Walk through any neighborhood at night and you’ll hear it: the sound of barking dogs. It seems that night barking is just a part of life. But what causes dogs to sound off so much at night? Why does your dog bark when the sun goes down, even to the point of keeping you and your neighbors awake?

You’re not alone. In a 2,000-person survey conducted last year, 75% of the participants indicated that they would be bothered by a dog barking at night. Dog barking and howling ranked highest among all other forms of suburban noise pollution in a New York Times article, and even cited that is can be one of the highest local disturbances that can pit neighbors against each other.

The point is this: Dealing with a dog that won’t stop barking day or night is frustrating for everyone. Figuring out the behavioral problem that is causing your dog’s barking could save your sanity and keep the peace.

Why Do Dogs Bark At Night?

To find a way to stop your dog from barking at night, we have to get to the root of the problem. Your dog probably isn’t barking at ghosts that roam the halls of your haunted house. He or she might actually be trying to tell you something.

Not Enough Exercise

If your dog spends all day at home alone while you’re at work and has just a few hours of freedom before bed, it only makes sense that He’s restless at night. There’s pent up energy, they’re excited to see you and just want some attention. Exercise is the best solution for this cause of barking. A great solution to this is for you and your dog to exercise together. A long walk or run will help tire both of you out before bedtime.

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Loneliness or Separation Anxiety

Dogs are pack animals, so if left alone in another room at night, they may bark to try and get attention. Allowing your dog to sleep in your room should help to eliminate barking due to separation anxiety. If sleeping in your bedroom isn’t an option, maybe you need another dog for a source of companionship.

Sensitivity to Noises

There’s a reason we get scared of things that go bump in the night — as humans, we fear the unknown, and dogs also feel the same nighttime anxiety. If a dog is fearful, they may bark at any noise they hear that is scary to them or startles them. Couple that with a dogs heightened ability to hear things, and you can imagine how every little noise could even have you on high alert.

They may also bark as an ‘alarm’ to tell those around that something is going on that they should be aware of, so he may just be trying to be a good member of the pack!

What Should You Do?

Constant barking can be irritating, but you won’t be able to correct the dog behavior problem if you are frustrated. Animals don’t follow unbalanced leaders. In fact, your dog will mirror your energy. If you’re frustrated, he will be, too! And barking is a great release for that frustrated energy. Take a moment to curb your own internal barking first.

Excessive barking is often the result of pent-up energy. If this is the case, the solution is simple: release that energy in more productive ways.

  • Does your dog receive a daily walk?
  • Can you make the walk more challenging with a bicycle, a backpack, or by walking on an incline?
  • Can you provide more mental challenges, such as herding, agility training, or simple obedience games?

There are many, many ways to increase the challenges in your dog’s life.

Find one that you enjoy that your dog can participate in safely, and keep on loving life with your best friend!