“Dogs often bark during the day for various reasons, but if they bark at night, it can disturb the owner and even neighbors’ sleep, especially in densely populated urban areas. If your dog barks at night, what should you do to stop it?
Pet food brand Pedigree on its website wrote that dogs barking at night is a common behavior issue with many possible reasons. Owners should pay attention to this problem, not only to ensure their own or others’ peaceful sleep but also to improve the dogs’ sleep habits, promoting their overall health and happiness.
Some possible reasons for dogs barking at night include:
– Territorial Instinct and Alertness: Dogs have much keener senses than humans, especially in terms of hearing. They can hear sounds with much higher frequencies than humans, making them more sensitive to any outside noises during the night. Dogs are territorial animals and may bark at night to alert potential threats or intruders to defend their territory, which is your home. In the case of ‘pack barking,’ when one dog starts barking, others may follow. This is a natural behavior in dogs to communicate potential threats to each other.
– Fear and Anxiety: In some cases, your dog may suffer from anxiety. Loud noises can scare dogs, causing them to bark to express their fear and discomfort. Puppies, especially those new to a home and not familiar with the environment, may bark more at night. Separation anxiety is another condition where dogs accustomed to being with you for long periods may bark when separated. Gradually changing the dog’s daily routine can help reduce the risk of anxiety.
– Loneliness and Boredom: Dogs are social and active animals, and if they do not receive enough love and care during the day, they may bark at night out of loneliness or boredom to seek attention. Spending time playing with your dog during the day is essential.
– Health Issues: Your dog may bark at night due to pain, discomfort, or poor health. Pay attention to any other symptoms they may exhibit, and consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Pedigree emphasizes that there are reasons why dogs bark and it is the owner’s responsibility to solve the problem and create a quiet environment to prevent further barking. Never punish dogs for barking, or use aversive therapies or tools such as bark collars or spray bottles.
Some practical tips provided by the company include:
– Positive Reinforcement Training: Positive reinforcement training is the best way to improve dog behavior. To stop dogs from barking at night, do not respond to their barking unless there is a safety concern. Providing a ‘quiet’ command and rewarding the dog with praise, treats, or toys for being quiet is an effective technique.
– Block External Stimuli: Dogs are sensitive to external stimuli, so if their sleeping area is near windows, removing distractions like using blackout curtains or white noise machines can help alleviate anxiety and focus on sleep.
– Evening Walks or Playtime: Taking the dog for a walk or playtime before bed can help release excess energy, making it easier for them to settle down at night. Providing a silent toy for them to play with can also prevent barking for attention.
– Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Establishing a bedtime routine, such as grooming with a suitable brush for their fur, can help dogs relax before sleep. Regular practice of these routines can signal to the dog that it’s time to sleep quietly.
– Comfortable Sleeping Environment: Ensuring that your dog has a comfortable bed with blankets to curl up can make them feel more at ease and less likely to bark for attention.
If the above methods do not stop your dog from barking at night, seek professional advice from a veterinarian.
It is worth noting that a dog that is usually quiet suddenly barking at night may sense something wrong. In the UK, there was a case where a quiet dog barked wildly at midnight, waking up the female owner to perform CPR on the male owner who had a sudden heart attack, saving his life. (For more details, click on the story about the heroic dog in the UK.)”