A dog that won’t sleep at night can be frustrating. You may love your dog, but when it keeps you up all night, it’s tough to maintain that love. Dogs bark, howl, whine and dig for numerous reasons. Some do it because they’re bored, some because they’re anxious. No matter the reason, there are ways to get your dog to sleep through the night.
Exercise during the day: A tired dog is a good dog. Make sure your pup has plenty of time to run around during the day. If possible, take them on two long walks a day. One in the morning and one at night. This will wear them out and help them sleep better at night.
Set a routine: Dogs are creatures of habit. Having a set bedtime routine will signal to your dog that it’s time to wind down for the night.
Keep them calm before bed: An hour or so before bedtime, turn off all sources of stimulation like the TV and any loud music. This will help your pup relax and get ready for bed. You should also avoid playing with them or giving them too much attention during this time so they don’t get overexcited.
Create a cozy sleeping environment: Just like humans, dogs need a comfortable place to sleep in order to get a good night’s rest. Their bed should be in a quiet area away from drafts or any other source of discomfort. If possible, put their bed near yours so they feel close by and reassured.
Limit food and water before bedtime: It’s best not to give your dog too much food or water right before bedtime so they don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to relieve themselves. However, you shouldn’t let them go too long without it either.
Ignore bad behavior at night: If your dog starts barking or acting up in the middle of the night, don’t give them any attention – positive or negative – as this will only reinforce this behavior. It’s best to ignore them until they settle down and go back to sleep on their own.
Give them something to do at night: Boredom is often the root cause of nighttime mischief for dogs. To keep their minds occupied (and tired), give them a favorite treat right before bedtime. This will give them something to do besides make noise and bother you all night long!
Use white noise: If your dog is particularly anxious or easily startled, playing soft background noise like rain sounds or ocean waves can help soothe them and lull them off to sleep easier Each type of noise has its own calming effect on different types of dogs so experiment with different sounds until you find one that works for yours.
Consider CBD oil: CBD oil has been shown to help reduce anxiety in dogs. If your dog is finding it hard to relax and settle down at night due mostly to anxiety, CBD oil may be worth trying.
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Talk to your vet: If you’ve tried everything on this list and nothing seems to be working, it may be time to talk to your vet about other options such as medication or behavioral therapy.
Conclusion
Trying out different methods until you find one that works best for both you and your furry friend is key when getting your dog to sleep through the night! Hopefully one – or more – of these tips will help you and your dog achieve some long-awaited peaceful ZZZs!
