Why Are Pitbulls So Vocal? 5 Causes and Their Solutions
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As a Pitbull owner, you’ll have a big smile on your face when I tell you your furry friend can live between 12–14 years on average. But some owners will most likely do anything to stop their pitbull from barking excessively for that long.
So, why are Pitbulls so vocal?
Your Pitbull could be vocal because he’s feeling overly protective of you, bored, scared, triggered, excited, threatened, if something unexpected happens, or in some cases if he wasn’t given enough training not to bark at every moving thing.
Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what your Pitbull wants. Keep scrolling to know more about different sounds your dog makes, and after reading you’ll be very good at decoding.
6 Sounds Pitbulls make and their meanings
Dogs in general are very good at communicating with their fellow humans. They can express their needs, wants, and fears by using body language and vocalization.
Let’s look at the different sounds your dog could be making and what they mean;
Continuous barking
If your dog is barking non-stop, this is probably caused by anxiety, well we also talk too much when we’re anxious so it makes sense.
Whining
Whining is a very common sound in dogs, and it may be translated as a sign of fear, stress, or pain.
Your dog is simply trying to get your attention, so make sure you give him some.
Howling
Don’t worry your Pitbull isn’t a part-time wolf. Howling in dogs is often triggered by external noises like a car siren in the street, or the sound of your kid’s toy.
Some people are surprised that pitbulls, and dogs in general, can howl, but they can and they do. Here is a video of a dog howling:
Growling
Growling is a pretty common sound in dogs yet misunderstood. It can mean that your dog is either scared or feeling playful depending on how lucky you are!
| Growl Type | Body language/ Signs | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive | 1. Flattened ears. 2. Raised fur 3. Visible teeth | A serious attack may follow the person or the object. |
| Playful | 1. Ears up 2. Tail up 3. Mouth open 4. Exposed tongue | It’s time to have FUN! |
Whimpering/Yelping
Puppies use this sound to interact with their mothers to get their attention and ask for food. So, if you find your dog whimpering, this may be for one of the following reasons.
- Asking for your attention.
- Hungry
- Bored
- Illness (in some cases)
Sleeping noises
If you hear noises while your pup is sleeping, that’s a good sign. Soft sleeping sounds mean that your puppy is in deep sleep accompanied by some muscle twitching and fast breathing.
Your puppy is good and probably thanking you for your comfortable bed.
Why is your Pitbull barking aggressively?
We call it territorial barking. When your Pitbull is barking aggressively looking all alert and triggered this means that his territory is being threatened by another person or animal.
How to get your pitbull to quiet down?
We know you love your Pitbull, but sometimes he can be too much, and we know that that’s why we brought you some guidelines to help your dog tune it down.
Fix the main issue
You think your dog is being vocal for no reason, but if you look around, we’re sure you’ll find something triggering your dog. Check your dog’s health to make sure he is not trying to tell you something, or your neighbor’s dog that’s probably picking on him.
Exercise
A dog with too much energy can be a time bomb, luckily you are in control. Dogs naturally have loads of energy and don’t just need to be let out 2-3 days a week; but every day.
If you’re not free, which is understandable; you can assign someone to walk your dog every day for at least 30 min.
Your Pitbull’s daily activity depends on many factors, such as his age, physique, and training goal. Here’s a brief guide to help you manage your puppy’s activity time.
It’s advised you don’t do any outdoor activity for your puppy before the age of 3 months.
| Puppy’s age | Times / day | Activity duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | Twice | 15 min |
| 4 months | Twice | 20 min |
| 5 months | Twice | 25 min |
Love and attention
Attention is your dog’s love language, that’s how they know you love them.
Cuddling, chasing, hiding, patting, and all forms of giving attention, so make sure to give your furry friend the attention they need to avoid unnecessary barking.
The “quiet” command
If you’re familiar with dog training, you’ll find that it is very easy to train your dog to stop barking by saying the “Quite’’ command. Keep in mind that training can be a very hard process if you’re not consistent.
