“Why is my dog barking at night all of a sudden?” …This is a question that gets asked a lot more than you think.
Because if there one thing that’s frustrating, it’s a dog that barks incessantly at for no apparent reason.
Worst still, it can have a hugely detrimental effect on your otherwise undisturbed sleeping pattern. Leaving you a burnt-out walking zombie by the time the sun comes up.
Now, barking is natural for dogs, it’s how they communicate, and it’s ultimately how they express themselves.
And while it can sometimes be a pain in the proverbial when your dog won’t hush the fluff up, it’s by no means something you should aim to eliminate completely.
That being said, it also isn’t something you should have to put up with constantly either, especially when all you want to do is get your head down for the night.
So what can you do?
Well, it’s first important to understand that your dog is barking it’s for a reason. It may not be a valid one, but they’re trying to tell you something nonetheless.
And while you’d be eternally grateful if they alerted you when an intruder stepped onto your front yard. You’d also be less inclined to thank them for barking every time they see the neighbors cat.
So first things first… figure out why your dog is barking. You might just find that there’s a very good reason for your dog sounding the 3am alarm.
But if you’ve already done a little detective work and come up empty-handed, other measures need to be considered.
This is why I’d highly recommend checking out the 5 step-by-step calming exercises in the video below to bring your dog’s obsessive nighttime barking under control.
Because while your dog might be happy to bark for hours on end, you’re probably pulling your hair out at the sheer thought of it.
Anyway…
In short, the calming exercises below were developed by Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer.
And over the years, they’ve helped thousands of frustrated dog owners at the end of their tether deal with a multitude of doggy behavioral issues like aggression, leash training, and you guessed it… Barking!
While they’re not an overnight cure for your dog’s obsessive barking. You’ll find that if you watch the video and impliment the exercises consistently, you’ll see a drastic reduction in your dog’s need to bark.
So before moving on, here’s the video link to take a look: 5 Step-By-Step Exercises To Quickly & Permanently Stop Your Dogs Obsessive Barking…
(video will open in a new window)
Why Is My Dog Barking At Night All Of A Sudden?
As humans, the majority of us can instinctively block out most of what’s going on around us. However, being the inquisitive creatures that they are, dogs can be a little different in this department.
You and I may not notice the constant passing traffic outside our window or the buzzing of lawnmowers cutting the lawn off in the distance. But your dog probably has a different take on the whole thing.
To them, everything is a cause for concern, and if it bothers them, you can bet your sweet cheeks they’re going to let you know about it.
A squirrel in the yard, a light turning on in the distance, even the wind whistling through the trees can sometimes be enough to set off an unwanted barking fit.
And once this happens, you can kiss your sanity goodbye while you wonder what’s so important that your dog had to wake you up mid-snooze.
So take note of the following and see if you can determine a cause for your dogs barking.
Some of the more common reasons include…
They Can Hear Something
In addition to the above, you need to understand that your dog’s hearing is on a completely different level from our own.
In fact, dogs can hear anything up to a quarter of a mile away. And at much higher frequencies too.
Keeping this in mind, they might simply be picking up on something off in the distance that you’re blissfully unaware of.
A security alarm, another dog perhaps, or even the party that’s going on two blocks over.
These are all things well within your dog’s range of hearing, so be mindful of this when they bark if nothing seems apparent.
They’re Scared Or Anxious
If you’ve recently changed up your sleep routine (in particular, where they sleep), they could be suffering from a common case of separation anxiety.
Some dogs crave comfort and attention. So even seemingly simple things like changing the room your dog sleeps in or even moving their doggy bed near a window could be enough to set them off on a barking craze.
You can usually spot the warning signs of separation anxiety if your dog’s barking is accompanied by other behavioral traits such as chewing, trying to escape, or just destructive behavior in general.
Sometimes, they’ll ever go as far as eating their own poop (also known as coprophagia) just to get your attention.
Related Post: Help! Why Is My Dog Eating Poop All Of A Sudden?
They Can’t Sleep
Sometimes it can just be a simple case of restlessness that’s keeping your dog awake in the early hours of the morning.
If you suspect this, and you’re struggling to pinpoint the precise reason your dog can’t sleep… consider the following.
- They need the bathroom – Did you take your dog to relieve themselves before turning in for the night.
- They’re hungry – Did your pooch have a substantial, filling meal a few hours before hitting the hay.
- What’s the temperature like? – Maybe they’re too hot or cold, and it’s keeping them up.
- What about outside influences – Do your neighbors get home late or get up super early for work?
- Have they had enough exercise? – Dogs that lack both physical and mental stimulation during the day are going to have a hard time settling if not.
