There's nothing quite like drifting off to sleep at the end of a long day, completely relaxed. Then you are suddenly brought back to reality by your dog barking at night for no apparent reason. At first you think it's theft, but after a few days you realize there's nothing out there. This can be very frustrating, but you never know what's going on until you get up to check what's going on.
A research study found that nighttime barking is more common in younger dogs, especially herding breeds. Barking at night and waking up early is a common behavior in puppies and older dogs. Excessive barking from your dog is annoying and can get you into trouble with your neighbors. All dog owners need to have coping strategies for dogs that bark at night.
Index
Why is my dog suddenly barking at night?
There are three main types of possibilities why dogs suddenly bark at night. The dog does not always bark without a reason.
This can be for behavioral, environmental, or medical reasons.
1. behavior
The first thing to look for is possible behavioral reasons why the dog suddenly barks at night. If you've spent a lot of time with the dog during the day, he may become anxious or frustrated if he's separated at night. Sudden barking at night is one way the dog is trying to tell you he wants to be by your side.
You can choose to let the dog into the bedroom, but it's a tacky approach since you're just covering it up. You need to help the dog become more confident when left alone, even when you are at home. Some strategies to achieve this include:
- steps– this is a great way to help the dog feel more secure, but at the same time create distance.
- Combine absence with something he loves– Treats like chew toys last a while. It won't take long for the dog to get used to being alone.
- Slow down– a dog that is very calm by itself for a few minutes is better than a very excited one.
- Schedule a separate time-when the dog is tired or full; He's much more likely to fall asleep at night and not bark.
2nd doctor
The second reason why the dog barks at night could be due to health reasons. It can include anything related to physical well-being and medical issues. Some of the questions include;
The dog has to pee or poop
There are many reasons your dog might need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. If you can't get them out of the room you won't be shocked why they withdraw at night. However, dogs that have exercised and gone for a walk at the end of the day may hold back their urine until morning. Some reasons for this challenge are:
- Stomach pain from something the dog has eaten- could be new foods or treats or something unidentifiable they ate while cleaning up. Usually, most stomach symptoms go away on their own, but if there is no change after 24 hours, contact your veterinarian.
- Drank more fluids than usual– If the weather is hot or the dog walks a lot before bed, he will probably drink more fluids than usual. If this becomes an ongoing problem, you may need to change routine or switch to walking on a leash instead of running.
- It wasn't before bed– This is common in younger dogs who are easily distracted when left outside. They never manage to use the toilet before returning. It could also be raining outside and the dog is afraid of getting wet and barking. It helps if you put a dog on a leash to supervise them and make sure everything is okay before they go to bed.
- Fed later than usual– If the dog is outside of the daily routine, it means that he was fed later than usual. Going to the toilet will also be postponed to a later date. To fix this, use a lighter remedy when feeding is delayed.
The dog barks because it is getting old
As dogs age, age-related cognitive decline can set in and cause them to suddenly bark at night. Many dogs start barking at night because of a change in behavior. One way it shows this is by barking more than usual and being anxious when separated from family.
The dog barks in pain or discomfort
People also suffer from back pain or headaches and cannot sleep. If the dog has joint pain, it is best to invest in a good bed that offers the dog the necessary comfort.
3. Environment
Another reason a dog might suddenly bark at night is a change in the environment that the human senses cannot perceive. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and can sniff through sealed, vacuum-packed bags. They also have an insanely amazing sense of hearing and can sense movement outside even if they can't see it. This means there could be things outside or inside the home that are causing the dog to react. They include;
- plumbing and heating– Identify noisy water pipes and heater on and off time. The dog may be fast asleep, but when he hears the sound, he suddenly wakes up and barks at night.
- noise from the neighbors– When a neighbor comes home or goes out at night, the dog can even hear a faint noise. He will start barking to let you know something is moving outside.
- other dogs bark– If there are dogs in the neighborhood that bark at night, chances are your dog is part of the night choir.
- Little pests that make noise– There are some other pests in the house like rats which are nocturnal, they sleep during the day and come alive at night. Depending on where you live, there may be other creatures outside, such as foxes, squirrels, coyotes or rabbits. Your movements wake up the dog and make it suddenly bark.
Oftentimes, just having soft music playing in the background overnight can make a big difference as it can mask the noise. Other remedies include heavy curtains to reduce the dog's view of what's going on outside. Also, let the dog sleep in a quiet room.