Remember: consistency is Key.
Don’t yell at your dog
Have you ever thought you could be the reason why your dog doesn’t stop barking?
Remember, your attention = A Reward, so when you talk back to your dog. He’s like “I knew you’d like it; I’ve been working on my bark all night”.
On the other hand, Ignoring = Oh! I think I made a mistake. See, easy.
For the right way to correct your dog’s bad behaviors, check out my complete and simple guide to disciplining a pitbull the right way here.
Should you ignore your Pitbull barking?
It is never a good idea to ignore your dog’s barking unless you’re sure that your dog isn’t trying to tell you something. Other than that, if you’re sure everything is fine and he’s just trying to get your attention when he’s bored or overly excited. We listed different ideas to ignore your dog’s excessive barking.
3 Ways to Ignore Your Dog:
- Don’t make eye contact.
- Don’t pat or touch him even if you think you are calming them.
- Don’t talk to them, by doing that you’re giving them the attention they want.
Anxiety in Dogs
Anxiety is a mental state your furry friend may experience that you can easily identify and help him get over it, by just looking for some common signs.
If you are usually not at home, he may start howling or barking so excessively that your neighbor may think something is wrong. When you get home, look for the following signs.
- Shivering
- Digging
- Standing in one corner of the house
- Destroying your furniture
- Urinating excessively
- Biting in a form of “self-harm”
Veterinarians may refer to this type of anxiety as “Separation Anxiety”, which can easily be treated by giving your furry friend a good cuddle or taking him for a walk when you get home.
Who is the perfect owner for a Pitbull?
If you’re considering getting a Pitbull to fill out your life. Let me tell you that’s a GREAT choice, not only that Pitbulls are great for family life, but they’re also known for being gentle and playful with children.
You’ll never have to worry about your kids being around their guardian as long as he has been given the appropriate training
You may want to consider a backyard for your future friend, let me tell you; they are full of energy. So, you better allow him to get rid of excess energy.
What to do on your first day with your new Pitbull puppy?
Your first day with your puppy can be rough, but you know, good rough. No matter how excited you are, you’ll find a tiny poop on your favorite carpet.
7 tips to help you survive your first day with your puppy:
- Prepare your home in advance
- Buy water and food bowls
- Buy a collar
- Buy high-quality puppy food
- Check for a good veterinarian in the area in case of an emergency.
- Get yummy treats for puppy training
- Buy a comfortable bed
Now, you’re all set and ready to go. Keep in mind to give your Pitbull sufficient physical and mental training at a young age to avoid boredom and excessive barking. Make sure you give him a good cuddle every now and then.
Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog is a happy owner.
Related Questions
Are Pitbulls noisy?
If you’re looking for a breed that’s not a big fan of Noise including theirs, then Pitbull is the right dog for you because They rarely Howl or bark, which is, let’s say every owner’s dream quality in their dog.
When your Pitbull barks, there’s something wrong you need to check. They simply don’t bark unless provoked.
Why do Pitbulls groan?
Pitbulls sometimes groan, this is simply some way for your dog to communicate with you as they did with their mother. Groaning in dogs means wanting attention to be petted or rubbed, or it’s their way of telling you “I’m not feeling comfortable”.
Keep in mind that in case your dog is aging you may hear him groan more than a younger dog to communicate that he’s not feeling well. That is when you should consider contacting his veterinarian. You should always consult the veterinarian if your puppy’s groaning is caused by anxiety.
Why do Pitbulls make weird noises?
These weird noises from your Pitbull that are a combination of honking, hiccupping, and reverse sneezing are caused by a type of irritation in the throat which sometimes leads to those noises. Luckily, it is an easily treated irritation when discovered in the early stages.
Helpful sources:
What Do Different Types of Dog Sounds Mean?
Canine Communication: Deciphering Different Dog Sounds
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