What causes your dog to bark at night. And how to fix it

You probably have wondered what is causing your dog to bark at night when you are sleeping. This behavior may keep you awake and you may wonder what is causing such behavior in your pet. A number of reasons may explain why your dog barks at night, from hunger to having the wrong diet. In any case, you are not alone and all hope is not lost as there are a number of steps you can take to stop your dog from barking at night. Moreso, taking the time to understand the possible causes of your dog barking at night will help us learn more about what we can do to stop your dog from barking at night. Below are some of the possible causes of your dog's nighttime barking.

 

Hunger

One possible reason your dog could be barking and whining in the nights is that it may not have been getting enough food. It is important, therefore, that you feed your dog in the evenings before retiring to bed. If you are concerned about the need to not overfeed your dog, you may need to feed it a little in the mornings. But ensure that the dog gets enough quantity of food in the evenings. In this case, the dog will sleep for a longer period in the night without barking and not wake you up in-between sleep.

You may have unknowingly encouraged the behaviour

It may interest you to know that your attitude towards your dog might have encouraged her to adopt the behavior of barking in the night. Whenever your dog barks in the night and you give her attention, you are encouraging her to continue with the behavior. And she will likely continue to bark more in order to get your attention. So it is better not to give her attention when it barks in the night. Your attention should be reserved for when she’s not barking in the day.

To alert its owner

Dogs are naturally wired to react violently towards intruders. And one of the ways they do this is by barking at the intruder. The barking is also to alert the owner about any possible danger.

Fresh aroma spray for your dog

 Separation Anxiety

 also bark when they are left alone. If your dog is not used to sleeping or staying alone, anytime you take it to stay alone in another room, it starts  experiencing what is known as separation anxiety. When a dog becomes anxious, they let out their feelings by barking.

Pain

Your dog can also bark in the night if something is making her to feel pain. So if your dog is showing any sign or symptom of pain such as limping, the best thing to do is to take her to a vet.

When it hears noises at night

Another possible reason why your dog may bark at night is because of sounds emanating from outside. It is important to note that dogs have very good hearing better than human’s. And anytime dogs hear strange sounds at night, they react by barking at whatever may be responsible for the sound.

 

 Sounds from other dogs                         Dogs are pack animals and so they quickly react to the behavior of others. If a dog barks at night, it will trigger other dogs within the neighborhood to follow suit believing that whatever is responsible for the barking must be important. This is known as social or group barking.

Change of routine

Once your dog is used to a set of routine, it will react by barking in case there is a change in its routine. For example, if it’s used to sleeping in your room, it will start barking immediately you take her to sleep somewhere else other than your room. Some nights you may want to go to bed early.  If the dog is not used to seeing you go to bed early, it will start barking as a way of trying to understand this confusion.

The need to pee at night

Another possible reason while your dog may bark at night is if she has need to pee. This is the case, especially, with puppies. So it is important that you ensure that the dog urinates in the evening before bedtime.

Age

Like humans, dogs can experience arthritic pain, especially when they become old. The pain causes the dog so much discomfort and forces her to bark in reaction. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort in the day or night as a result of pain in any part of its body, it is best to let a vet examine her.

The wrong diets

Wrong diets could upset your dog’s system and prevent her from sleeping. It is important, therefore, that you monitor what your dog eats and ensure that other people are not feeding your dog outside your knowledge.

 

How to get your dog to stop barking at night?

In order to stop your dog from barking in the nights and to enable you to have a good night sleep, you must follow certain rules which are highlighted below.

Do not pay attention to the dog whenever she starts barking in the night. Doing so will discourage her from continuing with that bad behavior. Dogs are very sensitive. Once you pay her attention anytime it starts barking in the night, it will continue to want more and more attention from you by barking.

Moreover, as much as possible, take your dog out for exercises. This will reduce boredom and the dog will sleep comfortably having been worn out from the exercise. More so, give the dog the right kind of diet and ensure to feed her adequately especially in the evenings so that she doesn’t go hungry and starts barking and whining in the middle of the night.

Watch out for any signs of pain in any part of your dog. Dogs will hardly sleep if they are experiencing any painful sensation. If you notice any symptom of pain such as limping, it is best to see your vet.

The environment where your dog sleeps is also very important to consider. Ensure that your dog is not put in a noisy, hot and claustrophobic environment where it will not have enough room to sleep.