You have just gotten into bed and want to sleep when you hear your dog leaving its sleeping place.
Even at night you wake up again and again because your furry friend gets up.
But why do dogs wander at night, and is that even normal? If this question bothers you, you should read on now.
Why do dogs wander at night?
If your dog wanders around at night, don’t worry. There can be various reasons why he does not continue to sleep peacefully.
separation anxiety
Maybe your dog prefers to sleep close to his caregiver. If this person is not there, the dog can become restless.
Separation anxiety can also occur.
stress
Has your dog just finished a holiday trip, is it new in your house, or has something else changed?
Stressful situations like these can cause your dog to become restless and wander around the house at night.
Stress can also arise for your dog if he urgently needs to urinate but cannot get out.
sleeping place
Maybe your dog doesn’t lie well on his dog bed, or maybe noise, drafts or heat bother him.
An unsuitable sleeping space can make your dog run around at night.
Maybe in the summer he’s looking for a cool spot on the floor while he’s in the Winter prefers to lie on his blanket by the heater slumbers.
boredom
Has your furry nose a day enough workload? If your dog lacks exercise, then it may be that he burns off this energy in the evening.
This can lead to your dog running around at night and not getting enough sleep.
Are dogs more active at night than during the day?
Dogs are usually no more active at night than during the day, although it sometimes seems like it is.
Unlike us humans, dogs have different ones throughout the day active and rest periods.
So your dog will certainly sleep and doze again and again during the day.
This behavior may be due to its wolf descent. Because as a predator, it adapts to the behavior of its prey.
In the course of living together, many fur noses adapt to the daily rhythm of their owners. But that has to work itself out first.
So it can happen, especially in the early days, that your dog’s rhythm doesn’t match your rhythm of life.
What can I do if my dog wanders at night?
If your dog often wakes up at night and wanders off due to lack of exercise, you can incorporate more exercise and mental activity into the daily routine.
It’s a good idea to take your dog for a walk or play outside before bed.
A fixed appointment for dog sports can also keep your dog busy.
Activities like fetching or hidden object games can make your dog tired, and they can sleep better at night without wandering around the house.
Also check whether your dog’s sleeping place is suitable. Maybe he prefers to lie down somewhere else at night because something is bothering him.
If your dog prefers to be close to you, but is not allowed in the bedroom, you might be able to put his basket in front of your door.
Sticking to regular times and routines can also help your dog sleep better at night.
If your day follows a certain pattern, then your dog will quickly recognize it and know when it is time to rest.
Good to know
If your dog is not only very restless at night, it may also be that he is in pain. It is best to have this checked out by a veterinarian.
Is it normal for my dog to bark and howl at night?
If your dog barks or howls at night, this may well be normal behavior. Many dogs draw attention to themselves with these noises.
If your dog hears something in the house or in the surrounding area at night, it may be that he wants to sound the alarm by barking.
But sometimes it’s also a response to another dog’s bark or howl.
However, if your dog barks excessively, it can also indicate other causes such as stress.
However, if your dog is barking and howling at night, it may also be because he is frustrated or feeling alone.
It is best to observe your dog’s behavior in order to be able to draw conclusions about the causes.
If your dog makes a lot of noise at night and it disturbs you or your neighbors, it may be advisable to call in a dog trainer.
Does your dog sometimes wander at night? Let us know in the comments what could be causing it and if you do anything about it.