Why do dogs get grumpy at night? What to Know

Your Dog Hears Sounds You Can’t Hear

Without a doubt, dogs have a better hearing ability than humans. This is because their ears can detect sound waves at frequencies not audible to the human ear. As a result, their growling might be directed at a strange sound far away that your ears cannot pick up.

Such aggression could be directed at another animal – perhaps a rodent – that wanders into their space at night.

Your Dog Needs Attention

Displaying signs of aggression at night like growling could point to a dog who just wants attention from its owner. Puppies will typically exhibit this behavior, as they enjoy being the center of attention. These small dogs are usually energetic and love to play with their toys and owners all the time.

This can be a problem at night when your dog is not allowed to play or be with its owner. It can cause separation anxiety which can affect the dog’s behavior. This may happen if you try to crate train your smaller dog and they aren’t near you during the nighttime.

If you have a puppy, consider dropping a couple of toys in their crate or by their dog bed at night to reduce the chances of growling and dog barking. The idea is to encourage light play and keep them occupied at night.

Another way to reduce aggressive growling at night is by creating opportunities for plenty of exercise. Your dog will be likely want to rest at night instead of demanding attention. After all, a tired dog, they say, is a well-behaved dog.

Group Barking

Your dogs might also growl at night in response to other dogs in the area. This is common at night when everywhere is quiet and the streets are no longer busy.

Typically, this starts with one dog growling while the others follow suit and bark along.

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Disclaimer – Nothing on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment… Read more here

Dogs make wonderful and loving companions, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come without their challenges. An anxious dog could easily become the cause of many sleepless nights. Just as the dog’s restless behavior can be disruptive, you may also develop anxiety yourself out of concern for your pup.

If you are currently wondering why your dog is restless and anxious at night, we are here to help. We will review different methods to help your dog sleep soundly through the night while examining the different reasons why your dog may be restless.