What should I do if my dog refuses to go home at night?

The night falls quietly like ink, and the hustle and bustle of the day gradually fades away. When the owner is ready to take the dog home, it suddenly seems to be cast under a spell. No matter how it is called or how it is gently pulled on the leash, it stubbornly stays where it is, and even pulls hard in the opposite direction. Looking at the dog's bright but persistent eyes, the owner's heart is full of anxiety and confusion: Why does it refuse to go home at night when it is so obedient and well-behaved during the day? In fact, every behavior of the dog can be traced. Exploring the reasons behind its reluctance to go home is not only to successfully take it home, but also a warm journey to deeply understand and care for it. ​

From the perspective of biology and sensory characteristics, the dog's sense of smell and hearing far exceeds human imagination, and the night has become a new stage for them to perceive the world. Every evening breeze carries a smell that is not present during the day. The traces left by stray cats in the neighborhood next door, the smell of food wafting from the kitchen in the distance, and the faint smell of small animals dormant in the bushes are like mysterious invitations, which arouse the dog's strong desire to explore. Their ears can capture the rustling of falling leaves and the buzzing of insects. These subtle sounds are infinitely amplified in the quiet night, making the dog feel as if they are in a wonderful adventure, immersed in it and forgetting the time to go home. At the same time, the change of light at night also reshapes the dog's cognition of the environment. The familiar streets during the day cast unfamiliar shadows under the street lights, and the inconspicuous corners on weekdays become mysterious. This sense of novelty constantly stimulates the dog's curiosity, making them more eager to stay outside to explore the unknown, rather than return to the unchanging home. ​

Social factors also play an important role in the dog's reluctance to go home. As a social animal, dogs have a natural desire for interaction with their companions and humans. If they meet other dogs during a walk, they will communicate information and establish connections by sniffing, chasing and playing with each other. For extroverted, lively and active dogs, the time spent playing with their companions is particularly precious. When the owner tries to interrupt this joy and urges them to go home, the dog will naturally show resistance.

In addition, the dog's feelings and cognition of home will also affect whether it is willing to go home. If there have been changes in the home recently, such as the purchase of large furniture that changes the spatial layout, or the renovation that produces unfamiliar smells and noises, it will make the dog feel uneasy. They are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment. Home is no longer the familiar and safe haven in their memory. In contrast, although the outside world is full of unknowns, there are no changes that confuse them, so they are more willing to stay outside. Some dogs may have experienced unpleasant things at home, such as being severely reprimanded or being frightened by accidents. These negative experiences have left a shadow in their hearts, making them resist home and instinctively want to escape at night. ​

When encountering a situation where a dog refuses to go home at night, the owner's emotions and handling methods are crucial. Never yell or pull the leash hard because of anxiety. This rough method will only make the dog feel scared and wronged. Not only can it not solve the problem, but it may also deepen its resistance and even cause physical harm to it. At this time, the owner should take a deep breath, try to calm down, squat down, call the dog's name in a gentle and loving tone, and take out its favorite snacks from its pocket and shake them gently in front of it. Use the dog's instinctive love for food to divert its attention from the novel environment around it to the owner, then slowly stand up, encourage it softly, and guide it towards home. Every patient wait and every gentle word are full of the owner's understanding and love for the dog, hoping to use this gentleness to resolve its stubbornness. ​

If the temptation of snacks does not work, the owner can try to arouse the dog's dependence and trust in himself. Stop urging for the time being, sit quietly in place, open your arms, look at the dog with eyes full of expectation and care, and call its name softly. There is a deep emotional bond between dogs and their owners. When they feel the warmth and security of their owners, they tend to let down their guard and approach them actively. When the dog comes to the side, the owner should immediately give it a gentle touch, comb its hair gently, and praise it with words of praise, so that it knows that returning to the owner is the right choice. After that, slowly get up and take the dog home together. ​

In order to reduce the occurrence of dogs refusing to go home at night, daily prevention and guidance are essential. The owner can plan the route and time for the walk in advance, try to choose a place that the dog is familiar with and relatively quiet, and avoid passing through parks, pet stores and other areas where dogs gather that are prone to excitement and interference. According to the age, size and physical strength of the dog, arrange the length of the walk reasonably, so that it can fully release its energy and satisfy its desire to explore outside, and will not be unwilling to go home because of excessive fatigue or excitement. At home, create a comfortable and warm environment for the dog, place soft nest mats and interesting toys, interact and play with it regularly, let it feel the warmth and love of home, so that the dog will have a strong sense of belonging to the home and be more willing to take the initiative to go home.​

When the dog finally followed him and turned to walk towards home, the owner's anxiety instantly turned into relief and touching. In this "stalemate" with the dog, every attempt and every patience was the owner's love and responsibility for the dog. Through understanding and communication, not only did they solve the current problem, but they also narrowed the distance between each other and deepened their trust and tacit understanding.