How to Stop Your Dog From Waking Up at Night

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Expert advice on training your dog to stay asleep
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Dogs are simply the best, aren’t they? But, getting woken by barking, pacing, pawing, or whining can be anything but ideal (especially in the wee hours of the morning). So, how can you stop this? We talked to dog behaviorist and trainer Beverly Ulbrich to give you the best advice on what to do when your dog keeps waking you up. Keep reading to learn how you can train your pup to sleep through the night as well as the best way to handle the situation if they do wake you up.

Why does your dog wake up at night?

Your dog may be waking up at night because they need to go to the bathroom, are seeking attention, or have an underlying medical condition. Try letting them out one last time before bed, leaving toys out for them at night, or talking to your veterinarian for advice.

Section 1 of 3:

Training Your Dog to Sleep Through the Night

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  1. A regular, predictable sleep pattern makes it easier for your dog to adapt. Do your best to go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.
    • While doggy sleep patterns are different from humans—they can sleep up to 20 hours a day and sleep for shorter amounts of time–your dog will get used to your sleep schedule over time.
  2. If your dog wakes you up at night to go outside, they may have to use the restroom. This isn’t always a sign of a medical problem, but an excessive need to pee could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or Cushing's disorder. A vet can diagnose your pet and prescribe medication to treat this problem. If your vet rules these out, your dog may just have a weak bladder. Try letting them out right before bed or providing a pee pad for them near their bed. [1]
    • A dog door is another solution if you have an enclosed yard and are not concerned about dangerous wildlife.
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  3. A great way to reduce the likelihood that your dog will wake you up is to tire them out before you sleep. You can do this by increasing the amount of time you and your dog exercise together. In the end, a sleeping dog won't be able to wake you up. [2]
    Allie Bender, Certified Dog Trainer

    To stop nightly wake-up calls, first ensure your dog gets sufficient daily enrichment through walks, play, training, and puzzles. An enriched, tired dog sleeps soundly. Additionally, keep the bedroom dark and quiet for uninterrupted rest. If boredom or anxiety persists, speak to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications or calming supplements to promote relaxation.

  4. Altering your dog’s meal schedule can help decrease the chance of your dog waking you up because they’re hungry. Aim to give them their last meal of the day 3 hours before bed. This way, they’ll have time to digest the meal before settling in for the night. [4]
  5. Another reason your dog might be waking you is because they're still awake, energetic, or are just overstimulated. This can be remedied in a number of ways:
    • Don't play with your dog for a couple of hours before bed.
    • Don't leave toys around your dog's sleeping area.
    • Turn off your TV or any music before bedtime. [5]
  6. If you’ve tried everything and your dog still wakes you up, you may consider having your dog sleep in a separate room. By putting your dog in another room, you’ll have restful sleep, and they’ll be undisturbed during the night.
    • Make sure to provide your dog with a comfortable bed if you put them in another room.
    • Be aware that keeping your dog in another room, especially if they’re already used to sleeping with you, might result in crying, barking, or a dog with hurt feelings. [6]
  7. Put your dog in a crate at night. Some dogs may find it hard to sleep without waking up their owner. This is especially true of high-energy dogs that are not crated at night. A solution to this is keeping your dog in a crate at night. By putting your dog in a crate, you’ll send your dog the signal that nighttime is sleep time, and you’ll also remove their ability to run around or disturb your sleep. [7]
    • Housing your dog in a crate at night will prevent them from jumping on you and licking you awake in the morning.
    • Make sure that the crate is big enough for your dog. Dogs 0 to 15 lb (0 to 6,804 g) do best in small crates, 16 to 35 lb (7,300 to 15,900 g) in medium crates, 36 to 65 lb (16,000 to 29,000 g) in large crates, and over 65 lb (29,000 g) in extra-large crates. [8]
  8. Some dogs may bark to wake you up at night because they’re lonely or want your attention. One way to address this is to have your dog sleep in the same room as you. By moving your dog into the same room as you, you may eliminate the reason why your dog is barking and waking you up.
    • Provide your dog with a crate, bed, or somewhere to sleep in your room.
    • Make sure to set boundaries from the very beginning. This means creating a space and training your dog to sleep in that space until you wake up.
  9. If your dog wakes you up more than they used to, a medical problem could affect their sleep or stress levels. [9] Visiting a vet is an excellent first step to rule out this possibility or catch problems early. Even if your pet is not sick, a vet can help you pinpoint the cause. [10]
    • Any significant change in behavior or sleep schedule could be a sign of a medical problem. Difficulty eating or eliminating could point to gastric distress that keeps your dog awake. If your dog wakes you up to beg for food in the night, they may be experiencing increased hunger due to diabetes or another metabolic disorder.
    • Ulbrich advises that unless your dog is sick enough to be throwing up or having diarrhea and needs help getting outside, they’ll eventually be able to sleep through the night. [11]
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Section 2 of 3:

