I need you to mentally prepare before watching this, because I did not and nearly jumped out of my chair. Bailey is an 11-pound Shih-Tzu standing next to a bed, fully capable of jumping, but instead, he’s choosing to unleash a scream so loud and so human-sounding that it triggered my internal emergency alert system. Not a bark. Not a whine. A full “someone just took my iPad away” meltdown.
The first time I played it with the volume up, my husband came rushing into the room, asking where the crazy screaming kid was. There was no kid. Just Bailey. Tiny, fluffy, and absolutely livid with outrage that gravity exists and he must personally overcome it. So yes, turn your volume up… unless you’re at work, in a library, or anywhere that being quiet matters, because this dog will absolutely get you side-eyed by strangers. MOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
@screamingbailey8 shared this clip and captioned it: “He could jump” and then simply “11 pounds,” which somehow makes the whole situation funnier. He sounds like a 40-pound toddler who just discovered betrayal. One commenter deadpanned, “Well, at least he doesn’t overreact,” while another translated the noise perfectly as “MOOOOOOOMMMMMM.” Someone else pleaded, “Pick him up for goodness’ sake,” which honestly feels like the correct course of action at that point.
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“I ain’t ever seen a dog scream like that before,” one viewer admitted. Another asked if Bailey was even a Shih-Tzu, which is fair, because the decibel level suggests a much larger, much angrier animal. Shih-Tzus, however, are professional drama queens. My boss, Mary, has one named Tito, and she would absolutely confirm that these dogs come preloaded with zero chill. It’s Tito’s world; we all just live in it. It’s a good thing that Shih-Tzus are pretty adorable little creatures.
Meanwhile, my Maine Coon Meatball doesn’t scream—he just sits directly on my chest at 3 a.m. until I wake up, which is arguably more effective and a lot more painful.
Are Shih-Tzus Really Dramatic?
Yes. Absolutely, yes. Shih-Tzus were bred to be companion dogs, meaning their entire purpose is interacting with humans, preferably while being adored constantly. When that attention is delayed, denied, or insufficiently enthusiastic, many will escalate quickly.
They’re also famous for the “Shih-Tzu stomp,” where they plant their tiny feet and stomp in protest like a disgruntled little landlord collecting rent. It’s not aggression; it’s their own furry little temper tantrum until they get their way.
If You Thought This Was a Fluke, Think Again
In another clip, Bailey delivers a nearly identical scream because he wants to be lifted onto a chair. Not because he can’t. Because he shouldn’t have to. Watching him ramp up from mild grumble to full siren mode is both hilarious and slightly awe-inspiring, like witnessing a fire alarm discover feelings.
The lesson here is clear: If you adopt a Shih-Tzu, you are not getting a quiet roommate. You are getting a tiny, fluffy opera singer with very specific demands and zero shame about expressing them.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.