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Restless dog at night? Know that this is a common problem, it occurs mainly according to the age of the dog, but it can also be explained by other reasons.
Here are the top five reasons your dog is restless at night and tips to help your dog calm down and sleep better.
Restless dog at night, see the 5 reasons
1. Health problems
Have you noticed any strange behavior in your dog? Is he a little sad, with behavior that he didn’t have before, or does he drink water and eat less than usual?
Your best friend might be in trouble.
What to do:
If you’re not sure why your dog is restless at night, it’s always a good idea to take your dog to the vet to make sure there are no health issues.
Once health reasons have been ruled out, consider what changes to make to your routine to help you settle down.
2. Loneliness
If your dog is still a puppy, he may miss his mother and siblings and therefore still needs to learn to be alone, especially at night.
The same can happen with a slightly older dog who misses something or someone.
What to do:
It’s important to develop a nighttime routine for your puppy as soon as he arrives in his new home.
Make sure he has his own corner, if he has a cloth or object that has his mother’s scent to put in his bed, this will help him calm down.
Take him for a walk before bed and make sure he takes a bathroom break before bed.
Routine is the key to everything.
A slightly older dog may have had other dogs in the past, so now, in the new home, he suffers from loneliness and missing his friends.
It can take a few weeks for an adopted dog to get used to a new environment, so be patient and establish a routine of daily actions with lots of love and attention for your new friend.
If the puppy is restless at night, put him in a comfortable bed filled with toys and treats and, like a puppy, gradually accustom him to being left alone.
3. Anxiety
There are many things that can make a dog restless at night. Think, for example, if there have been changes in the house…
Did a baby arrive?
Did you leave the dog alone longer than usual?
Are there any sudden loud noises nearby?
Have you moved recently?
A new fact, and that your dog is not used to, can therefore make him anxious and trigger his nocturnal restlessness.
What to do:
If possible, identify the source of the problem and do something to either remove it or help your dog accept it.
If a baby has arrived at home, it is important to prepare him in advance for new smells and noises, to prevent him from developing jealousy and anxiety later on.
A newborn crying at night can actually make the dog feel uncomfortable and agitated, or he could be a little jealous because he doesn’t get the same amount of attention as before.
So make sure his routine is maintained and continue to reassure him when he wakes up during the night.
If your work habits have changed and your dog is left alone longer, he may feel confused and anxious about you spending less time indoors, and this agitation may continue through the night.
The changes in habits caused by the pandemic have changed the routine in recent times, and what was good, for having you around for more time, now generates discomfort because of the separation.
And it confuses them.
But it’s not just the pandemic, any change in habits in your life can trigger that kind of reaction.
Restoring a routine will help your friend adjust to unforeseen events that may occur in life.
4. Little exercise
What all dogs have in common is that they love to walk!
Some breeds require more exercise than others, but a good walk helps them stay physically and mentally fit.
When dogs don’t get enough exercise, they become restless and gain weight, which over time can lead to joint problems, excessive barking, changes in sociability – all of which result in restlessness at night.
What to do :
Establish a good routine to ensure your friend gets the right amount of exercise.
In addition to walking, games like catching a ball or frisbee, tug of war, or mental stimulation through a toy will help.
You may find that socializing and chasing other dogs on an evening walk will be enough for your friend to rest in peace.
Making him tired will help him get a good night’s sleep!
5. Grow
Just like humans, dogs also experience some psychological changes as they age.
They may gain weight, their eyesight gets worse, they may suffer from joint problems and want to sleep more during the day.
In particular, joint pain prevents the dog from sleeping in the same position all night, so he may start moving around the house in search of relief.
What to do:
Shorter, more frequent walks will keep your weight in check.
You may need to keep your dog on a leash to help him feel more confident, especially if his eyesight is poor.
If your dog is restless at night, a short walk before bed will help calm him down.
In case of joint problems it is also important to visit the veterinarian, who will be able to show you how to relieve your friend’s pain and what to do to help him feel calmer and more comfortable.
