How To Stop Your Dog Barking At Night -

Learn how to stop your dog barking at night today with this article.

You love your dog to pieces, but is it too much to ask for them to shut up at night? If you’re trying to figure out how to stop your dog from barking at night, you know what a frustrating situation it is — especially when it seems like they are making noise for no apparent reason.

But your dog probably isn’t barking at ghosts that roam the halls of your haunted house. He or she might actually be trying to tell you something. Even if you’re the most patient, bubbly person on the block, it’s hard to stay cheery when you’re sleep-deprived.

Even worse, your dog might be keeping the neighborhood up and giving you a major headache like barking at the window! Stopping your dog from barking all night – like most behavior problems – won’t be something you can do overnight.

Stop Your Dog Barking At Night – But first the good news

If your dog continues to keep you up at night, even after you have tried every humane method to calm it down, you’re far from alone.

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The bad news is

If you just can’t get your dog to shut up in the wee hours, you’re probably not the only person who has a problem with it.

In a 2,000-person survey conducted on dog barking in New Zealand, 75 percent of the participants indicated that they would be bothered by a dog barking at night.

Dog barking and howling ranked highest among all other forms of suburban noise pollution.

A New York Times article on the same topic confirmed that a nonstop barking dog is one local disturbance that can pit neighbors against each other.

The point is this: Dealing with a dog that won’t stop barking day or night is frustrating for everyone. Figuring out the behavioral problem that is causing your dog’s barking could save your sanity and keep the peace.

Understanding your dogs bark

There are many possible reasons why your dog may be barking, whether it’s in the day or during the night, but it all comes down to one explanation; your dog is trying to communicate in some way.

Sometimes your dog is excited to see you, and other times they are warning you that they’re in distress in some way.

Listening to the pattern of your dog’s barking should give you an idea of what they are trying to say.

Brief, high-pitched barking when your dog sees you is typically your dog’s way of saying hello, and expressing that they’re delighted to see you. It’s the equivalent of, “Hey! It’s been so long! Great to see you!” The fact that it’s only been two minutes and you just nipped to the convenience store is neither here nor there.

A series of short, sharp barks is a dog announcing that they are bored and lonely, and are requesting company – whether that comes in the form of a friendly human or a fellow canine keen to form a pack. A single bark, especially when accompanied by non-threatening body language, may be an invitation to play.

Rapid-fire, almost machine gun-like barking is a message to the rest of your dog’s pack that strange things are afoot and they should come along to investigate. This may be a new or unique smell or sight, or something has moved location. This bark could also be engineered to attract the attention of an owner; it could mean that your dog needs the bathroom, or that they’re hungry or thirsty or that they have been conditioned to expect a reward for barking!

Constant barking in a low, almost growling pitch is a warning to both pack and owner that something is about to go down. Maybe your dog has seen an intruder and is giving a final heads up they are about to display some aggression if they don’t go away.

But why does my dog bark at night?

Barking for dogs is their prime means of communicating and can mean a whole lot of things.

It is essential that we have an understanding of why they bark at all to better assess how we can solve the nuisance of barking at odd hours. Here is a list of common reasons for which your dog may bark:

Boredom

Just like any human left alone for too long, your dog gets bored, too. If a dog is bored, they are likely to vocalize more often. If dogs are left alone for long periods of time, they can become very bored, especially if there is nothing for them to do. Dogs who are bored should be provided interactive toys to keep their dog occupied until they get home.

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Fear or alarm

There’s a reason we get scared of things that go bump in the night — as humans, we fear the unknown, and dogs also feel the same nighttime anxiety.

If a dog is fearful, they may bark at any noise they hear that is scary to them or startles them. They may also bark as an ‘alarm’ to tell those around that something is going on that they should be aware of.

Loneliness

There is not always a universal cause for night barking and loneliness remains one of the top triggers in dogs that can’t seem to settle down.

Dogs are pack animals, so if left alone in another room at night, they may bark to try and get attention. Allowing your dog to sleep in your room should help to eliminate barking due to separation anxiety. If sleeping in your bedroom isn’t an option, maybe you need another dog for a source of companionship.

Looking for attention

Here’s an important distinction to remember as a softhearted animal lover: Attention seeking is different from loneliness in dogs. Many dogs bark for attention, whether they want petting, the food you are eating or something else.

