If your dog is barking at night, you may be wondering what to do to stop dog barking at night. It can be annoying, especially if you have to be up early in the morning.
However, there are a number of things you can do to stop dog barking at night. If your dog is barking because of separation anxiety, you need to provide the necessary support and training.
If your dog is barking because of boredom, you need to provide the necessary support, training, and exercise.
How does your dog manage to bark for hours at night? If you’re wondering why your dog is barking at night, you’re not alone: every year, millions of dog owners call their veterinarians with concerns about their pooch’s nighttime barking and how to stop it.
Common Reasons for Late-Night Barking
While it’s not uncommon for dogs to bark, it can make for a sleepless night for their owners. Most of the time, late-night barking is the result of boredom or excitement.
Other times, it may be because they are trying to tell you something—like that there is someone at the door. If you can’t get your dog to stop, there are a few things you can try.
Improper Crate Training
Crate training is a great thing to do with your dog. Not only will it teach them to be calm and quiet, but it will also help them to feel safe and secure in their environment. However, it is important that you are sure to do it the right way, as that can make a world of difference.
Dogs in crates. It’s become a more accepted part of training and housebreaking, but is it right for every puppy in every situation? In fact, there are several reasons you might want to rethink the crate, especially when it comes to nighttime.
For starters, dogs often associate the crate with punishment. This is especially true if you use the crate as a form of isolation, rather than for the purpose of confinement.
When your dog is feeling anxious or stressed, he’s more likely to react negatively to the crate, not because he’s being disobedient or behaving badly, but because he feels threatened.
Loneliness or Separation Anxiety
Dogs are social animals, meaning they are pack animals. They crave companionship, and when they feel isolated, anxious or scared they will often bark, whine or howl. It is very common for dogs to bark, whine or howl when left alone at night.
It is their way of telling you they are lonely. It is their way of telling you they fear they may never see you again. It is their way of telling you they are scared. They want to be with you. They want to know you are safe. They want to feel secure in their surroundings.
Put a Stop to Nighttime Barking
Barking is only natural in dogs. As you might imagine, it’s a very important method of communication for dogs in the wild (and domesticated dogs are no different in that regard). However, there are times when you might want to (or have to) quiet your dog down.
For instance, if your dog barks at night, it’s disturbing you and your roommates, and it makes it difficult to sleep. It can also be a problem if your dog barks at other dogs or other animals, so much so that their neighbors might call animal control and have your dog taken away.
Increase Exercise and Training
If your dog seems to like barking at noises at night, you’re not alone. Many dogs make a habit of barking overnight, and experts say that this problem can be solved. By increasing exercise and training, you can help your dog to stop nighttime barking.
As you begin to exercise your dog more and give him more commands, he will learn important behaviors that will help him to stop barking. For example, you should teach your dog to lie down when he hears a noise. By lying down, your dog will be less likely to bark, since the action requires less energy.
Remove Your Attention At Night
A recent study conducted on dogs showed a link between barking and being left alone (for a period of time) at night. The study conducted on dogs that are left alone at night showed that the dogs have separation anxiety.
The study didn’t say if the dogs had separation anxiety before they were left alone at night. The study showed that a majority of dogs that were left at home alone at night barked. The study also showed that if the dogs were left alone outside they didn’t bark as much as the dogs inside.
Make nighttime trips as calm as possible
When traveling with your furry friend, the last thing you want to deal with is a dog that won’t stop barking. After all, the trip is supposed to be fun, and you shouldn’t have to stress about whether or not your dog is going to bark the entire time you are gone.
But, while it’s easy to keep your pet calm and quiet when the two of you are at home, it’s not so easy to do this when you’re on the road.
Choose designated dinner and bedtimes
There are a few good reasons to get your dog on a schedule. First and foremost, it will make your life a lot easier, by helping you keep your dog in line and making your life more predictable.
Second, it will reduce the amount of anxiety your dog will feel by making sure there is a set time for their needs to be met. And finally, many dogs really thrive on a schedule and feel much more secure and happier when they know what to expect.
Can Cold Weather Cause Dogs to Bark at Night?
Labrador dogs in cold climate may bark at night due to feeling discomfort from the low temperature. Cold weather can make them restless and anxious, leading to excessive barking. Providing them with a warm and cozy shelter, along with regular exercise, can help alleviate their nighttime barking behavior.
Last Words
Dogs bark! Although it can be frustrating and annoying when your dog decides to bark for no reason, most dogs bark because they want something. Usually, when a dog barks, it’s to get attention, to let you know someone is at the door, or to express excitement. If your dog barks at night, it’s usually because he feels the need to protect you and your home, or he might be bored.