Reasons why dogs bark in crates
1. Something is wrong with the box
If your dog suddenly barks in the crate, although nothing has been changed, something must be wrong with the crate. You should examine the crate and its surroundings to see if anything is bothering the dog.
2. The box is broken
Sometimes the obvious problems that we least expect arise, such as: B. breaking open the housing. Plastic boxes often break and have sharp edges. You annoy the dog and he has no other way of communicating than by barking. It is best to check the box to make sure there are no sharp edges or broken parts that could injure the dog. Crate inspection should be regular, but don't spoil the organization the dog loves.
3. The box is too small
Sometimes the dog gets too big for his crate and becomes uncomfortable to take a nap and enjoy enough space. When buying a crate, make sure it's a few inches taller than the dog, but not too big for him to create a potty corner.
It is also recommended to buy a box with a wire divider that allows you to manage the size without changing the box. You increase the area the dog uses by moving the divider as the dog grows.
4. Other dogs were in the crate
The purpose of a crate is to keep the dog safe and to be an intimate den that dogs appreciate. Dogs don't like to share their crates or beds, especially when there are no other animals in the house. They have a very sensitive sense of smell and can detect the scent of other animals that have been in the box. That explains why the dog might suddenly hate his crate.
If other dogs have been in your dog's crate, you need to wash them out and get something he smells like. It could be another bed, toy or shirt to make the box feel homey again. Also, try rewarding him with treats and verbal praise for him to accept the box.
5. The crate smells bad for your dog
We often mistake that what smells good to us also smells good to the dog, and that is not the case. In fact, dogs have a more sensitive and powerful sense of smell, and a pleasant and refreshing human smell can be off-putting to them. A strong repulsive smell can suddenly cause the dog in the crate to bark.
The use of strong odors in the kennel should be avoided and if the kennel is exposed it should be cleaned. Choose the detergent wisely as some products have strong odors that can irritate the dog. Use scents that are familiar to the dog.
6. The crate is associated with bad experiences
Dogs value places based on their past experiences, and crate training is helpful in getting the dog to associate the crate with good things. Some owners use the crate to punish the dog, which isn't very smart. The crate should be a safe place for the dog and nothing bad should happen there.
Dogs are intelligent animals and when punished with the crate, they associate the crate with something bad. If the dog hates the crate, use treats and toys and play games in the crate to get the dog enjoying being in the crate again.
How to make the dog stop barking in the crate at night?
In most cases, dogs can start barking in his crate at night because he is alone and needs attention. However, if you respond to his noises, it will encourage him to continue the behavior. Here are some steps to help stop your dog from barking excessively.
Bring your box to the room
It can take time for a new dog to get used to the house. A puppy may bark non-stop at night because it is anxious and lonely. He may not sleep well for a few days and you can help by keeping him company. However, don't allow him to get used to sleeping in your room, teach him to sleep in his designated area.
ignore the dog
Dogs often lose attention and regular checking encourages behavior. Ignore the dog sometimes if nothing bad happens to him. While it works, make sure you're willing to put up with the noise for a few days. Also, ignoring the dog increases your anxiety and makes barking worse.
Practice the silent command
This is the best strategy to stop your dog from barking at night. However, it takes time for the dog to learn, but once it has learned you will have no problem keeping it calm. To train him you will need treats and wait for him to bark to command him to remain calm and reward him. For consistent obedience, offer more treats for longer silences. The dog will be able to associate silence with the positive outcomes being treats.
Make sure the dog gets exercise every day.
Another common cause of excessive barking is an under-exercised dog with a lot of pent-up energy. Dogs are energetic and always looking for something fun to do. With so much energy in the box, the dog suddenly starts barking. Walk the dog in the morning and evening to burn extra calories. Also, engage in vigorous games to ensure the dog uses more energy before bedtime.
Keep the dog in a quiet place indoors.
Noise outside the home can make the dog bark in its crate at night. Place the kennel away from the door and in a quiet place. Alternatively, you can purchase a noise-cancelling machine that blocks outside noise, as too much noise can cause the dog to bark at night.
Conclusion
If the dog suddenly barks in its crate at night, try to find out why it is barking. If he calms down when you examine him, he's probably demanding attention. Treat any underlying health issues and ensure the dog is not disturbed at night. Take steps to reduce interference where possible.