It is important that you completely ignore your dog if you feel they are barking for attention, otherwise the barking will continue. If you tell your dog ‘quiet,’ ‘shush’ or any other vocalization to tell them to stop, that is considered attention to your dog.

Noise sensitivity

Unlike their human companions, dogs aren’t able to shut out noise and distraction as easily before bed.

This is because dogs have such acute hearing. Although your home or apartment might be very quiet to you, a dog can be extremely sensitive to outside noises and bark in response.

Putting on a TV, radio, or white noise machine might help block out some of that external noise and hopefully eliminate this cause of bedtime barking.

Your dog is not getting enough exercise

This point is a biggie. If your dog spends all day at home alone while you’re at work and has just a few hours of freedom before bed, it only makes sense that it’s restless at night.

They have pent-up energy, are excited to see you, and just want some attention. Exercise is the best solution for this cause of barking. One option is sending your dog to a doggie daycare where they can have a tiring day, running around and playing all day with other dogs.

Alternatively, you and your dog can exercise together. A long walk or run will help tire both of you out before bedtime.

Other distractions that get your pet excited could include:

The scent of a wild animal. Dogs have extremely sensitive noses, and they may be able to smell something from several miles away, especially if the wind is carrying the aroma. The barking could be due to excitement, or your dog may be warning you that something is coming.

A strange sound. Not only can dogs smell better, but they also have fantastic hearing. If your dog can hear something in the distance that he or she cannot see, they might become rattled and start barking up a storm.

Remember that every instinct in your dog’s body is to protect you and your property. If they suspect that somebody or something is going to do you harm, they won’t think twice about giving you a heads-up, no matter what time of night it may be.

How to stop dog’s barking during the night using training

We have discussed why your dog is barking and night, but that doesn’t change the fact that you may be keen to put a stop to it. Your dog’s nocturnal barking may be causing all kinds of problems, and while you don’t want to prevent your canine from fulfilling guard dog duties when it matters.

You’ll also need to make sure they’re not keeping yourself and your neighbors awake – in addition to stressing themselves out. After all, dogs need their rest too. Let’s take a look at the many and varied ways that we can stop a dog from barking at night. The Humane Society has a few suggestions to get you started.

Tire your dog out earlier in the day

As we have already suggested, your dog may be barking because they have not enjoyed enough exercise and stimulation over the course of the day.

More often than not, ensuring that your dog gets sufficient exercise will keep them content and stop them from disturbing the peace in the evening.

Here’s another way of looking at things – your dog cannot bark if they are fast asleep.

It’s not always possible to spare multiple hours in a day, and like children, dogs sometimes seem to have boundless reserves of energy and will not grow exhausted and doze off. Also much like children, however, a dog that is restless and not ready for bed can make your life a living hell if they have a mind to do so!

Remove any inspiration for barking in the night

Once you have pinpointed what causes your dog to start barking at night, it shouldn’t be too hard to put a stop to it. If, for example, it’s the scents and sounds of the great outdoors that set your dog off, start locking the door at night and not allowing your pooch to wander free into the backyard.

You may need to engage in some different toilet training if this is the case, to ensure that your canine does not grow concerned or confused!

Alternatively, if your dog doesn’t like the sight of something that takes place outside, or they’re prone to being hyper-vigilant about the sight of anybody walking past, start to draw the curtains or drapes as soon as the sun goes down.

If necessary, remove your dog from the room every time he or she starts barking unnecessarily (but do so without scolding – remember, your dog thinks that they are doing you a favor and warning you about a potential danger.)

Any trigger for barking should be investigated and desensitized.

It may be that one of your neighbors works night shifts, so your dog never sees them around in the yard and is suspicious of their motives. Introduce this neighbor to your dog in such an instance, and you’ll find that this wariness is soon dissolved.

Don’t reward your dog for barking when its night time

No doubt you’re aware of the theory behind Pavlov’s Dog, and the fact that dogs are prone to associating particular behaviors with other sights, sounds, scents, and human reactions.

Next time your dog starts to bark, stop and catch yourself before you react – are you accidentally rewarding your dog for behavior that you would prefer they avoid?

Is your reaction to rush over, shower your dog with attention, tickle, and stroke them, promise that everything is OK and that there’s no need to worry? That’s all fantastic for your dog, and they will soon start to think that barking at night is a fast track to all the attention they could wish for!

Likewise, if you’re worried about how the neighbors will react and quickly toss your dog a favorite treat or toy, they’ll again assume that they’re being rewarded for informing you that something is afoot.

