Why Chihuahuas Ring When Your Phone Rings

Understanding Chihuahua Ringing and Howling

Chihuahuas are a small dog breed known for being feisty and vocal. Many chihuahua owners have experienced their pooch howling or "ringing" loudly whenever the phone or doorbell rings. This trait can be bewildering and frustrating if you don't understand why they do it.

What Triggers the Ringing and Howling

Chihuahuas tend to have strong instincts to alert their owners of anything unusual. The sound of a telephone, video call, doorbell, or knock at the door is foreign and alarming to them. So they vocalize with high-pitched barks, howls, and other odd noises to say “Hey! Something weird is happening here!”

It's thought this behavior harkens back to their days as watchdogs for ancient Central and South American civilizations. The little dogs would alert the communities of any approaching friends or foes. Modern chihuahuas retain this deeply ingrained trait.

Why Do They Make Such Strange Noises?

The bizarre sounds chihuahuas produce when ringing or howling can be perplexing. Some people describe it as sounding similar to birds, monkeys, or other wildlife calls. This is because chihuahuas haven't been selectively bred to bark like most domesticated canines.

So when they vocalize warnings, they produce airy, high-pitched whines, growls, and howls that bewilder human ears. Every chihuahua has a unique "voice" when ringing or howling too.

Managing the Ringing and Howling

While this trait might be buried deep in their DNA, there are ways to minimize too much ringing or howling:

• Desensitize them slowly to the sounds
• Distract them with treats or toys when it happens
• Teach them a quiet command like "enough"
• Don't encourage the behavior by comforting them
• Use their energy elsewhere with walks, training, play

Because ignoring the behavior can worsen anxiety, gentle positive reinforcement training is best. Consistency and time helps chihuahuas learn ringing or howling excessively is not required.

Why Chihuahuas Ring at Noises

Let’s explore more about why this tiny but mighty breed feels compelled to make such a loud ruckus when your phone rings or the doorbell chimes.

Alertness is in Their Blood

Chihuahuas descend from Techichi dogs kept by Toltec civilization in Mexico as far back as the 9th century AD. The Techichi served as prized companions, religious icons...and alarms. Their shrill warnings protected Toltec communities from invaders.

Today's chihuahua has inherited that instinct for using its voice to announce anything unusual. Blame their exceptional hearing and territorialness too. When your chihuahua rings, know it’s just doing what its ancestors did for centuries.

They Get Nervous and Scared

Surprising noises like phones ringing, knocks at the door, and video calls can frighten chihuahuas. Their first instinct is to warn you or scare away the “threat”.

Additionally, chihuahuas form tight bonds with their very few family members. Any unanticipated noise sparks concern something is amiss with their beloved humans or home territory.

Unfortunately excessive ringing from nervousness or fear can lead to neurotic anxiety behaviors developing over time. That’s why it’s critical to gently train them ringing isn’t necessary every time there’s a odd noise.

Loneliness and Boredom Too

Don’t underestimate how substantially loneiness and boredom motivates a chihuahua to ring constantly. This intelligent and affectionate little breed needs plenty of mental stimulation and quality time with their adored people.

Without enough activity or attention, they'll begin barking, howling, ringing excessively to demand your companionship and playtime. Be sure to spend at least 30-60 minutes daily fully focused interacting, training, or exercising your chihuahua.

Managing Excessive Ringing

While you probably won’t eliminate the ringing completely, you can curb too frequent or intense episodes. Here’s 5 tips to better manage the unique vocal styling of your ringing Chihuahua.

Desensitize Slowly

Work on slowly getting your chihuahua more comfortable with typical noises that trigger ringing. Start by playing recordings of doorbells and phones very softly, then reward them with treats and praise for calm behavior. Over many sessions, gradually increase the volume as they remain composed.

Distract Immediately

When your chihuahua starts up with ringing or howling mania, immediately capture their attention. Wave a toy, offer a puzzle feeder with hidden kibble, or initiate a training session. Praise them the moment they stop. This teaches them ringing results in withdrawal of your attention.

Teach a "Quiet" Cue

Invest time into teaching your chihuahua a "quiet" or "enough" command. When they ring, calmly say it, then reward their silence with affection and goodies. Eventually they’ll learn to settle down when given this cue in midst of worked up ringing.

Avoid Comforting Excessively

It’s natural to want to swoop up and comfort your loudly ringing chihuahua. But this can reinforce the behavior. Instead remain neutral, then reward moments of quiet. This avoids encouraging attention-seeking ringing.

Stay Mentally Stimulated

Make sure your chihuahua gets sufficient physical and mental exercise daily. Boredom and too much pent up energy contributes greatly to neurotic ringing. Engage their brilliant little minds with training games and food puzzle toys too.

With time and patience using positive reinforcement techniques, you can temper episodes of excessive chihuahua ringing. Don’t forget to celebrate their success and adorable uniqueness as well!

FAQs

Why does my chihuahua make such weird noises when the phone rings?

The unusual vocalizations chihuahuas produce is due to their ancestry as alarm dogs for ancient civilizations. They haven't been selectively bred to bark like other dog breeds. So they express alarms in airy whines, growls, and monkey-like noises that sound odd to humans.

How can I train my chihuahua to stop excessive ringing?

Use positive reinforcement training to desensitize them to noises, distract when ringing starts, teach a "quiet" cue, avoid comforting excessively, and ensure they get sufficient daily mental & physical stimulation.

Why does my chihuahua ring all day long?

Excessive all day ringing likely indicates an understimulated, anxious, or frightened chihuahua. Make sure to give them plenty of quality attention daily. Additionally, consult a veterinarian to address potential health issues contributing to chronic ringing.

Are chihuahuas just naturally yappy dogs?

Yes, it's in their genes to be vocal watchdogs that alert with ringing and howling. However, training can temper unnecessary ringing urges. Be patient - they can learn to settle down with consistent positive reinforcement methods over time.