What to Do If Your Dog Wakes Up

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  1. Command your dog to go to sleep . Sometimes, your dog will wake you up because they’re bored or want to play. In this case, command your dog to lie down and go back to sleep.
    • Use a command like “lay down” to get your dog to stop pawing you and licking your face.
    • Say your chosen command in a stern voice.
    • Use the command only once.
    • You may want to point to the ground as you say the command.
    • Training your dog by teaching commands might take several weeks. Don’t lose patience—your dog will eventually learn. [12]
  2. If you reward your dog with attention for waking you up, you will train them to repeat the behavior. Even if they’re whining, barking, or pacing, Ignore your dog's efforts except for a single “lay down” command—even prolonged scolding can be a “reward.” [13]
    • Ulbrich recommends being consistent about not giving your dog attention (other than a reprimand) if they attempt to wake you before you intend to get up. [14]
    • Remember that your dog might genuinely have to go to the bathroom. You know your pup best. If they’re giving you other signs of needing to use the restroom, such as squatting or moving in a circle, let them outside.
  3. Depending on your dog’s general health, you may have to adjust your lifestyle, habits, and schedule to your dog’s needs. By adjusting to your dog’s needs, you’ll reduce the chance that they’ll wake you up. Consult your vet if your dog's medication or feeding schedule makes it difficult for you to sleep.
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Section 3 of 3:

