Some dogs get nighttime zoomies because they didn't receive a sufficient amount of rest during the day. Sort of like a grumpy, overly-tired child, the puppy becomes restless and needs to expend energy before collapsing into a deep sleep.
Why does this witching hour occur? Well dogs are crepuscular, meaning they are most alert at dawn and nightfall. Thus, dogs are more alert and ready for action at that time, which is in stark contrast to humans, most of which hate mornings (especially Mondays!) and want to just rest in the evenings.
Zoomies also happen quite often at night. Especially with puppies who have been crated all day or have not been given enough opportunities to exercise. As soon as they get the chance to run around, they take it. Even adult dogs get the zoomies, although the younger the dog the more frequently it seems to occur.
In dogs, sundowners syndrome is part of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which can also be called doggie dementia. All of these terms describe a slow process of cognitive decline which occurs in older dogs. It is a recognized medical condition, not just “normal aging” or “slowing down.”
Thunderstorms and fireworks are several examples of loud noises that are known to exacerbate a dog's anxiety. Exposure to different environments may also cause them to be fearful. For example, a dog spending the night somewhere new may be extra intimated by their new surroundings and have trouble relaxing.
Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a behavioral syndrome that affects old dogs. Dogs with CCD show behavioral alterations such as disorientation, altered interactions with owners, other pets and the environment, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, house-soiling and changes in activity [14].
The adolescent period typically begins around six months of age, and will be over when a dog reaches physical maturity around two to three years old. The most pronounced behavioral issues will be noticed between six to 12 months old.
Exercise your dog physically and mentally
If your pup is alone too much during the day, have a trusted friend or hire someone to walk him and play with him during the day. This way he won't have so much pent-up energy at night.
Pet or Massage Your Dog To Relax Them
By petting or massaging your dog in a calming way, you can help their muscles relax. In order to fully calm them down, it is best to avoid any more excited petting that could make them less tired. Instead, focus on long and soft pets through their fur.
If it's really bad, get a few treats and lure him in to his crate for a 5-minute time out. ~ Make sure your puppy isn't 'hangry'. As your puppy grows, and even if she isn't in a growth spurt, she might be hungry and reacting out of frustration. Try feeding your puppy more for dinner, or a snack around 7pm.
Insufficient mental stimulation
If your dog's mind isn't sufficiently stimulated during the day, he may get the zoomies. Not having mentally challenging exercises during the day set him up for night-time zoomies.
It typically occurs daily between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm. It can last a few minutes to a couple of hours. For most babies, the witching hour starts to occur around 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks. It will typically completely resolve by 3-4 months.
So it's important to make sure your dog is well exercised both mentally and physically, and feels safe in the space where they're expected to sleep. Age, social fears, and separation anxiety can be harder to cure quickly, and might require behavioral training or supplements to help them settle at night.
Many dogs can develop a lot of pent-up energy, and when they do not get enough exercise during the day, this could cause them to become restless at night. So while a walk or two around the block to go to the bathroom is some activity, it likely may not be enough to expel their energy, particularly if the dog is larger.
Raised hackles are an undeniable physical sign of your dog's discomfort. Pacing: Your pet might walk back and forth nervously if feeling stressed. Shaking or trembling: This behavior is an obvious sign of dog stress. Whining, barking, or growling: Your pet will often “talk” to you when feeling uncomfortable.
By petting or massaging your dog in a calming way, you can help their muscles relax. In order to fully calm them down, it is best to avoid any more excited petting that could make them less tired. Instead, focus on long and soft pets through their fur.
Move up bedtime to prevent overstimulation
It might sound counter-intuitive, but it works. Often, you can escape the witching hour if you begin to implement an earlier bedtime. It may be several hours earlier than you're used to, but for the most part between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. is typically the sweet spot for newborns.
Being overtired is one of the most common reasons we see puppies exhibit overly bitey and nippy behavior. Young puppies need 16-18 hours of sleep each day.
It's not an unusual issue to have an anxious dog at night. Sometimes it's simply because they're getting older. Or perhaps you recently brought your pup home and they're learning to adjust to a new environment.
Puppies usually have a “witching” hour in the early morning or late evening (this can vary for all puppies). Most puppies tear around the house, engaging in increased levels of mouthing behavior with his/her pet parent or the poor resident dog/cat. Some trainers call this the “zoomies”.
PURPLE crying is a stage that some babies go through when they seem to cry for long periods of time and resist soothing. Your baby may find it hard to settle or calm down no matter what you do for them. The phrase PURPLE crying was coined by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.
The behavior of a colickly baby is markedly different than that of a baby experiencing normal witching hour. The crying is often more intense and the baby is unable to be soothed.