Work with a dog trainer.
We know this is an expensive option, but if you don’t seem to be able to get a handle on your dogs night time barking, it might be worth getting some help.
Dog trainers can provide one-on-one support to really get to the bottom of what’s causing the issue. They can then work closely with you and your dog to find a solution that works best.
1: Loneliness or Separation Anxiety
Have you ever seen the video of a particularly dramatic husky vocalizing at the top of their lungs in abject depression over their pet parent closing the front door and after realizing they arent going on a walk?
Sometimes they can also look so sad, so distraught, whining and crying when they cant find their owner, even if youre just standing in another room.
While huskies are some of the most dramatic and vocal about it, many dogs can experience loneliness and anxiety when they dont know where you are or cant find you.
It comes from their deep history, back when they were wolves living in packs. And while the domesticated dog may not technically be a pack animal, they do thrive in the comfort and presence of others of their kind as pack animals do.
Since you and your family (and perhaps other pup siblings) are their social group, they want to know where you are and be able to find you if they need you.
While that may be fine during the day, especially if you like a cuddly lap dog, it can be a little more difficult at night.
It can be tricky trying to sleep with a dog in the bed or even in the bedroom; their snoring, their odors, and their midnight activity can all wake you up or disrupt your sleep.
And, if they find another reason to bark, its so much more irritating when its right beside your bed.
The trouble is, if your dog is lonely or has situational anxiety because they cant find you, you dont have many options to solve the problem.
One quick fix is to try to bring their bed into your bedroom so that when youre sleeping nearby, they can be comforted by your presence and sleep alongside you.
But, if they insist on climbing all over you in the middle of the night, or if you have other reasons not to have a dog in the room with you – allergies, perhaps, or a new baby – it may not be an option.
Another choice is to get another animal that can comfort your dog. Often, this might just mean another dog. As social animals, dogs will typically get along with one another (after some time to adjust) and be that element of comfort they both need to sleep through the night.
Of course, there’s always the risk they’ll both have separation anxiety, and then youve just doubled your problem.
Reason 4: Boredom
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise during the day to wear her out, she might simply be bored at night and unable to sleep.
Common Indicators: You’re likely to see this problem if your dog doesn’t get much exercise – and no, letting her run around the yard doesn’t count!
This is especially common in high energy dog breeds like Border Collies and Huskies. You’re also likely to struggle with a bored dog if your pooch doesn’t have much to do all day and just sits around the house.
Treat It By: Your pup needs more exercise, and things to think about other than barking! Try playing some games with her every day and add in some anti-boredom measures during the day while you’re at work. You can also look into a dog walker to get extra help burning off that energy.
How To Train A Dog To Stop Alert Barking
While annoying to us, barking comes naturally to dogs. Because its a natural instinct, it can be a challenge to get them to stop barking at night. Why do dogs bark at night? Often its because they see or hear an animal in the yard, or because they hear other dogs barking in the neighborhood. Other reasons they bark include loneliness, lack of supervision, or inadequate exercise and play. To get them to stop barking at night, you need to give them a more rewarding option.