they sense an intruder near the property they start barking. For instance, when someone is walking past your house or a car drives down your street. In addition, other animals can trigger the dog’s attention like raccoons or possums.

• The fix

In order to deal with this try to show your chihuahua that this is just a car try to say “this is just a car”, of course, your chihuahua will not know what you say, but he will understand the meaning by the tone of your voice. By repeating this you show your chihuahua that there is no reason to be concerned.

3. Loneliness

Chihuahuas tend to create a strong bond with their parents, so when you are out for work all day and letting your chi along. Chihuahua will bark at night because of loneliness.

•  The fix

Try to spend more time with your dog and keep your chihuahua as close to you as possible, even you can let them sleep in your bed.

If you don’t trust your dog enough maybe the crate will help but this is not necessary.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: Leaving a chihuahua home and separation anxiety

4. Lack of owner’s Supervision

Chihuahuas often bark when their owners are not near them. They bark also when they are outside even in the backyard. The interesting sounds of night can push the dogs to bark because these strange sounds make them afraid, curious, or just want to warn their owners.

• The fix

To avoid undesirable barking try not to let your chihuahuas outside the house without your especially at night.

Does your dog bark at night in his Crate?

It’s fine to let your dog sleeps in your bedroom or even in your bed if the owner doesn’t have any major cause to lock the dog at night in an isolated room.

If your dog is well trained, letting him sleep with you won’t harm anyone or create any bad habits. According to studies sleeping with your dog in the same bed can result in a better night’s sleep.

Conclusion 

As a way for communication chihuahuas use barking. You can’t make them quiet forever, it’s in their DNA. However, if you combined the tips we have mentioned in this article. Like plenty of exercises, playtime, and a safe place for the dog to sleep. You will help your chihuahua stop barking at night.