Wouldn’t it be great if dogs could talk? They do. They communicate with us through the sounds they make. We just have to figure out what they are saying. You can learn how to decipher dog sounds.

There are 6 different sounds that they make most often and we will decipher these dog sounds in this article. They are:

• Barking
• Whining
• Howling
• Purring
• Growling
• Singing

Barking

Chihuahuas are often referred to as little barkers. They may bark when someone comes to the door when they hear a noise outside, or see or hear someone outside. But they also bark when trying to get your attention because they want to eat, play, come in from outside. These are the most common reasons that Chihuahuas bark.

No doubt, as you have gotten to know your Chihuahua you have learned to decipher some of his or her barks and what they mean.

Each Chihuahua has a different sounding bark. For instance, Remedy has an ear-splitting high pitched bark. Pebbles has a tiny almost dainty little bark. Cora has a distinct sound all her own that is a little between Remedy’s and Pebbles. Winston has a deeper bark.

How to Decipher Barking

Look for body language when you want to decipher your dog’s sounds. Once you are used to your Chihuahua’s distinctive bark it’s easier to understand what they mean. Using clues such as body language and what they are doing with their tail can help. A high-pitched bark (yes, Remedy’s can get even more ear-splitting) is welcoming but if his bark is deep and low, he could be trying to alert you of something he perceives as a possible danger.

Me when Remedy barks!

A tail that is wagging is joyful, however, a tail down and between the back legs, sometimes with hackles up and an angry bark can mean he is either very afraid or it could be aggressive. Chihuahuas are what is referred to as fear-aggressive. That means that when they are afraid and feel they are being threatened they will absolutely become aggressive as the last resort.

They will first give you some subtle signs that he is afraid and if you pay no heed to them he will resort to aggression. Training may be needed if the barking is excessive, becomes annoying, and/or the neighbors are complaining.

Whining

Whining or crying is another way dogs express their needs. Newborn Chihuahuas will whine to communicate to their mothers that they are hungry and want to nurse.

A Chihuahua may whine to let you know that they need to go outside, that it’s time to feed them, or that they want to play. Case in point, all my dogs sleep through the night, however, once in a while, one of them will begin to whine, — Cora and Winston will bark, Remedy and Pebbles whine — which lets me know that they need to go out.

Whining is also a way to let you know that they are unhappy about something or that they are in pain or scared, maybe during a thunderstorm or fireworks. It’s as if they are saying, “ow, that hurts”, or “that scares me”. Has your Chihuahua stepped on a sticker when you are on a walk? You know immediately because they will whine, or limp, or both. On the other hand, some will whine when excited like when you come home.

How To Deciphering Whining

When your Chihuahua starts whining, look for clues. Is it dinner time? Do they need to go outside? Are they unhappy about something or in pain? Some will whine when they are left alone, which could mean that they have separation anxiety. When your Chihuahua begins to whine, ask yourself, “what is my Chi trying to tell me”? Also, look at their body language.

Here’s a funny example of my Chico (03-2003 to 07-2020) who would give a tiny whine and do a little “dance” to make it very clear that it was past time to eat! I call this video Chico’s “its past dinner time dance”.

When your Chihuahua begins to whine, look for signs and body language. Is it dinner time? Do they need to go out to potty? Are they in pain or just not happy about something? If he whines when left alone this could be a sign of separation anxiety.

Howling

Wild dogs use howling as a way of communicating with each other. Scientists have noted when studying wolves that they will howl upon waking up first thing in the morning. They are saying “hey, I’m here, where are you?” Or “help, I’m lost. Where are you?” Domesticated dogs are really a long way from wolves, however. They no longer need to convey their whereabouts to each other.

But, they may be trying to communicate with or locate us — one of their pack. If your dog is home alone for a long period of time he/she may start howling in hopes that you will answer and come home. In that case, it can be a sign of separation anxiety. Dogs may howl or bark excessively out of boredom. Don’t Miss: How to help your chihuahua with separation anxiety.

It may be that they are alerting you to injury that they are in pain. Humans cry when we hurt. Dogs howl for similar reasons.

Deciphering Howling

What clues is he giving with body language? Have they found something? It could even mean that they are announcing that they are the rulers of this pack! Maybe they are bored and are simply releasing their pent-up energy. Maybe he is feeling pain. Gently check him to see if he has something in his paw or a cut somewhere.

Purring

Did you know that cats are not the only animal that purrs? Dogs sometimes do it too, according to the AKC. It’s kind-of a “brrr” or like a snuffle. It’s sort of a cross between a low rumble and a grumbly growl. At least, that is what the AKC says, however, I’m not sure I buy that. What do you think? Have you ever heard your Chihuahua make a noise that you would call a purr? Tell me in the comments below.

Deciphering Purring

I think the AKC may be referring to what I would call a snuffle. To decipher what it means when your Chihuahua purrs (snuffles), notice what he is doing at the time. It could be that he is excited or happy. Sometimes it just means utter contentment, like when he is sitting next to you and being petted. My Cora does it to let me know she is not done when I’ve been petting her and then take my hand away.

Growling

I think we all know what growling sounds like and have learned how to decipher this dog sound. A Chihuahua will growl when he is afraid, angry, being possessive, and even when he is in pain. If he is afraid, or angry, it is a warning that if you, or whatever he perceives to be the threat, doesn’t stop he will resort to biting.

Deciphering Growling

Growling can be very concerning. Your Chihuahua will give lots of body language signals that he is afraid, angry, not wanting to share, or that he is in pain before he begins to growl. Growling is the last sign, and if you do not respond to those clues he will snap or bite.

On the other hand, some dogs, my Remedy is one, will growl when wanting you or another dog to play. Again to distinguish the difference look for body language. If he is in his play-stance (notice photo) while growling, he is wanting to play.

Growling for those other reasons, however, being possessive, angry, afraid, will need some training. If you are having difficulties with the training, it may be well worth the money to hire a good trainer in your area.

Singing

If your Chihuahua is very vocal, he may start howling to a ringtone, music, or sounds on the television. If it has the right pitch, he may begin howling or what we think of as singing. You may find this very amusing … or not. If you don’t find it amusing or the neighbors are complaining, you can teach him “enough“. However, that won’t help if you are at work and the neighbors are having to listen to it all day. Then it may be time to hire a trainer.

Deciphering Singing

Most likely, a Chihuahua will do it in response to any of the above-mentioned triggers, but they then notice that singing may result in a desirable reaction from you. You may laugh, or pet them, even smiling at them is a payoff for them, so they will repeat it again, and again. Try showing no reaction or turning away from them when they do it. After a while, they will realize that singing no longer gives them the attention from you that they crave.

We may never know why dogs sing, but experts think it’s instinct. But, rest assured that if your Chihuahua howls along with a high pitched sound or noise, he is not in pain or hearing something in a frequency that hurts their ears — most of the time, they just enjoy it. Dogs learn from repetition, so if you react favorably to it, they will continue to do it. My Chihuahuas and I sometimes just have a good ol’ fashion “singing contest“!

So, leaning to decipher dog sounds just takes a little sleuthing and looking for clues.

Next up: Mind Your P’s and Cues. Are you making these common mistakes?