These are all things (among many others) you need to consider before jumping to conclusions about why your dog wakes up and barks in the dead of night.
If you’re still scratching your head, it might be an idea to invest in a doggy camera like so you can see what’s going on when you’re not there.
Medical Issues
This is going to be more plausible in senior dogs. But you should never rule out medical issues when it comes to assessing your dog’s sudden behavioral change.
Common medical problems like dementia, cognitive dysfunction, and even slight aches and pains can cause your dog to wake suddenly and howl at the moon.
If your dog can’t see properly, or they become temporarily unfamiliar with their surroundings, it’s no surprise they’ll want to let someone know about it.
You’ve Got A Watchdog
Certain breeds like Scottish terriers are strong-willed, confident little critters who’ll often take it upon themselves to be the protector of the home.
And while the occasional bark out the window at the mailman might not seem like a big deal. It becomes a completely different story when they bark at every passing car.
Normally this type of behavior is gear towards strangers or anyone that your dog may see as a threat.
But occasionally, you’ll be dealt a bad hand and have a dog that refuses to let up on anything and everything that’s going on around them.
Remember those 5 step-by-step calming exercises I was talking about earlier?
Now would be the perfect time to start learning them if any of the above apply.
Because while they may not be an instant cure for your dog’s nagging barking habit, they’re very good at teaching your dog to remain in control of their emotions.
Which is a must if you want to nip the problem in the bud anytime soon.
How To Stop Your Dogs Obsessive Nighttime Barking
Let’s cut to the chase; nobody wants to listen to a dog barking through the night… Not you, your neighbors, or anybody else within earshot of your dog’s potentially deafening howl.
So let’s take a look at how to permanently change your dog’s behavior for the better so both you and your pooch can nestle in and get a good night’s sleep.
Figure Out The Root Cause Of The Barking
This is step 1, 2, and 3 all rolled into one when it comes to getting your dog to stop barking.
Because if you can ultimately figure out why your dog is barking, the battle is already half won. Because you can then go ahead and put together an effective plan of action to stop it from happening on a consistent basis.
I’m not going to dive into too much detail here because we’ve previously discussed a vast range of reasons your dog could be barking. (refer to the above advice).
But really think carefully here, and don’t rule anything out, no matter how obscure it might seem.
To give you an example, I recently read an article about a similar situation where, for months, frustrated owners couldn’t figure out what was keeping their dog up at night.
Turns out, they had rodents scratching around within the walls and were completely unaware until their dogs obsessive barking forced them to take action and investigate further.
So just remember to keep an open mind and a close ear to the wall. You might be surprised what you hear.
Get Them Checked By A Vet
Again, this has already been covered previously, but it’s still important to revisit nonetheless.
Medical issues can crop up at ANY time and usually when you least expect them.
It’s not uncommon for certain dogs (especially older dogs) to need multiple checkups every year just to make sure their health is in tip-top shape, and everything is as it should be.
Things happen, and what’s worse is they’re usually beyond our control.
So rule out any ailments for peace of mind if you suspect something is wrong.
Get Rid Of Distractions
This is easier said than done because, at the end of the day, we’re only human. And there are potentially dozens of distracting you could be blissfully unaware of that’s causing your dog to bark.
Even simple things like closing the blinds to obscure their view of the outside world could be all it takes to get them to settle down.
And that toy they just can’t live without? Maybe they roll over in the dead of night and get an earful of that incessant squeaking sound.
Frightening the life out of them and causing a barking fit.
These are all things that can be overlooked when it comes to detecting what’s going on when you’re not there.
So take a look around their sleeping area, and I mean really look to see if there’s anything you suspect that could be causing a distraction.
Teach Your Dog To Be Calm
Easier said than done, right?
But by teaching your dog to be calm and in control of their emotions, you’re essentially setting them up to think twice before waking up the neighborhood.
This goes double if you’ve got an overly obsessed watchdog on your hands, as they’ll likely be less inclined to go against their natural instinct and follow suit.
Again, this is where the 5 step-by-step calming exercises we talked about earlier are great for teaching your dog the power of calm and emotional control.
And when used on a regular basis, they’ll automatically get your dog to dial down the emotion whenever they feel the urge to bark.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the day, dogs bark to communicate. And while it’s not ideal to be woken up in the early hours of the morning… it’s just something that’s going to happen from time to time.
And when it does, it’s our job as loveable owners to heed the call, put on our detective hat, and get to the bottom of what’s causing the issue.
Just remember that although it can be frustrating, your dog isn’t barking just to annoy you. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
And while the reason for their barking may not always make sense, with a little time, patience and understanding, it’s by no means impossible to deal with.
