Why Do Pugs Scream? 10 Common Reasons

Have you ever been frightened by a sudden screaming sound, only to realize that it is coming from your Pug? If you have noticed this strange behavior from your dog and are wondering what causes it, read on, as we list several likely reasons that it could be happening so you can understand your pet better.

The 10 Reasons Pugs Scream

1. Watching TV

Almost as strange as the screaming sound is one reason for it: watching TV. The flashes on the screen and loud noises can send a Pug into a frenzy that causes them to start screaming. Some owners also believe that the lack of smell coming from the sights and sounds confuses the dog’s senses and contributes to their screaming.

What Can I Do About It?

If your Pug is screaming continuously while watching television, you might need to limit their exposure, especially if the screaming seems to be coming from a place of stress instead of joy. Turning down the volume can also help, especially if what’s on the screen includes explosions or gunfights.

2. Separation Anxiety

One common reason that Pugs start screaming is separation anxiety. These dogs form a strong bond with their owners and tend to follow them around, keeping close by their side. If you need to leave the house for work or run to the store, there is a chance that your pet will start screaming.

What Can I Do About It?

Try not to get angry with your dog for screaming due to separation anxiety, and attempt to limit your time away. Spend a few minutes cuddling and treating your pet when you get home, so your return is a fun experience that the dog can anticipate. Getting a second pet to keep them company can also help, as can hiring a sitter to check in on them while you’re away and to keep them entertained.

3. Pain

If your Pug starts to scream out of nowhere with no clear cause, your dog may be in pain. Other signs that your pet might be in pain include a lack of appetite, sleeping more than usual, and strange behavior.

What Can I Do About It?

If you think that your Pug has an injury that is causing them to scream, the best thing to do is take them to the vet immediately to have them looked over.

4. Fear

Screaming is a defense mechanism for Pugs when they get scared, and they will start doing it to let you know that there is a problem. Since they are small, it’s easy for large and loud objects to frighten them.

What Can I Do About It?

If you notice that your dog is frightened, you can help them relax by talking calmly to them and playing with them a bit to help take their mind off any problems that they are having. If you see what’s causing the problem, you can try removing or eliminating it.

5. Over Excitement

Pugs are emotional animals, and if they are happy and excited by a surprise visit or a new toy, they might start to scream with happiness. Many dogs will also start to scream with excitement when you return home from work or otherwise being away.

What Can I Do About It?

While it’s great to see your pet happy, if they seem to be over-excited about everything, they might not be getting enough exercise. Giving them more to do during the day can help burn off excess energy and reduce the number of times that your pet gets overexcited. Dog puzzles are a great way to keep them mentally stimulated without causing them to run around too much.

6. Bathing

Taking a bath is something that can cause fear in many dogs, especially the Pug, which is not a natural swimmer due to the shape of their head. They might start screaming when you get them in the tub and won’t stop until you take them out.

What Can I Do About It?

We recommend slowly training your dog to go into the water with treats and plenty of praise. It can be a slow process, but if you move carefully and stay consistent, it’s not that difficult. It’s best to start when the dog is still a puppy. Start in the tub, or use a doggy pool with very little or no water. Then, add water as the dog gets used to it and behaves comfortably until there is enough to bathe them or even take them swimming.

7. Car Rides

A car’s fast movement can easily excite your Pug, and combined with the happiness that they feel about going along with you for the ride, they will often start to scream uncontrollably. It’s also possible that the car scares the dog and brings about the screaming

What Can I Do About It?

Give your pet time to sniff out the car to get familiar and comfortable with it before you go anywhere. Then, take only short slow rides, increasing speed and distance when the dog feels comfortable.

8. Vet Visits

A vet visit combines the car ride with meeting strangers who poke and prod at them, so you can expect plenty of screaming from your Pug, as they are likely overexcited and afraid.

What Can I Do About It?

Unfortunately, there is likely not much that you can do about the many triggers that can cause your dog to scream when visiting the vet. Try to keep them calm with soft talk, treats, and cuddles. You might also be able to distract them with toys.

9. Nail Clipping

Many Pugs start to scream when you or a groomer attempts to cut their nails. It could be the clippers’ clicking sound or how they feel against the dog’s nails, but whatever the reason, many dogs will scream until you finish.

What Can I Do About It?

Unfortunately, there is little that you can do to prevent your Pug from screaming whenever you try to cut their nails, but speaking softly and holding them so they are comfortable can help. Use high-quality nail clippers, and give the dog plenty of treats when finished.

10. Nightmare

Unfortunately, Pugs occasionally have nightmares, which can cause them to wake up suddenly and scream. It can be especially jarring to the owner because it frequently happens at night and has no visible cause. These nightmares are more likely to occur if the dog has experienced trauma.

What Can I Do About It?

Unfortunately, you can’t control the dreams of your pets any more than you can control your own. However, being there for your dog with pets, snuggles, and soft speaking can help them relax enough to forget the dream and go back to sleep.

Final Thoughts

Your Pug may start screaming if they are startled, afraid, excited, or in pain. Loud noises easily scare most dogs, as does fast movement, whether they’re watching it or experiencing it. Your dog may get scared if you are doing something strange, like clipping their nails, and they might scream if they are hurt. That said, many Pugs will also scream out of happiness if they get a new toy or when you return home from a long work day.

Featured Image Credit: MishuHanda, Pixabay