Dallas Vet Clinic
Dog Barking
Dog barking is something that many dog owners would love to eliminate or at least reduce, especially nighttime barking. Dogs bark when they need to communicate something that has alerted them. This is a built in reaction that has been ingrained in them for millions of years, so it isn't likely to go away any time soon. However, you can take steps to reduce the number of times your dog wakes you up with barking in the middle of the night.
Dogs bark in the nighttime for various reasons. If they need food, to go to the restroom, or if they see someone or an animal in the front yard, they're probably going to bark. While it may be difficult to keep small animals from running across the yard at night, you can take control of your dog's nighttime hunger and bowel issues.
If your dog is barking because it is hungry, you need to feed it closer to bed time. About 2 hours before bed time is great because that gives them enough time to digest, which leads you right into the next thing you can do to reduce nighttime dog barking.
Walk your dog just before you go to bed. This should empty the dog's bowels for the night so that they don't come waking you when they can't hold it anymore.
Taking your dog for another walk when you wake up will teach it to hold its bladder in the night until you wake up. You'll want to feed your dog right after this break. Once you and your dog are on the same schedule, you'll be able to sleep longer and harder.
For more information on reducing dog barking, come into our Dallas vet clinic and let us go over some possible causes. After we discover the culprit, we'll work with you to find a viable solution that works for you.