Many people are curious about whether or not Shih Tzus bark a lot. Some people may be thinking of getting this breed and want to know if they will be constantly annoyed by incessant barking, while others who already own a Shih Tzu may be wondering if their dog is just noisy or if there is an underlying problem.
In this article, we will explore the truth about Shih Tzu barking and offer some solutions for excessive noise.
Do Shih Tzu Dogs Bark a Lot?
Do Shih Tzus bark a lot? Yes. Shih Tzus bark a lot. In general, small dogs tend to bark more than larger breeds. Shih Tzus have been bred to be companion animals, and barking is one way they communicate with their owners. Plus, some Shih Tzus simply have a lot of energy and like to vocalize it.
Unlike some small dog breeds that are usually aggressive towards strangers or other dogs, the Shih Tzu is not looking to pick a fight; and is going to get along with other dogs pretty well. Barking can mean a lot of different things. Shih Tzu very much likes to bark at the door when visitors arrive, but it is usually trying to get the visitors to pet it.
Shih Tzus can bark for different reasons including excitement, anxiety, pain, fear, territorial instincts; and usually just to get your attention. The Shih Tzu is generally calm and loves nothing more than to curl up into a fluffy ball in your lap and cuddle with you.
The Shih Tzu may also bark at night; and aside from this being a natural dog behavior, there are also other reasons such as fear.
Trying to scare anything away that it might perceive as danger, or trying to alert its owners. A common reason can be separation anxiety; because when a dog is alone for a long time, it can have an emotional and physical urge to be with the people it can cuddle with and have their attention.
Nobody wants grumpy neighbors and certainly, your dog barking at night won’t help. This can be quite stressful for both you and the dog, although training your Shih Tzu to not bark as much isn’t straightforward, it is indeed possible.
Can You Train a Shih Tzu Not To Bark?
Can you train a Shih Tzu not to bark? Yes, you certainly can train the Shih Tzu not to bark as much, but it requires patience and consistency as they can be stubborn sometimes. Also, you have to understand that barking is natural for dogs and you can only manage the frequency of barking to a certain point.
Scolding your dog will not get you anywhere and will be counterintuitive as your dog most likely will bark even louder out of stress.
Before starting to train your Shih Tzu not to bark as much, set very realistic expectations because barking is naturally your dog’s way of communicating with you and the world around it, so don’t expect your dog to give it up overnight. To achieve any significant results, you must be very consistent with your training.
Also, don’t expect your dog to give up barking altogether. It is best to start training your Shih Tzu from a very young age or from the time you bring it home, however, if you have had the dog for a while, it can still be trained but will require some extra effort.
You must make sure to properly socialize your Shih Tzu. You can do this by taking your Shih Tzu to a dog park, attending puppy lessons, playing videos or movies of dogs, socializing with other people who own pets, and much more.
If your Shih Tzu has serious behavioral issues, this is highly uncommon in the breed so make sure to consult a professional. Furthermore, there are different methods to train your Shih Tzu, for different situations. For training to be effective, your Shih Tzu needs to be in a relatively calm state.
You also need to be aware that trying to train your Shih Tzu right after you come home will not be effective. This is because regardless of how long you’ve been out, your Shih Tzu is going to be excited. This is also true when your dog is in an excited state for other reasons besides your return.
Are Shih Tzus OK to be left alone?
Are Shih Tzus OK to be left alone? Most Shih Tzus will do just fine when left alone for a few hours. However, having been bred to be a companion dog, the Shih Tzu will get separation anxiety; especially if left alone for several hours.
As much as we’d love to spend all our time with our fluffy friends, most of us can’t be home all day. Separation anxiety is the fear and panic that your Shih Tzu may experience when you leave for several hours or even minutes.
You can train your Shih Tzu to cope better with your absence. This does not require complicated training but a few habit changes on your end. Dogs in general, depend on social interactions with the people around them to feel relaxed, excited, and happy.
And when left alone for long periods without any way of knowing when you are coming back, they start to get anxious.
Separation anxiety is not good for your Shih Tzu. And luckily, there are ways you can identify the symptoms of separation anxiety. When you aren’t at home, your Shih Tzu is alone and stressed about your absence.
It may defecate and/or urinate in places it usually shouldn’t and/or doesn’t. It also may loudly and excessively bark and whine in your absence.
The Shih Tzu can also chew items at home or even its paws or tail. These are all reactions because your Shih Tzu is in distress and has symptoms of separation anxiety.
Depending on where in the hierarchy of the pack your Shih Tzu believes it fits, and how it gets training, it can also start nipping, barking at you, or start whining when you are about to leave the house. These are also signs of separation anxiety in your Shih Tzu.
Why is My Shih Tzu Barking For No Reason?
Why is my Shih Tzu barking for no reason? There are a few potential reasons why your Shih Tzu might be barking for no reason. One possibility is that they’re bored and looking for something to do. Another possibility is that they’re trying to get your attention for some reason. If you think that might be the case, try asking them what they want and see if they stop barking. If they don’t stop, it’s possible that they’re just feeling anxious or stressed about something. In that case, try to provide them with some comfort and reassurance until they calm down.
There are a few things that may cause a Shih Tzu to bark more than usual. One possibility is that the dog is bored or doesn’t have enough to do. Make sure your Shih Tzu has plenty of toys and games to keep them entertained. Also, take them on walks or runs every day so they can get out all of their energy.
Another possibility is that the dog is trying to communicate something. If your Shih Tzu is barking a lot, pay attention to see if there’s anything they’re trying to tell you. They might be hungry, thirsty, or need to go outside. Once you figure out what they’re trying to say, you can help them and hopefully reduce the amount of barking.
If you’re still having trouble with excessive barking, there are some training methods you can try. You can start by teaching your Shih Tzu the “quiet” command, and rewarding them when they obey. You may also want to consult with a professional trainer for more advice on how to stop your Shih Tzu from barking too much.
