What should I do if my dog always likes to bark at night

Whenever night falls, which should be a time for peaceful sleep, the dog at home starts barking frequently. The harsh barks not only break the tranquility of the night but also make the owner annoyed and worried. Looking at the dog restlessly moving in the dark night, we can't help but feel distressed and confused: What on earth makes them unable to be quiet? Dogs can't express themselves in words, and every bark is a way for them to convey information. We need to be guided by professional knowledge and explore the reasons behind it with full love, so as to help them return to peace and restore the tranquility and harmony of the night.

From the perspective of physical health, if a dog always barks at night, it is likely that physical discomfort is "at work". Dogs are good at enduring pain. Even if they have a little discomfort during the day, they may try to maintain a normal state. However, at night, as the environment quiets down, their attention is more focused on their physical feelings, and the pain or discomfort will be magnified. For example, if a dog has arthritis, when the temperature drops at night, the blood vessels around the joints contract, the blood circulation in the inflamed area is poor, and the pain intensifies. The dog can only try to relieve the pain by barking. There are also gastrointestinal problems. If the dog accidentally eats indigestible food during the day, the stomach will start to have distending pain and spasms at night. This uncomfortable feeling will make the dog restless and keep barking. Oral diseases should not be ignored either. Periodontitis, oral ulcers, etc. will make the dog suffer from unbearable pain when swallowing and chewing. At night, due to the intensified pain, it is difficult for the dog to fall asleep, and it can only "ask for help" from the owner by barking. When finding that the dog barks and is also accompanied by symptoms such as listlessness, loss of appetite, and slow movement, the owner must attach great importance to it. This is likely a sign that there is a problem with the dog's health. It is necessary to take the dog to the pet hospital as soon as possible. With the help of professional examinations, such as blood routine, X-ray, B-ultrasound, etc., accurately determine the cause of the disease and carry out treatment in a timely manner to free the dog from the torment of illness.

Psychological factors are also an important cause of a dog's barking at night. Dogs are social animals and have a deep emotional dependence on their owners and families. Loneliness and anxiety are often the "driving forces" behind their nighttime barking. Especially for puppies, just leaving their mother dog and companions, they are full of fear of the unfamiliar environment. The silence and darkness of the night will make them extremely lack a sense of security. They can only keep barking to call for "companions" and long for company. Some dogs have experienced frightening events, such as hearing a huge noise at night and leaving a psychological shadow. After that, every night, a similar environmental atmosphere will evoke the fear and prompt them to vent their unease by barking. There are also some dogs with separation anxiety disorder. Even if the owner is at home, they will bark frequently because they are worried about being abandoned and try to confirm the owner's presence. Facing these psychological problems, the owner should give the dog more love and company. Spend more time interacting and playing with the dog during the day. Let them feel the warmth through stroking and hugging. Before going to bed at night, you can also stay beside the dog for a while and soothe it softly to let them fall asleep peacefully. For dogs with separation anxiety, progressive training can be carried out. Gradually extend the time of leaving it to let it get used to being alone slowly. At the same time, leave some items with the owner's smell for it when leaving, such as old clothes, to enhance its sense of security.

Changes in the environment can also trigger a dog's barking at night. Dogs have extremely keen hearing and smell. Subtle sounds and odors that are difficult for humans to detect may arouse their vigilance. At night, the footsteps outside, the sound of vehicles driving, the barks of other animals, and even the slightest rustling of the wind may make the dog mistakenly think that a danger is approaching, and thus it will bark to issue an "alert" and try to drive away the potential threat. Changes in the home environment, such as replacing new furniture, adjusting the placement of items, or adopting other new pets, will also make the dog feel strange and uneasy, and then it will bark at night to express its confusion and vigilance. In order to reduce the influence of environmental factors, the owner can try to create a quiet, comfortable, and familiar environment for the dog. Use soundproof materials in the dog's resting area to reduce external noise; keep the indoor temperature appropriate to avoid being too hot or too cold; if there are changes in the home environment, let the dog get familiar with new things in advance. For example, before replacing the furniture, let it smell the new furniture first. In addition, playing soft music can also cover up the external noise, help the dog relax, and reduce barking.

Excess energy in dogs is also a reason for their barking at night. If the dog doesn't get enough exercise and play during the day, the accumulated energy has nowhere to be released, and it will become active at night and vent its energy by barking. Just like an energetic child needs appropriate exercise to consume physical strength, a dog also needs enough exercise to maintain physical and mental balance. The owner should reasonably arrange the dog's daily activities, ensuring at least two walks lasting more than 30 minutes each day. Games with high physical exertion, such as running and playing with a frisbee, can also be carried out. For dogs with particularly high energy, add training courses such as agility training and obedience training, which can not only consume physical strength but also exercise intelligence. When the dog fully releases its energy during the day, it will be more willing to rest quietly at night and reduce barking behavior.

When solving the problem of a dog's barking at night, training is an essential part, but attention should be paid to the methods. When the dog barks, the owner should never shout at it loudly immediately, because this not only fails to solve the problem but may also make the dog more nervous and uneasy, and even develop a rebellious mentality and bark more fiercely. Positive reinforcement training can be adopted. When the dog remains quiet at night, give rewards in a timely manner, such as delicious snacks, gentle strokes, and praise, so that it understands that being quiet is a behavior that will be rewarded. Command training can also be carried out. When the dog barks, issue the command "Be quiet" in a firm and calm tone. If the dog stops barking after following the command, give a reward immediately. Through repeated training, let the dog develop the habit of following commands.

Dogs are the most loyal companions in our lives, and every bark of theirs touches our hearts. Facing the problem of a dog always barking at night, we should use professional knowledge, patient training, and full love to understand their needs and solve their troubles. Only in this way can we let the dog fall asleep peacefully at night, enjoy a peaceful and beautiful life, and continue to accompany us through every warm day and night.