4: Distress from Pain or Hunger
Dogs tend to vocalize when theyre in distress. Unfortunately for us, “distress” can mean a lot of different things.
Those dramatic huskies may seem funny behind a screen, but when anything from a stubbed toe to a hunger pang can set them off, it becomes a lot less adorable.
Hunger is a form of distress, and a hungry dog is a vocal dog. Some dogs are also very food-motivated and will do anything they can to get that extra meal.
You may be able to test this by leaving some food available if they want it in the evening, though if your dog is a glutton and cleans their bowl immediately, no questions asked, this obviously wont work.
A solution for a hoover pup is to purchase a timed feeder that will serve a small meal during the evening.
Pain is another common source of distress. Its difficult to diagnose, too; a joint ache, a pulled muscle, or an internal pain can all trigger a vocal response when, to you, there was no obvious trigger.
For hunger problems, you may need to adjust your feeding schedule. Instead of an early morning breakfast and evening meal, consider breaking the servings into three. A morning feeding, one after work (or early evening), and a small meal before bed.
Pain is harder to diagnose, especially if there are no other obvious signs like limping, digestive problems, or heavy breathing. You might be thinking if my pup is in pain, wouldn’t that be an issue all day?
Consider the temperature. Many of us lower the thermostat at night to help us sleep better, the colder temperature can make achy joints feel worse. It’s always a good idea to mention new vocalizations to your vet so then can confirm it’s not related to a medical issue.
Reason 1: Improper Crate Training
Crate training can be a real pain, but the consequences for rushing it can be severe. If your dog only cries at night when she’s left in the crate, consider going back to our article on stopping your dog from crying in the crate, Your dog may have developed negative associations with her crate.
Common Indicators: Your dog spends the night in the crate and mostly barks right away at night. The barking is much better if your dog sleeps outside of the crate.
Treat It By: Consider letting your pup sleep out of the crate (you can use an ex pen instead if your pup isn’t trustworthy). If that solves your problem, that’s great! If you really want your pup to sleep nicely in the crate overnight, go back to the very basics of crate training and work on creating a lot of positive associations!
Loneliness
While Dr. Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture explains that there is not always a universal cause for night barking, loneliness remains one of the top triggers she sees in dogs that can’t seem to settle down. Dr. Barrack says, “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.”
How To Stop Your Dog From Barking In Their Crate At Night
Having a pet can be one of the funniest responsibilities any animal lover will have and will want to have. However, being responsible for your pet’s behavior is a full-time job every day and sometimes even during the nights. The latter is especially true if you have a dog that barks while you are trying to chase some much-desired sleep. Some dog tends to be naturally yappy compared to others but this can still cause issues with your neighbors and the rest of your family. There are a few ways you can help your dog to stop their barking at night and give everyone around you some much-needed sleep.