Frustrated dog owners looking to keep their dog from barking at night may find the following tips helpful.
Identification of the problem is key, as is properly training your dog. These tips can help your dog stop barking at night and finally get some peace!
Identify why your dog is barking at night
To begin with, you first need to figure out why your dog is barking at night. All dogs are different, but here’s what I’ve started to see with people asking my advice:
They’re bored
If your dog is left alone during the day, it may start to bark at night out of boredom. Dogs are social animals and need companionship, so it’s important to ensure they get enough attention during the day. If you think your dog is barking out of boredom, try adding some new toys or puzzles to their routine to keep their minds challenged.
They need to pee
Another common reason for nighttime barking is that your dog needs to relieve itself. If your dog has been sleeping all night without a bathroom break, it may start barking to let you know they need to go out. If this is the case, try taking them for a walk before bedtime or setting up a doggy door so they can let themselves out when they need to go.
They hear something outside
Dogs are much more attuned to sounds than humans, so it’s possible that your dog is barking because they hear something outside that you’re unaware of. If you think this might be the case, try checking outside to see if there’s anything that could be causing the noise your dog is reacting to.
They’re anxious or fearful
Anxiety and fear are common triggers for nighttime barking. If your dog is afraid of the dark, fireworks, or other loud noises, it may start barking to ward off the perceived threat. If you think your dog’s barking is due to anxiety or fear, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help ease their anxiety, such as medication or behavior modification training.
They smell something strange
Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell, so it’s possible that your dog is barking because they smell something strange that you’re unaware of. If you think this might be the case, take a quick sniff around yourself and see if anything could be causing the smell your dog is reacting to.
They have separation anxiety
If your dog only starts barking when you leave them alone, they may suffer separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is when dogs become anxious and stressed when separated from their owners. If you think your dog has separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help ease their anxiety, such as medication or behavior modification training.
They’re having a nightmare
Yes, dogs can have nightmares just like humans! If your dog starts whimpering or crying it may be possible they’re experiencing a nightmare. There’s no need to worry though—simply comfort them and reassure them that everything is okay and they’ll likely fall back asleep quickly.
Train your dog to stop barking using positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement dog training is a type of training that relies on rewarding your dog for good behavior to reinforce the behavior.
This type of training differs from traditional dog training, which relies on negative reinforcement (punishing your dog for bad behavior) or punishment-based training (training your dog through fear).
Positive reinforcement dog training is based on the principle that dogs will repeat behaviors that result in a positive outcome.
In contrast, negative reinforcement or punishment-based methods can cause dogs to become fearful or anxious, leading to more bad behavior.
How to use positive reinforcement to train your barking dog
There are a few to reinforce your dog in their training positively:
Get a treat jar
The first step to using positive reinforcement dog training is to get yourself a treat jar. This will be your go-to source for all the yummy treats your dog will be earning. Fill it with their favorite goodies, and ke,,ep it well-stocked so you’re always prepared.
Choose your rewards wisely
Not all treats are created equal, and you’ll want to choose wisely when doling them out as rewards. Small, bite-sized treats are best, as they’re easy for your dog to consume and won’t ruin their dinner. You’ll also want to avoid giving them too many treats, leading to weight gain.
Be consistent
When using positive reinforcement dog training, it’s important to be consistent with your rewards. If you only give treats sometimes, your dog won’t know what they’re,,being rewarded for and they’ll quickly become frustrated. Ensure you’re offering treats every time they perform the desired behavior, and they’ll soon catch on.
Be patient
Like anything in life, learning takes time, and you’ll need to be patient when teaching your dog new tricks. They may not catch on immediately, but if you’re consistent, they’ll eventually get there with your rewards. Just don’t get frustrated and give up – that’s when things start to go downhill.
Have fun
Last but not least, make sure you’re having fun with it! Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup, so if it starts to,, feel like a chore then take a break and return to it later. After all, there’s no point in doing something if it isn’t enjoyable for both of you.
Create a routine for your dog that will minimize barking at night
A bedtime routine with your dog can help minimize barking at night. Some things you may want to include in your routine are:
Get their exercise
One of the most important things you can do to help your dog relax at bedtime is to ensure they’ve gotten enough exercise during the day. A tired dog is a relaxed dog, so take them for a long walk or run before you start your bedtime routine.
Set up a cozy space
Dogs are den animals, so creating a cozy space for them to sleep in will help them feel safe and relaxed. Put their bed in a quiet corner of the room and make sure it’s comfortable with plenty of blankets or pillows.
Give them a massage
Giving your dog a massage is a great way to help them relax before bed. Start by petting them all over their body and then focus on specific areas like their neck and shoulders. Use slow, gentle strokes and avoid any areas that seem sensitive.
Try some aromatherapy
Certain scents can be very calming for dogs, so try diffusing some lavender or chamomile essential oil in their room before bedtime. You can also put a few drops on their bedding or a bandana they can wear during the night.
Play some relaxing music
Playing soft, relaxing music in your dog’s room before bed can help them wind down and get ready for sleep. Classical music or nature sounds are usually best, but anything calm and soothing will work.
Give them a snack
A small snack before bed can help your dog relax and give them something to look forward to as they drift off to sleep. Choose,, something healthy like a piece of fruit or some chopped vegetables. Avoid anything sug,,ary, or high in fat as it could cause digestive problems overnight.
Brush their teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth before bed is not only good for their oral health, but it’s also a great way to help them relax. Brushing their teeth will release some calming hormones in their body and the minty flavor of the toothpaste can also be soothing.
Talk to your veterinarian
If all else fails, talk to your veterinarian. They may be able to recommend a behavior modification plan or prescribe medication to help your dog relax at night.
With patience and positive reinforcement, you can train your dog not to bark at night. Remember to be consistent with your rewards, have fun, and be patient. Soon enough, you’ll have a quiet dog who sleeps through the night.
Don’t use bark collar!
A bark collar is a training collar that delivers a static shock or vibration to the dog when it barks. The aim is to stop the dog from barking by teaching it that barking results in negative consequences.
Bark collars can harm dogs if they’re not used correctly. If the collar is too tight, it can cause discomfort and pain. If it’s too loose, it won’t stop the barking effectively. Also, bark collars can cause psychological damage if used excessively or incorrectly. Dogs may associate their barking with pain or discomfort, leading to anxiety and behavioral problems.
I’m vehemently against bark collars because they can harm dogs.
I was once dogsitting for a family whose dog was always barking. They told me they had a bark collar for him, but I refused to put it on him.
I explained how harmful they can be and how the dog could associate his barking with pain or discomfort.
The family agreed not to use the bark collar, and we got the dog to stop barking by using some tips in this guide.
Summary
Dogs bark for various reasons, but often barking at night is caused by anxiety or excitement.
You can do several things to help your dog relax and stay calm at bedtime. Some methods include providing them with a comfortable bed, giving them a massage, playing calming music, and brushing their teeth.
If all else fails, talk to your veterinarian about a behavior modification plan or medication to help your dog relax.