How to Stop Dog Barking at Night?

Listening to a dog that won’t stop barking at night can be incredibly frustrating. You’re lying there, trying to get some much-needed sleep, and your sweet pet seems as though they won’t ever let that sleep happen for you. If your pup is barking all night, the solution might be easier than you think! You can teach your dog to stop barking all night with these helpful tips.

Reasons for Barking at Night

There are many reasons why dogs bark at night. Knowing the cause of the barking is the first step to learning how to stop your pet from keeping you awake all night long. But training takes time and patience. In order to get your dog to sleep through the night^[1], you have to teach them that they are in a safe room. This will help with the separation anxiety your pooch might feel.

1. Your pet is lonely

Loneliness is a common reason for night barking because dogs are social animals that don’t like to be left alone for too long. If you aren’t able to give them attention all day night you are at work, or if you tell your dog to sleep in a bed outside, then they are sure to miss you and feel lonely.^[2]

2. There are people passing by

It’s common for dogs to bark when they see, or hear people passing by because they are trying to get someone’s attention. Either they get excited because they want to play with the person they see or they’re trying to alert their owner because they think that person is a threat.

3. There are other animals around

Many dogs have trouble sleeping when there is another animal in their sight. It’s common for them to be really curious, especially about an animal that they see outside. Your pup may also try to play with another animal that they see in the room and bark because they are excited.

4. They hear other dogs barking

Wild dogs travel in packs and barking is how they communicate with each other. If your pet hears barks from a distance, they might bark back in an effort to try and communicate with that them or with you, to let you know there might be a problem.

5. They are bored

Dogs need plenty of attention and exercise throughout the day. Otherwise, they will get bored and bark while you’re in bed, trying to sleep.

6. They have a problem with noise sensitivity

A dog’s hearing is excellent. Your dog may hear a noise in another room and start barking to try and alert you that something is around the house. This could either be out of fear for themselves or protection of you.

7. Discomfort

Your dog’s bed should be a really comfortable place for them to sleep — just like your bed should be for you! If their crate is too small, too big, or you haven’t put soft items for them to sleep with, they will let you know by barking at night.

8. Improper crate training

It’s common for dogs to be put in their crate at night or when they are alone at home. However, they will exhibit poor crate behavior if they haven’t been trained to view it as their “bedroom,” rather than a cage.

9. Lack of supervision

This ties hand-in-hand with loneliness. It’s common for a dog to bark if they haven’t received proper training throughout their life.

READ MORE: Reasons Why does my Dog Sit on Me

New Puppy Barking at Night

Puppies use barks and yips to communicate with their owners. It’s very common for new owners to adopt crate training into their dog’s life, which can be very beneficial – especially for those who are going to be out of the house while they are at work. That being said, it can make a new puppy nervous to be in their crate alone, whether it’s at night or during the day.

Crate training is an excellent way to give your new puppy some structure. That way, they won’t be alone, roaming throughout the house at night and getting into trouble. A new dog might feel as though its crate is a punishment if it isn’t properly trained to see it as its comfy bed. This will cause barking and could make it difficult for everyone in the house to sleep through the night.

If your dog is barking all night, and you want to continue crate training, there are things that you can do to let your pup know that their bed is a safe place. It is going to take consistent, positive training to correct their negative behavior and sometimes, the help of a professional. If you are determined enough, your new puppy will be sleeping through the night before you know it!

When do puppies sleep through the night?

Puppies can start sleeping through the night by the time they are four months old. However, you can get your young dog to sleep through the night sooner with plenty of proper training. Make sure your pup sleeps in the crate the first night you bring them home. This will help stop problem barking before it begins.

How to Stop a Puppy from Barking at Night?

The best way to stop a puppy dog from barking at night is to teach them to love their crate and see it as the place they go to sleep in their bed. It’s common for many puppies to see their crate as a punishment because it keeps them away from the things and people around the house that they enjoy. You can teach your puppy to really love their crate by first introducing it as a positive experience, rather than a punishment. Start crate training by giving a treat every time they go in their crate. Try to give your dog meals in their crate, play with them, and put comfortable blankets in the crate.

Once your puppy starts to get more comfortable being in their crate, practice closing the door for a few seconds and offering treats. Extend the length of time you keep the crate door shut and keep rewarding your puppy for positive behavior. Your puppy will be sleeping through the night before you know it!

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FAQ

Article Sources:

1. “Should You Leave Your Dog In the Dark?” Our Fit Pets, 23 Mar. 2021, ourfitpets.com/behavior/psychology/should-you-leave-your-dog-in-the-dark/.
2. “Does Your Dog Freak out When You Leave?” The Humane Society of the United States, humanesociety.org/resources/does-your-dog-freak-out-when-you-leave.