“My dog can’t sleep!” is a sentence every dog owner has said at one point or another. A restless Fido can cause their parents to lose sleep as well. There can be many reasons why your dog can’t sleep. Observing your dog's behaviors around bedtime can help you understand the reason your dog refuses to settle down for the night.
Sometimes the cause can be related to your dog's stress levels. Have you ever stayed up at night, worrying about work the next day? If your dog could talk, they might tell you a similar story.
Since our dogs can't talk, here are some behaviors to look for before bedtime that may indicate that your dog is having anxiety:
Excessive scratching or licking
Repeated pacing
Following you around constantly
Extreme whining or howling particularly when their human leaves the room
General restlessness particularly when attention turns away from them
Dogs can often respond to the energy of the household and, like children, struggle to separate themselves from it without training. So if your pet seems anxious, take a moment to consider the home environment. Having a calm routine for bedtime can do wonders for your dog, and a Bedtime Bone wouldn't hurt either!
As always, consult a veterinarian for the best of your dog's health!
