Written in collaboration with vets
Dogs may bark for many reasons throughout the day, but what dog parents naturally struggle with most is a dog that struggles to settle at night when you're trying to sleep. At that point, you may desperately ask the question 'how do I stop my dog barking at night?' Dogs barking at night is a common behavioural problem, and there could be various factors causing it. In this article, we look at what could be causing your dog's behaviour and what dog parents can do to stop their dogs from barking at night. It's important that dog parents tackle this behaviour to not only ensure they get peaceful sleep, but to also improve their dog's sleeping habits and support their overall health and well-being.
There are many reasons why dogs bark at night, from territorial instincts, fear and anxiety, loneliness and boredom, underlying medical illnesses, attention-seeking, and changes in routine or environment. It's important for dog parents to understand the reason behind this behaviour, in order to stop their dogs barking at night. We explain the potential reasons below.
Dogs have heightened senses compared to humans, particularly with their hearing. They can hear a far greater frequency of sounds than humans, which means they can hear things at different pitches and at a much greater distance than we can. This means that at night when we're sleeping peacefully, dogs are more sensitive to any noise outside, whether it's the sound of wildlife, other dogs, cars driving past, sirens from emergency vehicles, people talking, stormy weather such as thunder. Dogs are territorial animals, which means they are alert to any sound in order to defend their territory - your home. So if your dog is barking at night, they may be trying to warn you about potential threats or intruders, even if there isn't any real danger. If there are other dogs in the area, you may also notice 'group barking' - this is when one dog begins to bark, and other dogs follow as part of their nature of being a pack and trying to communicate to each other that there's a potential threat.
In some cases, your canine friend may be suffering from dog anxiety. If your dog hears a loud noise, they may feel scared and uneasy, and therefore bark to alert you on how they're feeling. Puppies can bark a lot at night, especially when you first bring them home, as they won't yet be used to their new home and may feel anxious in an unfamiliar environment. It's essential for puppies that the first few nights in their new home are controlled in order to teach them the desired quiet behaviour overnight - learn more advice about welcoming a puppy into your home. Dogs who have experienced trauma or abuse in the past may also be more anxious. On the other hand, your dog could be suffering from separation anxiety from their owners, which can happen if they're used to spending a lot of time with you and that changes due to work or personal commitments. Or, perhaps they've previously shared a bed with you and you're trying to encourage them to sleep separately. This is why it's best to do any changes in your dog's routine gradually, to minimise the risk of anxiety and stop your dog barking at night.
Dogs are social, active animals, so if they don't receive enough love and attention during the day, this can lead to your dog barking at night. Your dog might be feeling lonely or bored, and therefore barking to seek attention from you. It may also be that they don't receive enough physical or mental stimulation throughout the day, which makes it more difficult for them to settle down at night. Make sure to take time out to play with your dog during the day.
If your dog has suddenly started barking at night, this could be a sign that there's an underlying medical issue. Your dog may be in pain, discomfort or generally feeling unwell. Look out to see if your dog has any other signs or symptoms, and consult a veterinarian if you're concerned. It could also be that your dog has a full bladder, and needs to go outdoors for toileting.
This is a common cause for barking in puppies, as they need to relieve themselves often overnight. It’s important to understand that while this is a physical discomfort, it’s not the same as pain, so it’s important to be able to tell the difference so you know when they may need medical attention.
Senior dogs can start to have cognitive episodes of confusion which may cause them to bark, and they also tend to be more uncomfortable at night, especially if they're experiencing joint pains or muscle aches as they get older.
It may be that your dog is barking simply because it wants your attention. If barking has previously been rewarded with treats, petting, or play, even during the day, it reinforces barking behaviour and may be the reason why your dog is trying to get your attention at this time of night. To fix this, read on for our tips on training your dog to stop barking at night using positive reinforcement techniques.
Change can be hard for everyone, and that includes dogs. A shift in routine or change in environment can be a stress trigger for dogs. This is separate from general anxiety, but could see your dog begin to exhibit different behaviour as a result of a house move, a change in work schedule, or a change in daily routine. Don’t worry, though, this is entirely common and usually settles once the new routine becomes familiar.
The way you handle your dog’s daytime barking will affect whether they continue to bark at night or not. Showing your dog that barking is acceptable or even rewarding it during the day gives them the signal that it’s okay to do it at night too, and is not the way to deal with this problem dog behaviour.
If your dog barks during the day, you should handle it with the same calm, consistent approach as you’d use at nighttime. That means no more giving in to your dog barking during the day, as ignoring them will force them to learn that there’s no point barking anymore if it doesn’t get them what they want. Nighttime barking is part of a 24-hour behavioural pattern and is not an isolated nighttime issue.
It's best to ignore your dog barking at night, because if you respond in any way or go to your dog when they bark at night, they will perceive your attention as a positive reward and will continue barking. Once you stop, your dog will learn that barking will not bring you to them, and eventually, the behaviour should stop. This is part of positive reinforcement training, discussed further below.
Your puppy may bark in the middle of the night for no reason, especially when you first bring them home. They will be in a new and unfamiliar environment, which may make them feel uneasy, and they might also be missing their mother and littermates, who they are used to sleeping with. Make sure your puppy is in a safe space, that their bed is in a warm area and free from draughts and noise. It can also help to leave a dim light on, and a quiet radio can also give comfort and reassurance.
Whether or not to ignore a barking puppy at night depends on the reason why they're barking. New puppies may bark at night due to feeling anxious about their new environment, however, it could also be that they need to use the toilet or if they're feeling hungry. It's important to respond to your barking puppy if they need you and not cause distress. Baby monitors or indoor security monitors recording your puppy allow you to check on your puppy to make sure they're safe, without disturbing them or disrupting your behaviour training.