Ignoring your dog’s barking at night can be a risky business, and if you’re going to attempt to retrain your canine chum, you should probably warn your neighbors to avoid any irritation.

Likewise, it’s like sleep training an infant – don’t ignore it permanently or you will break the sacred bond of trust between dog and owner. Instead, wait for your dog to calm down and then reward them after a period of silence – extending the period on each occasion, so they start to understand that this is all part of a training process.

Other behavioral concerns should also be discussed with a vet or some other kind of canine specialist, but this should help curb the tendency of a dog to bark and howl throughout the evening.

Don’t leave your dog to sleep alone at night

Take a look at where your dog spends his or her nights, and the question is whether this is why they are barking at night.

As pack animals, dogs are not used to sleeping alone.

What’s more, this is a very vulnerable time for a dog – while they are dosing, canines are unable to react as quickly as they ordinarily would protect themselves and their owners.

Many dogs will bark when left alone at night, so if your furry friend is making an unholy noise when you shut the bedroom door and banish them to the kitchen, consider letting them sleep in the same room as you.

If it settles your dog down and prevents them from barking all night, this is the one example where it’s acceptable to agree to Fido’s demands for the sake of a quiet life!

How to stop dog’s barking during the night using external tools

Beyond basic behavioral training, you could also take a trip to the pet store to pick up a handful of materials that will prevent a dog from barking at night.

A dog whistle, for example, could be very helpful.

These tools make noise at an ultrasonic pitch that we, as humans, cannot hear – but it’s very loud indeed to a dog! This will distract them from what they’re doing, and in some cases, it’ll become pretty annoying.

Blow the whistle when a dog starts barking, and they’ll soon stop.

You don’t even need to drive all the way to the pet store – imitation dog whistles are often available as dog barking apps on a smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, you should try filling up a water pistol and squirt your dog if they bark at night to distract them and show that the behavior is unwanted

– though some dogs love water and think this is a fantastically fun game!

Here are some additional methods that you could stop a bark from barking at night.

Dog Calming Diffuser

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As we have already explained, a dog will bark because he or she is agitated or restless in some way. If your dog struggles to settle down at night when it’s time for everybody to start contemplating catching some Zs, you may want to look into a dog calming diffuser.

These will release pleasant-smelling pheromones into the air and help your dog to settle down – it’s a similar effect to a nice, hot bath in lavender oil for a human.

You can pick up a calming dog diffuser from any pet store, which is advisable over creating your own. This way, you can be sure that the components are pet-friendly.

Dog Barking Collars

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Perhaps a final resort would be to look into a dog barking collar. These items are typically strapped around a dog’s throat and emit a correctional behavior if your dog starts to bark. This may be an ultrasonic noise akin to a whistle, and a blast of cool air that annoys a dog, or in some cases, a mild electric shock.

Are dog barking collars cruel?

As you can probably imagine, this means that dog barking collars can be thought of as cruel. We would not recommend using them – there are all kinds of humane methods for training a dog out of barking at night without resorting to inflicting pain or discomfort upon your dog.

Should I punish my dog for barking?

One solution that some people try is punishment. Squirting barking dogs with water for example, or even smacking them or shocking them with an electric collar.

More and more studies like this one from the University of Pennsylvania are adding to the weight of evidence that shows punishing dogs has some serious downsides, including increased aggression, and reducing the ability to learn new skills.

Not really what we want for our dogs. And these effects have been demonstrated with quite mild punishments include verbal chastisement.

When it comes to shocking dogs with electric collars, studies have shown that dogs trained this way were more anxious and fearful than other dogs. And that was when the training was carried out by experts.

For these reasons almost all professional bodies representing dogs now recommend that you avoid punishment altogether when training your dog. It is particularly important that you don’t punish a dog with true separation anxiety as you could make things very much worse.

Barking at night – does my dog have separation anxiety?

A lot of people do worry that their dog might be lonely at night. After all, you can’t explain to your dog that you are only just upstairs or along the corridor when you leave him shut in the kitchen at bedtime.

Loneliness at night is definitely a problem for puppies. But barking at night is less likely to be due to loneliness in an older dog.

Your dog knows whether or not you are at home. He can smell you, and probably hear you snoring! People sometimes refer to dogs that whine or bark at night as having ‘separation anxiety’ and guilt-trip themselves into believing that they cannot leave the dog on his own while they are asleep.

