According to surveys, nighttime barking is by far the most common complaint among dogs. But few neighbors here complain to the dog owner. [1]
Rather, they call the public order office directly. And since dogs barking at night is a “disturbing nuisance” according to the BGB, a fine of up to €5,000 is due.
According to studies, the biggest troublemakers include young dogs and almost all German Shepherd breeds. But guard dogs are also at the forefront. [2]
Below you will learn the 18 most common causes of nighttime barking and what can help.
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Why dogs bark at night
Most often, dogs bark at night due to loneliness, fear or strange dogs. But there are also 15 other reasons for barking.
#1 Parasites
Depending on the breed, dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors. This means that your nose is up to 50 times better than that of us humans with 6 million olfactory receptors.
If your dog barks at the walls, cupboards or floors in your apartment at night, this could indicate possible parasites.
The typical nocturnal pests in Germany include bed bugs, cockroaches, moths and mites. A call to an exterminator can help here.
#2 Loneliness
When dogs feel lonely, it can manifest itself in very different ways. Some suddenly start gnawing on things, others start howling or barking at night.
It is often triggered by the dog being near the owner almost the entire day and then being locked out of the bedroom to sleep. [3]
There are also dogs such as the English Fox Terrier that were specifically bred in packs. Without another dog, loneliness is inevitable for them.
#3 Pain
Dogs usually bark to sound the alarm. It not only serves to reveal one's own position, but also to request support at the same time.
If your dog is in pain, then the barking at night could just be a cry for help. In this case, dogs usually bark a little higher than normal. [4]
Other symptoms of pain include a lowered head, restlessness, and excessive licking. When the pain is very severe, dogs also hunch back more often.
#4 Fear
A new home, separation anxiety or even loud noises are triggers enough to trigger anxiety disorders in sensitive dogs.
In this case, barking at night is just a symptom of fear. Affected dogs often pant, tend to engage in repetitive behavior and are often unusually aggressive. [5]
A little attention and distraction can be enough to get anxiety under control. In serious cases, anxiety-relieving medication may also be necessary.
#5 Strange dogs
You've probably noticed that you're very alert when someone says your name in a crowd. Not true?
Well, dogs have roughly the same sensitivity when it comes to the sounds of other dogs. No matter whether it is a bark, yelp, howl or whine.
Even if it sounds completely silent to you, a dog may be making noises far away. Barking at night is used for communication.
#6 Boredom and attention
Dogs need different amounts of affection and attention depending on their breed. If they don't get this, then boredom sets in.
This often leads to them suddenly starting digging and gnawing or even keeping the neighbors awake at night with their barking.
A clear sign here is when the dog stands on its front paws and wags its tail. The solution is to provide more entertainment.
#7 Wildlife
Hunting and sniffer dogs in particular are very sensitive when it comes to the smell and sounds of strange animals. This is especially true for rural life.
Barking at night can therefore be a warning or simply an indication of other animals causing mischief outside.
Typical examples here are rats, martens, foxes, squirrels, owls, rabbits and hedgehogs. Depending on the region, wild boars, lynxes, roe deer and deer are also possible.
#8 Stress
Many lap dog breeds and other sensitive dogs bark more often due to stress. In addition to separation anxiety, it can also simply be the stress caused by the new neighbor's dog.
In such a case, barking at night is usually accompanied by heavy panting, restless pacing and trembling. [6]
The solution here is to gradually accustom the dog to the apparent threat. Physical activity and paying more attention to it also helps.
#9 Excess energy
In hunting and sheepdogs, barking in the evening and at night can also be a sign of insufficient mental and physical activity.
Other symptoms include constant whining, hyperactivity and sudden digging in the apartment. This is also very common for apartment and city dogs without a garden.
Here you should walk your dog more often or for longer, provide more toys or get him a four-legged play partner.
#10 Breed-Specific Behavior
Until a few decades ago, it was more the rule than the exception to keep dogs for a specific purpose. For example, as a shepherd or hunting dog.
Some guard dogs, on the other hand, were specifically bred to keep both thieves and vermin away from the house by barking frequently at night.
