It’s not uncommon for dogs to make sounds like barking. After all, they have to make themselves understood and communicate somehow.
But what if the dog howls, and at night in his sleep? Which causes can be behind it and What can you do about it?
You will find the answers in the following guide.
Dog howls at night and while sleeping – 8 causes
Below we look at the reasons why a dog howls in its sleep at night – and a bad reason is not always the trigger.
dreams
dogs dream – just like us humans and many other animals. It is quite normal that the fur nose starts to howl at the same time.
Also the sounds of muscle twitches accompanied, for example in the paws and legs.
nightmares
It’s not always good dreams, thoughthat cause the dog to make howling noises.
Unfortunately, a furry nose can also go under nightmares Suffer. Especially if she has not yet processed a bad experience.
Good to know:
That it is such a dream you can tell by the type of noise.
Because these become clear different from a «normal» howl and sometimes even sound like screams. In short: sounds that can be really frightening.
Fear
Speaking of unsightly things that can stress the dog while sleeping: Also Fear can be a reasonwhy your four-legged friend howls while sleeping.
You can do this here too Recognize the cause by the type of sound.
Your dog howls like a wolf in his sleep Or does your dog howl like a wolf at night? Then can anxiety and stress behind these animal sounds.
Good to know:
If fear is the cause, then it is too not uncommon for your dog to startle and wander around, slightly confused.
You can also recognize it by the fact that your dog Avoiding eye contact with you as well as his rod retracts.
boredom
dogs want busy throughout the day and be challenged. If not, they are bored and make this known.
Particularly «affected» – especially when it comes to the night’s sleep – puppies.
Do you have yourself cannot let off steam enough, this will be made up for at night. Accompanied by howls, whines and all the sounds that could get you out of bed.
stomach pain
Also stomach pain can be the trigger when a dog starts howling at night and while sleeping.
But this is also related to when he had his dinner. Was this just before bed often affects the sensitive digestion.
Now the stomach rebels, the dog starts to howl. It’s also logical – how else should he draw your attention to the fact that he’s not doing so well?
Already knew?
Avoid especially at night most dogs, conscious sounds to give away. They inherited this habit from the wolf.
Because every nocturnal sound can alert a potential attacker – and anyone who has just slept is not really prepared for a defense.
toothache
Let’s continue Painswhich can affect another part of the body: the mouth or the Teeth.
You may already know that he may be suffering from these recognizable by typical symptoms. The dog has problems eatingis much more cautious when chewing.
Also he would like no longer touched by the snout become. Because the pain him not even at night let go, he begins to howl and whimper.
That means for you: The next morning we go to the vet.
earache
Does your dog suddenly howl at night? Then you can too earache be the reason. The same applies here as with toothache.
They don’t just fade away – or report, regardless of whether the dog is awake or not.
You can do one here too possible irritation to the behavior of the dog recognize. Usually he tilts his headhe can also under balance disorders Suffer.
Alzheimer
Unfortunately, dogs are not available either Nervous diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s protected. Older dogs in particular can suffer from this.
You know for a fact that Alzheimer’s is progressive to massive memory lapses leads. And these in turn resolve confusion, insecurity and fear out of.
Does your senior suddenly howl in his sleep? Then he knows maybe not where exactly he is, let alone who he actually (still) is.
Dog suddenly howls at night – what to do?
Does your dog suddenly howl at night?
Then First the most important thingwhat you can do: Let him sleep! It doesn’t matter how much the lute frightened you.
It doesn’t matter how much you suffer and worry because of your dog’s noise. The worst thing you can do now is wake him up.
Why?
in case of a nightmare is he in a difficult situation for him caught. This does not end automatically when you wake him up. On the contrary – he will confused be and can not between dream and reality differentiate
As a result, that means: He is even more traumatized than already. And becomes his fear possibly in aggression transform – and project onto you.
Him to keep sleepingalso applies for all other possible causeswho are behind the nightly howl.
are they Painssuch as ears or teeth, there’s not much you can do at night anyway. That may sound mean, but it is absolutely not meant that way.
And yes, we know your night’s sleep has taken its toll because, being a good dog person, you worry.
What you can do if your furry friend wakes up from howling: They cuddle and give her a home remedy that relieves the pain until she goes to the vet.
Beyond that, there’s not much you can do other than try to get a handle on your rising anxiety and panic. Then Your dog can’t use your stress now – in fact, he will make himself worse off.
Dog howls at night in his sleep or when he is alone – how do I get him out of the habit?
Let’s assume that the howling fur nose is still a puppy is. And doesn’t like it when he’s alone, no matter what time of the day (this can of course also be the case with a adult dog happen).
Here it makes sense for both of you to give him this to train behavior. Because the howling gets on your nerves – let’s be honest. It will also disturb your neighbors – who then do not always necessarily react to it with understanding.
With the following tips you can help your dog help stop whining.
Do enough with him
Straight before bedtime it makes sense, your dog to keep busy again. Because like that it dissipates excess energyhe will tired. And if you’re tired, ideally you’ll sleep through the night.
Set him up a retreat/sleeping place
And so that sleep is particularly deep and calm, your dog should naturally have a quiet and dark place to sleep.
This retreat is important, because this belongs only to him. If he is not disturbed here, he feels safe and secure. And then you can travel to the land of dog dreams with peace of mind.
Don’t automatically respond to every howl
This is probably for yourself a hurdle you have to overcome. Because a howling dog gets us right in the heart. And we want to run to him immediately and comfort him.
But it is important that you are here persevere. Your dog should already know that you are near him.
Do you run to him immediately? Then he has you wrapped around his four paws. He connected his howling that you are immediately by his side. And thus you both end up in a vicious circle that doesn’t help either of you.
Reward him when he overcomes these hurdles
Dogs learn the fastest when associated something positive with an achievement is. Did your dog manage to spend the night or even the day in your absence without howling?
Then you can him reward with a treat – or with one common play or cuddle unit.
Good to know:
In many cases there is one deep-seated separation anxiety behind the howl. The dog is simply afraid that you won’t come back, he’ll be alone forever.
This is for the fur nose absolute stress – and of course for you too. This makes it all the more important that separation anxiety is a) recognized as quickly as possible and b) gotten under control as quickly as possible!
Conclusion
Your dog howls at night, while sleeping, all of a sudden? Then the causes presented here may have set the trigger.
It’s important, that You keep calm yourself. Because it is not for nothing that it is said: let sleeping dogs lie. In addition, your concern is transferred to your fur nose. Which in turn makes a scary situation even worse for them.
Are pain the reason, why your dog starts howling and whimpering at night? Then can some pain-relieving home remedies will helpuntil you can go to the vet the next day.
If your fur nose is still a puppy, you can with a few exercises help to stop the nocturnal howling and wandering.
Have you ever been woken up by your dog’s howling at night? If yes: What was the reason? And how could you help your four-legged friend?
We’d love for you to share your experiences and tips with us in the comments!