Reasons Your Dog Wakes Up at Night

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  1. More often than not, your dog will wake you up in the middle of the night because they have to pee. This isn’t necessarily because of a health issue, but rather due to when they’re eating and drinking. [15]
    • Try feeding your dog earlier in the day so they have more time to go outside and do their business, or schedule a before-bed potty break so they can sleep more soundly.
  2. Your dog may be waking up in the middle of the night for food or water. This doesn’t necessarily mean they have a medical condition, but it may be a sign to switch up their feeding schedule. [16]
    • Aim to feed your dog later in the day and keep fresh water in their bowl overnight.
    • Automatic feeders and water bowls can be a big help with this, especially if you’re not home to feed your dog at a set time each day.
  3. Sometimes, your dog may wake up because they don’t want to sleep anymore. They’re bored of sleeping! This usually happens when a dog hasn’t been stimulated enough throughout the day and isn’t tired enough to fall asleep soundly. [17]
    • Go for a walk or play with your dog right before bed to help tire them out.
    • Give your dog toys to play with at night to keep them occupied.
  4. If your dog is scratching at the door, pacing, barking, or whining, they’re likely dealing with separation anxiety. This happens when your dog doesn’t want to be apart from you, even if it’s just a room away. [18]
    • Let your dog sleep in the same room as you, or keep the door to your bedroom open so they can come and go as they please.
  5. In rare cases, your dog may have a sleep disorder if they have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Like humans, dogs can get insomnia, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Anxiety, stress, and pain can exaggerate these conditions, making it harder for a dog to sleep. [19]
    • Talk to your veterinarian if you believe your dog has a sleep disorder, as they’ll be able to provide personalized advice and care.
  6. In some cases, a dog might wake up in the middle of the night because they’re experiencing side effects from a medical condition. Urinary tract infections, kidney disease, hormone imbalances, and arthritis can cause pain or discomfort. This discomfort can cause your dog to wake up in the middle of the night looking for attention and support. [20]
    • Talk to your veterinarian if you believe your dog is experiencing pain or discomfort related to a medical condition. They’ll be able to provide personalized care to lessen your dog’s pain and help them sleep better.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Where should I put my dog when it's time to go to bed?
    Beverly Ulbrich
    Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
    Beverly Ulbrich is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association and Rocket Dog Rescue. She has been voted the best private dog trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area 4 times by SF Chronicle and by Bay Woof, and she has won 4 "Top Dog Blog" awards. She has also been featured on TV as a dog behavior expert. Beverly has over 18 years of dog behavior training experience and specializes in dog aggression and anxiety training. She has a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a BS from Rutgers University.
    Beverly Ulbrich
    Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
    Expert Answer
    It's really up to you! You can put them in a crate or on a bed, or you can put them in a specific room. Just make sure to always take them to that space so that they know they can sleep and don't need to wander around the house.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 7
  • Question
    I have a 7-year-old beagle and she whines every night waking me up. She only does this when she is sleeping with me, not any other person in my house. How can I make her stop?
    Community Answer
    Ignore her. You will lose sleep for a while, but completely ignore her. Assuming she doesn't need to pee, when you wake up, say "no" firmly. If she continues, completely ignore her. If the only person she is doing this to is you, it means she knows you will do something (pet her, sweet-talk her, etc.) that she enjoys. If she receives either no attention or only negative attention (i.e., the word "no" or a scruff shake if she tries to jump on your bed), she'll stop. It'll likely take a week or two to stop the problem if you're consistent. Consistency is key.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 28
  • Question
    My dog is fully awake at night, and has to relieve herself. Then, she barks and goes to sleep. What should I do?
    Bleaky
    Community Answer
    Try working on better bathroom habits for your dog, and take her outside before her bedtime, so that she won't have to relieve herself at night. Pertaining to the barking, this may be out of boredom and frustration, so take your dog for a nice, long walk every day and see if the barking situation improves or goes away completely. Or, if you can't manage just one long walk, try to go for a couple short walks. If it's not possible to get out at all, a treadmill can be a good help.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 8
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      2. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      3. ↑ Beverly Ulbrich. Dog Behaviorist & Trainer. Expert Interview. 30 January 2020.
      4. ↑ https://westgreenwichanimalhospital.com/getting-your-puppy-to-sleep-through-the-night/
      5. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      6. ↑ https://pets.thenest.com/can-puppy-sleep-another-room-his-crate-night-12159.html
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      8. ↑ https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/a-trainers-truth-about-crates/
      9. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      1. ↑ https://www.petcarerx.com/article/common-dog-sleep-disorders/896
      2. ↑ Beverly Ulbrich. Dog Behaviorist & Trainer. Expert Interview. 30 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.dogtrainingguide.com/commands.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      5. ↑ Beverly Ulbrich. Dog Behaviorist & Trainer. Expert Interview. 30 January 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      8. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/
      9. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6941081/
      11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6941081/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To stop your dog waking you up at night, let it go to the toilet shortly before going to sleep so it won't wake you. If your dog has a weak bladder, consider using a pee pad or installing a dog door so it can get into the yard. Alternatively, exercise your dog more during the day so it will be tired in the evening and be more likely to sleep. If you think your dog is waking you up because it's hungry, feed it an hour later than usual. Over the longer term, train your dog to respond to your command to lay down or sleep. For tips on when to consult a vet about your dog's sleeping problems, keep reading!

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