Dogs will often bark at night when they are lonely. This is especially true if you work all day away from the home and your dog is alone all day. Your dog is a social animal. Long workdays can be just as hard on them as they are on you!
Barking at night can be for a number of reasons, it could be that your dog isn't feeling well, needs the bathroom, is bored or nervous or maybe just responding to noises in the environment. Punishment or intimidation to stop your dog expressing themselves can increase anxiety and make the behaviour worse.
If the dog wakes because of hunger or boredom, then he may decide to bark and see what happens. Simple ways to promote him sleeping through include giving a small snack about half an hour before bedtime, and then letting the dog out for a comfort break immediately before lights out.
Your dog may be seeking your attention, bored, anxious, frustrated, greeting you, raising an alarm, or establishing/defending territory. What is your dog trying to tell you? Here's a quick guide to help you better understand your furry companion's barking.
Why Do Dogs Bark? Dogs rarely bark without a reason. Behaviorists categorize barking into the following categories: attention barking, separation anxiety, fear/territorial/protection, and excitement.
Boredom, restlessness, fear, and separation anxiety are all common reasons that your dog might bark and whine while you're gone.
Don't Give In to Attention-seeking Behavior
If your dog barks to get attention or stimulation, the most tried-and-true method for curbing this behavior is to ignore it. Common mistakes owners make when their dogs bark at night include: Petting the dog. Speaking in a soothing tone.
Adjust their schedule.
If your pet is constantly waking you up at 3 am because they are hungry, then adjusting their feeding schedule can help them sleep throughout the night. Or your dog may be waking you up because they have to go outside to use the bathroom.
Dogs who lack appropriate mental or physical stimulation during the day are also prone to early waking or overnight barking; it gives them something to do and is guaranteed to get attention from their owners.
If you believe your dog is barking simply to get your attention, try to ignore them. Regular exercise and the use of puzzle toys can keep your dog occupied during a work call or when you're watching TV.
Dogs can get tired of barking, especially when it's excessive. And while both your pup and you may be exhausted by their barking, you shouldn't let it continue with no explanation until they call it quits. It's important to figure out what triggered the barking in case an underlying condition is a cause.
Unlike their human companions, dogs aren't able to shut out noise and distraction as easily before bed. According to Dr. Barrack, this is because dogs have such acute hearing. “Although your home or apartment might be very quiet to you, a dog can be extremely sensitive to outside noises and bark in response.
Asserting boundaries & defense. One of the major reasons why street dogs bark at night is also for dominance & defense. Loud barking, crying or howling are ways in which streeties mark and protect their boundaries against other dogs.
You may have to resort to contacting the police. Barking dogs are probably not high on their priority list, and you'll have to provide them with a written record of everything you've done so far. But they may issue a warning or citation to your neighbor.
They Have Been Inactive or Sleeping
If a puppy or dog does not get enough exercise during the day, they may become hyper at night, trying to burn off their excess energy. Puppies and dogs who do not get enough exercise may also develop behavioral problems, including anxiety and aggression.
Create a nighttime routine: TV off, hallway light off, outside light off, etc. This will let them know that they have to go potty because you are headed to bed. Try to wake up before they do. If they can wake you to potty, then they will learn that waking you up gets a reward of a bladder release.
Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of overdose.
Not only down to routine changes stress at night can also be linked to your dog's health. If your dog becomes anxious at night time it may also be the result of underlying medical conditions. As a dog ages, an older dog may start suffering from doggy dementia, known as CDS cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
ANSWER: Over the years we've crate trained dozens of puppies. In our experience, most puppies stop barking in the crate at night after the first 5-7 days. However, there have been outliers. Our first guide dog puppy, Stetson took four weeks before he stopped barking in the crate at night.
Night-time noisiness
If your dog is elderly and has started barking far more often, at odd times (such as the middle of the night), or if the sound of his bark has changed, seek veterinary attention so that serious conditions, such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), may be ruled out or treated.
When dealing with anxious barking, it is absolutely critical to avoid using aversives (shock collars, etc.), since these will only increase the dog's level of stress. Instead, use dog-friendly methods, such as counterconditioning and desensitization (CC&D), to teach your dog to accept the triggers more calmly.
Generally, this behavior is a result of your dog trying to get attention or another need met. If your dog is barking at you excessively, ignore your dog's barking and reward what you do want – the quiet moments between barking, engaging with toys etc. When your dog stops barking, praise and reward your dog.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Examples of excessive barking can include: frequent intermittent barking over lengthy periods; sustained barking over more than a minute or two; barking early in the morning or late at night.