Deserved or not, chihuahuas have a reputation for being whiny creatures. They are highly emotional, expressive dogs that are loyal to a fault. The flip side of this is that they tend to be highly whiny and emotional, which is a pain on an owner’s heartstrings and eardrums.
Many chihuahuas cry at night, when they have been separated from their owners, or when they are upset. Some chihuahuas become spoiled and then whine for attention. Other times, constant crying could be a sign that there is something physically wrong with your chihuahua.
Even if you know that frequent crying is common for the breed, it can still be distressing to hear your dog when it’s upset. Here are a few reasons why your chihuahua could be crying as well as ways that you can correct that behavior.
Why Chihuahuas Cry So Much
There are a few different reasons why any dog, including a chihuahua, would cry. Many dogs cry when they get hurt, for example, if someone steps on their paw. They will also cry if they are separated from their owners, feel lonely, or are otherwise upset. Although dogs do not feel the same emotions humans do, they can feel pain and sadness.
Puppies in particular are prone to crying when they enter a new home. After a warm beginning with their mother and all their siblings, entering a strange new home where they’re suddenly expected to sleep in a crate can be quite a shock! Chihuahua puppies are no different and the adjustment period can take several months before they stop crying.
Some dogs also learn that crying can get them their beloved prize—attention and treats. Chihuahuas in particular are highly intelligent and quickly realize that they can get their way if they cry or otherwise play with their human’s heart. If your chihuahua keeps crying but you do not notice anything wrong, then you might have been fooled by a pint-sized scammer.
Chihuahuas have a reputation for whining more than other dogs, and it is often true. One theory about why this happens is that chihuahuas were bred to be attached to one person, which means that they are more prone to separation anxiety than other dogs. This means that a short absence that could be routine for another dog could be devastating to a chihuahua, setting off a period of whining.
Your chihuahua’s crying could be annoying to you, but more often than not, it just means that the dog misses you!
Do Chihuahuas Cry Tears?
When people talk about dogs crying, it is a bit of a misnomer. When dogs cry, they howl and produce other heart-rending noises. While they do have functioning tear ducts just like humans do, they do not cry actual tears when they feel emotion.
However, many chihuahua owners see their dogs crying real tears or find reddish-brown stains under the dog’s eyes. This does not mean that your dog was just feeling sad. Chihuahua’s tears are often a sign of underlying health issues.
Chihuahuas are genetically prone to several eye conditions that cause watery eyes, including severe diseases such as glaucoma or conjunctivitis. However, the most common cause of eye discharge or epiphora is a blockage of the tear ducts. There could be something in your chihuahua’s eyes that is irritating it, although these dogs are also genetically prone to deformed eyelids that can block tear ducts.
Some dogs also get watery eyes because they have allergies. Dogs can be allergic to pollen just like humans are.
If you notice that your chihuahua’s eyes are watering, take it to the veterinarian, who can diagnose the underlying issue and give you medication to help treat the problem. You should also wipe away the tearing residue from under your chihuahua’s eyes once or twice a day. If you do not clean their eyes enough, your chihuahua could develop a yeast infection near their eyes.
What to Do When Your Chihuahua Whines at Night
Once you’ve eliminated any medical issues that could be causing the crying, the trigger is probably behavioral. This behavior often comes to a head at night, particularly with puppies. Many chihuahua owners report sleepless nights because their pets will not stop crying!
Your chihuahua can’t talk, so whining is often the best way they have to express fear or discomfort. Try to identify the cause of the whining to help your chihuahua. Many resort to crying if they need to go to the bathroom, so try to take them out at night before bedtime.
Chihuahuas are particularly prone to separation anxiety because of their breeding, and this anxiety often comes to a head at night. However, the solution is not to let your chihuahua sleep in bed with you or pay attention to them until they stop whining. This will only teach your dog maladaptive behaviors when you should be helping them learn how to self-soothe.
Crate Training and Night Whining
One way to help your chihuahua sleep through the night is to crate train them. Teaching your chihuahua to sleep in a crate from an early age helps them deal with separation anxiety by creating a secure space that is only their own. This will also be helpful if you need to leave your chihuahua at home while you’re at work or take them to a kennel during vacation.
When crate-training your chihuahua, you first need to prepare the crate. It should be big enough that the dog can get up and walk around, but small enough that it feels cozy. Make the crate comfortable by including blankets, toys, some of your clothing so the chihuahua can smell you, and treats.
Crate training will be difficult at first, and your chihuahua may cry. Try taking them out a few times to see if they need the bathroom, then do your best to ignore them. Eventually, they will learn to self-soothe. It can also help if you keep the crate in your room or within your sight at first so the dog can be reassured that you’re still there.
Finally, many chihuahuas cry at night because they are bored, particularly if you crate them. Play with your dog right before bedtime to stimulate it and help it work off that excess nervous energy. Then, it is more likely that it will sleep through the night or be able to self-soothe.
Crate training can help chihuahuas prone to crying even during the daytime. Having a secure space benefits dogs that are insecure and prone to anxiety because inside, they do not need to be on alert all the time. One of the main reasons behind chihuahuas’ whining is their insecurity (aka small dog syndrome), which a crate can help combat.
Some Other Training Tips
Chihuahuas benefit from strong routines and rigorous training because it soothes their anxiety and gives them structure. Here are a few ways to train your chihuahua and combat unwanted behavior such as whining and crying.
Some chihuahuas use whining as a way to get attention, particularly if they feel as if they have to compete with other dogs or children. If you notice your chihuahua doing this, take it to a safe place such as its crate to cry it out once it starts whining. When it is done whining, reward it with treats and plenty of affection.
Chihuahuas also benefit from obedience training because it helps them feel secure in their position within a household, particularly if there are other dogs around. Teach your chihuahua simple tricks, such as sitting down when waiting for a meal, or take an obedience course.
Finally, your chihuahua could be whining because it is not getting enough attention or exercise. Be sure to regularly play with your chihuahua and take it for walks, particularly before bedtime so it will be too tired to whine at night. This breed is endlessly loyal and its devotion should be rewarded with affection.
Final Thoughts on Chihuahuas and Crying
There are many benefits to owning a chihuahua, but peace and quiet are not among them. These dogs are more prone to crying than other breeds for a variety of reasons, many of them genetic due to the breed’s history.
While dogs do not cry the same way that humans do (usually canine crying consists of whining and other noises), many chihuahuas do leak tears and have tear stains under their eyes. This is not a sign of emotion but a sign of an underlying medical condition that could be affecting their tear ducts, such as allergies or pink eye. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice them crying real tears or with reddish-brown stains under their eyes.
Crying and whining are often behavioral issues. A chihuahua may be trying to communicate that it is feeling anxious, wants to be closer to you, or is attempting to manipulate you for attention. Listening to your dog’s needs while maintaining a firm training routine can help minimize this behavior and lead to a smooth relationship.