Why do dogs bark at night
Dogs are said to be a man’s best friend.
They are our loyal companions us and they always manage to put a smile on our faces.
Yet, a common complaint by many dog owners, along with their neighbors is the incessant barking at night.
This barking is not some random occurrence and can be due to multiple causes.
Causes of Barking
Unfortunately, there is no one answer as to why dogs bark at night.
It is not some constant answer that can be slapped on every dog. It depends on the dog and what is going on in his surroundings.
Most dogs who bark at night do it while they are outside.
This indicates that some external incident must have triggered the barking response in dogs.
Here are a few clues that can lead to understanding the barking-at-night phenomenon.
1. Noises
Dogs have advanced hearing skills that can detect sounds that are way above our normal hearing range.
It is significantly better than ours. Due to this factor, they hear sounds that we may not even hear.
This can happen while at night. If the dog is noise-sensitive and reacts to strange sounds with barking, one can easily conclude that a faraway sound must have set his barking off.
2. Wildlife
Almost every dog has a deep interest in wild animals, such as a squirrel, raccoon, or deer. Although we can't see or hear wildlife near your yard at night, a dog can.
According to Jill Goldman, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist located in Laguna Beach, California, this is a common phenomenon.
She shared her expertise on dogs and wild animals.
"Dogs will bark at sounds and movement in the night, and raccoons and coyotes are often the culprits."
3. Other dogs
Socially facilitated barking, or "group barking," results when a dog hears another dog barking and follows suit.
Since dogs are pack animals, they are very reactive to the behavior of other dogs.
The assumption is common that if a dog in the neighborhood is barking, there must be some solid reason.
With this thought process, other dogs in the area also chime in.
Jill Goldman adds, "There are coyotes in my neighborhood, and every so often, one visits our street at night.
The neighborhood dogs will alarm bark, which will trigger socially facilitated barking, and of course, territorial barking to any foreign visitor.
Depending upon how many dogs are outside and in earshot, a group barking may ensue."
4. Boredom
Dogs are very prone to get bored very easily. They do whatever they can to create their fun. Barking at every sound they hear, joining in with the neighbor dogs in a group barking session, or just barking to let out energy are all reasons behind night barking.
5. Loneliness
Dogs are very social animals. They can become lonely when they are left outside the house, especially at night. Howling is one way for dogs to express this loneliness. They can also bark continuously to try and gain human attention.
Solutions
Here are a few steps to help one reduce or stop this behavior:
One of the best solutions is to bring the dog inside the house if he is normally kept outside at night.
Leaving him outdoors might expose him to sounds and other external stimuli that might further trigger this behavior.
This reduces the chances of the dog feeling boredom and loneliness too.
In case your dog is indoors and reacting to the dogs outdoors, one can install a white noise machine in the room where he/she sleeps.
This will drown out the noises that come from outside.
One might If your dog is indoors but reacting to other dogs barking outdoors, consider putting a white noise machine in the room where he sleeps to help drown out the noise coming from outside.
One can also keep the television or radio on if that does not disturb one’s sleep.
Another way to discourage night barking is to exercise dogs before bedtime.
A good game of fetch or a long walk can help tire him out and make him less interested in barking at the moon.
At the end of the day, it is their nature to help keep us safe from intruders and more.
Dogs always manage to help their companions out, no matter what.