Of course, if you're a dog parent who actually wants to sleep, you'll want to know how to stop your dog barking at night. There are many effective techniques to help your dog, however, it's strongly recommended that you never punish your dog for barking. Remember that your dog is barking for a reason, and it's part of a dog parent's responsibility to resolve the issue and create a calm environment in which your dog doesn't bark. You should also never punish your dog or use aversive techniques or tools, such as anti-bark collars or water spray bottles. Instead, check out our helpful tips below on how to stop a dog barking at night.
Positive reinforcement training is the best way to improve your dog's behaviour, especially if their barking is a result of attention-seeking behaviour. In order to stop your dog barking at night, you will first need to stop responding to them when they do so. Instead, as difficult as it may be, ignore your dog when they start barking at night - as long as you're sure they are not in distress or danger. This way, your dog will learn that you don't approve or respond to their barking, and therefore there's no reason for them to continue barking. Unfortunately, the barking may get worse as your dog tries to get your attention, however, eventually they will learn it's ineffective. When your dog stops barking after you've given the 'quiet' command, you can praise them and offer a reward such as a treat or toy, as positive reinforcement for their quiet behaviour. This works as a direct solution to attention-seeking dogs especially, but must be used during the day as well as at night for it to work.
Another possible reason why your dog doesn't stop barking at night is because they have pent-up energy and are therefore unable to settle down. It's important for dog parents to make sure their dogs have plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. It may be helpful to take your dog out for an evening walk or engage in a play session before bedtime, to help your dog release pent-up energy and tire themselves out. You could also provide a (non-squeaky) toy that brings your dog comfort, so they can keep themselves entertained instead of barking for your attention.
Dogs thrive on routine as it brings predictability about their day and can reduce their anxiety. Besides having a schedule for their meals, exercise and playtime, it's also helpful to introduce a bedtime routine. You could include certain rituals, such as grooming them with an appropriate brush for their coat type to help soothe them. You can also cuddle your dog, use loving words and gently tell them 'goodnight' when it's time to sleep. By regularly engaging in these rituals with your dog, they will know what to expect at bedtime - and what's expected of them too. A great bedtime ritual could be offering your dog a PEDIGREE® Dentastix to create a positive association with settling into bed - and giving you peace of mind that your dog is cleaning their teeth and gums before sleeping, just like we do!
Sometimes, dogs might not stop barking at night because they're simply uncomfortable with their sleeping area. Make sure your dog has a cosy bed with blankets for them to curl up and sleep, and try placing it in a different area of the house that might be more comfortable. Crate training your puppy can also provide them a secure space to feel safe. If your dog is getting bigger, you might need to invest in a larger crate that's more suitable for their size. Or, if you're unopposed to the idea, you can move your dog's bed closer to you so they feel more comforted and less likely to bark for attention.
As we know, dogs are extremely sensitive to external stimuli. If your dog's sleeping area is near the window, consider removing some distractions. For example, you could block out the windows with black-out curtains so the room is darker. You could also introduce a white noise machine so they can focus on soothing nature sounds, instead of hearing noises from outside. White noise can help improve your dog's anxiety and reduce their cortisol levels. Other changes you can make include small tweaks to your daily routine, such as keeping your dog clear of the front of the house at known delivery times, choosing quieter times of day for garden access, and using fencing or screening to block out the sight of any other animals or humans your dog would otherwise bark at.
We also have further tips on how to help your dog sleep.
If you've tried everything and still can't stop your dog from barking at night, you may want to consult a veterinarian. A professional vet will be able to assess your dog and check for any underlying medical issues that may be causing your dog distress. If this is ruled out, you might consider working with a pet behaviourist. Dog behaviour specialists can help you to communicate with your dog, understand their behaviour and support you on how to stop your dog barking at night.
We love our dogs, but sometimes they may engage in behaviours that we don't love. Luckily, dogs can be trained - and the best way to do this is positive reinforcement training. Make sure to first rule out any medical causes with a vet first, and ensure you’re handling daytime barking the same as nighttime barking so your dog understands how they’re expected to act. By ignoring negative behaviours, you can stop encouraging them, and instead reward and praise your dog for desired behaviours instead. Be aware, though, that positive reinforcement can take a few nights to show results, and your dog may even get briefly worse before they improve. Once they do, though, they’ll be glad to receive the best reward in the form of a delicious treat. PEDIGREE® Dog Treats come in a variety of tastes and textures, so you can find the type of treat that satisfies your dog best, and supports their training too!
Dogs bark for many reasons, and sudden barking behaviours could be due to new sights, smells or sounds causing them fear or anxiety, an underlying health issue causing them discomfort or pain, or changes in their environment or daily routine causing them stress.
To stop your dog barking at night, you need to also be mindful of how you treat their barking during the day. Use positive reinforcement techniques to train them out of this behaviour. Ignore any barking until your dog learns to stop doing it, and give them a treat when they quieten down.
Puppies often bark at night out of a need to relieve themselves, so, as they’re developing, leaving them to cry it out can be a bad idea that prompts them to toilet in their crate, bed, or elsewhere in the home. Just make sure to avoid play when taking them to the toilet, to discourage them from barking when they don’t need to go.
If unaddressed, barking behaviours in dogs do not often just disappear, and require training and patience to change.
It can, but not always. Barking at night can be due to fear, anxiety, discomfort, changes in environment, triggers like people, animals, or cars passing by, or a desire for their owner’s attention. That said, it is always worth ruling out any medical issues with a vet, especially if the barking has come on suddenly.
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