But separation anxiety is not something that just happens at night. In fact, a dog that becomes very distressed at being left alone is more likely to get upset and bark when the family go out without them during the day.

If your dog has separation anxiety you need to tackle this before the barking.

Your vet or a qualified behaviorist will be able to help you. Remember that all dogs are social animals, and Labs are more social than most. If you are out at work all day, your dog is going to be bored and lonely at least some of the time. It’s worth considering whether or not you might all benefit, as a family, if the dog slept in your room.

Should I get my dog a friend?

Think carefully before getting a second dog if your current dog is barking. Having a canine companion might not help. In fact, studies have shown that dogs in multiple dog households are more likely to bark, not less.

Should you and your pup be roommates?

You do not need to have your dog sleep on or by your bed unless you want to. But if you don’t mind, it may be the best solution for a peaceful night, especially if your dog is getting on in years.

Elderly dogs with failing hearing may find it great comfort to sleep close to their owners and are not likely to disturb you too early in the morning.

If on the other hand if the word ‘restful’ has never applied to your dog, and if he treats any invite into your bedroom as an opportunity to bounce on the bed and tear around with your slippers, then you might prefer to just ignore any occasional barking (after a brief check for fires and intruders of course) and let him ‘cry it out

Is crying it out unkind?

If your dog is healthy and confident generally, he will be ok if you just leave him to ‘cry it out’. If the night-waking started as the result of a tummy bug and the bug is now cured, he may grumble for a few nights, but he’ll soon get over it.

Just as my puppy did once the mouse problem was solved. Whilst this sounds a bit draconian and unkind. It is in some cases the best answer to the problem.

A pair of earplugs will help you to sleep through the fussing and he will learn that people don’t play during the night.

Remember: he knows you are in the house.

But what if my neighbors are disturbed with my dog barking alot?

If you have close neighbors and have decided to ignore your barking dog, it is better to warn them in advance and to compensate them, in some way, for the disturbance. How you do this will depend on your neighbors and your relationship with them, but flowers and wine or chocolates are generally well received!

What if the neighbor’s dog is barking all night

Of course, sometimes, the barking is coming from someone else’s house. And it can help if you are sympathetic. Bear in mind that your neighbor is probably as fed up with the noise as you are.

Show them this article and offer some support. Hopefully, you’ll get wine and chocolates, and peace will be restored nice and fast.

My dog wakes up too early

What about the dog that is not really night waking. He is just waking up too early. In his view “it is morning, why isn’t everyone up?” He has been a good dog and slept all night. It’s just that his idea of morning is slightly out of sync with yours. You think 7:30 is a reasonable time to get up.

He begs to differ and prefers 6:45. If you don’t get up he gradually gets noisier and noisier. He can’t go back to sleep as he now has a full bladder and is getting hungry. What should you do?

This can be quite a frustrating problem, because even if you get up and let the dog out for a wee, and give him some breakfast, and even if he is happy to go back to bed. You can’t because you have to get ready for work.

The solution here is to pre-empt the dog using a signal that he can hear.

The early waking cure

So you need to set an alarm that will wake you before your dog. Set the alarm to go off half an hour before he normally wakes up. Get yourself downstairs before he starts to make a noise and reward him for being quiet.

Be very calm, and avoid getting the dog excited. The following day, repeat the process but after getting downstairs, wait a few seconds before greeting the dog, giving him a treat, and letting him out. And ONLY give him a treat if he is quiet. The next day, you can bring the alarm nearer to your preferred waking time by a couple of minutes.

Keep going until you get an acceptable ‘wake up’ time. Repeat, each day either increasing the time you wait before greeting the dog and letting him out, or, bringing the alarm forwards a few minutes.

The objectives here are two-fold. Firstly you are teaching the dog he doesn’t need to make a noise in order to get you up. You get up when the alarm goes off, and he is not responsible for waking you.

Secondly, you are teaching him that you getting up is not a big deal. It isn’t something worth getting all hot and bothered about. He needs to know that early mornings are boring. Nobody wants to play or chat at 6:30.

Many dogs, if put through this process, and if you make yourself boring enough, will actually start ‘sleeping in’ and ignoring you when you get up. You’ll know you have won this battle when you come downstairs at 7:30, and your Labrador opens one eye and then goes back to sleep.

How To Stop Your Dog Barking At Night

Stop Your Dog Barking At Night – But first the good news

The bad news is

Understanding your dogs bark