In this case, barking is a breed-specific instinct. This behavior is particularly common in Great Dane species. Exercising is particularly difficult here.
#11 Squeezing bladder
While adult dogs can hold their bladder for up to 12 hours, young puppies can only hold their bladder for 1-3 hours.
If your dog barks at you at night, it is often a sign that he needs to go outside for a moment. In this case, my own dogs usually scratch at the door.
This is most often the case with young house trained dogs. Because they have already learned that peeing is forbidden in the apartment, their bladders are not yet fully developed.
#12 Warning
Theft used to be part of everyday life. Many domestic dogs were therefore specially bred to warn off possible burglars.
Fortunately, life in Germany is much more peaceful these days. And yet many dogs have the instinct to bark at every little noise in the night.
Dogs are often triggered to bark, especially in apartment buildings or heavily populated residential areas.
#13 Dementia
According to studies, around one in four dogs over the age of 11 and around ⅔ of all dogs over the age of 15 suffer from dementia. As a result, the ability to think and remember decreases significantly. [7]
Barking at night can be an indication that the dog does not recognize its own home, other pets or even individual family members.
Affected dogs are usually very disoriented, irritable, and walk around restlessly. In addition, many suffer from incontinence and ignore long-established commands. [8]
#14 Separating the mother too early
According to the Animal Welfare Act, puppies must spend at least the first 8 weeks with their mother. Otherwise, serious behavioral problems can be expected.
Among other things, this can manifest itself in severe restlessness or barking, whining or whining at night. Most breeders therefore recommend separating puppies from their mother after 12 weeks at the earliest.
However, puppies develop at different rates. It also happens that even 12-week-old puppies are still too insecure and fearful.
#15 Cold or heat
Dogs are much less able to adapt to heat than we humans are. This is because they cannot regulate their body temperature through sweating.
If your dog barks at night in midsummer, it may simply be due to heat exhaustion. Heavy panting is the most common symptom here.
However, the opposite case can also occur. Short-haired dog breeds in particular have difficulty dealing with the cold and freeze very quickly in winter.
#16 Poor night vision
Various diseases can cause a dog's vision to decrease significantly at night. Older dogs are particularly often affected here.
Barking at night is just a sign of disorientation. Other symptoms include enlarged pupils, changing eye color and aggressiveness. [9]
Typical causes include glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, progressive retinal atrophy and diabetes. If you suspect this, you should visit the vet here.
#17 Other noises
Dogs can perceive sounds at a frequency of up to 45,000 Hz. For us humans, however, it stops at 23,000 Hz. [10]
They also have around 20 different muscles to align the ear. This means they are able to perceive sounds from a distance 4 times further away.
Specifically, this means that dogs can hear so well that it is unimaginable for us humans. The barking at night may be due to a noise that you can't even hear.
#18 Hunger or stomach pain
In contrast to humans, dogs' means of communication are very limited. Barking can therefore have different meanings depending on the situation.
Among other things, it can be a cry for help that your dog is in pain. If he has eaten shortly before going to sleep, stomach pain is very common.
Other symptoms include constant licking and a tucked tail. In other cases, the barking could just be an indication that you forgot the food.
Stop barking at night
Just like digging, barking is one of dogs' natural instincts. In all cases, breaking the habit will take a few weeks.
Your chances are best if you can find out the cause of the nighttime barking. If that doesn't work, the following 10 tips can help:
Exhausted dogs are calm dogs. This is especially true if your four-legged friend is one of the more active and energetic dog breeds.
An extra walk just before bedtime can help here. But throwing games in the afternoon are also ideal.
If you can influence it yourself, try to eliminate potential sources of noise. The fewer triggers your dog gets, the less likely he is to bark at night.
If this is not possible, then a new place to sleep may also make sense. Maybe you have a room in your apartment with particularly thick walls?
Dogs learn through feedback – just like us humans. Specifically, this means: Rewarded behavior is repeated, punished behavior is avoided.
Violence usually damages more than it helps. Instead, a clear, strict “no” with a raised finger or spraying…