Are night times with your pup taking their toll? Feeling sleep-deprived and zombie-like because your pup is keeping you awake? Getting into a night time routine can be one of the first challenges you face with a new puppy around. Especially if your pup is getting scared at night time, howling and disturbing you and your neighbours.
If your pup is scared at night and keeps you awake we’re here to help, we’re going to tell you why your pup might be scared at night, what signs of anxiety to look out for, how to tell if your pup is scared of the dark and how you can help your pup settle at night.
Before we dive in, have you downloaded the Zigzag puppy training app? It’s full of training guides and content just like this and gives you a step by step guide to training your puppy all specific to their age and breed type. We even have a team of puppy coaches on hand 24/7 to deal with literally anything you might be struggling with, puppy related of course.
Why do Puppies Get Scared at Night?
The main reason puppies get scared at night is that they just aren’t used to there being a difference between night and day. With their littermates they sleep, eat, play, repeat. When they arrive home they find themselves alone probably for the first time ever.. Scary stuff huh?
Signs of Anxiety in Puppies
Puppies will often show signs of anxiety as they learn how the world works. As they mature and grow in confidence and independence, novel things have less of an impact (until they hit a fear period) and they are less reliant on their human owners for reassurance and support.
Whilst your puppy is young here are some signs of anxiety in your puppy to look out for.
Excessive Barking/ Howling
This is potentially the reason you are reading this and is usually the first outward sign you may notice that your pup is feeling anxious or unsure about what’s going on. Puppies struggle to control barking and whining, so it can be an indication that they are worried.
Changes in Body Language
Unfortunately puppies don’t speak our language, but they do communicate how they are feeling through their body language. Changes to what is normal for your pup such as shaking, trembling, tucking their tail under their body or cowering in a corner could indicate your puppy is feeling anxious.
Panting and Drooling
When puppies get stressed you might notice them panting or drooling even when it’s not hot, or they haven’t been physically active. This can be a sign of anxiety but also a sign of pain, so it may be worth getting a check-up at your vet too to rule out any pain.
Pottying in the house
Puppies have accidents while they are being potty trained, that’s a given. But if your pup has been doing well with potty training and is having accidents it could indicate some anxiety. Look for some of the other signs of anxiety though as in isolation accidents are usually just that.
Puppies generally don’t like to mess where they sleep so if your pup is pottying in their crate or bed then this can be a good sign there’s some anxiety at play.
Licking Lips
This is a really subtle sign of anxiety but watch your dog and see if they lick their lips when faced with something new. A dog in the distance for example or fireworks might cause your dog to lick their lips. It’s a stress reliever for our dogs, so it’s a good sign that something is worrying them.
Yawning
If your pup is settling down for a nap then a gentle yawn is perfectly normal. You may notice your dog doing a different type of yawn though completely away from any signs of resting. A stressed or anxious yawn is often deeper and harder than a soft sleepy yawn and may be combined with a sound or a head shake.
Hiding Away
If your puppy is cowering in a corner or hiding under furniture then it’s pretty indicative something has scared them or is making them anxious. Be patient and kind if your puppy is behaving like this and try to figure out the source of the worry.
Is My Puppy Scared of the Dark?
The truth is they can be scared, sort of.. But not in the same way as we might. Dogs’ night vision is much better than ours so it’s not common but if something happened in the dark that scared them they may be anxious when in the dark again.
5 Reasons Why Your Puppy May Be Scared at Night
Loneliness
For young puppies this is a really big deal and probably the first reason to rule out if your puppy is scared at night. Puppies just aren’t equipped to go it alone when they are young. Most often they have never been alone at night until they arrive in their new home, so it’s really scary for them. We always recommend having your pup close to you at night time for those early weeks just while they develop some independence and confidence. It’s also been shown to help prevent separation anxiety from developing as they grow older.
Pain
If your puppy or dog is showing signs of distress at night it is important to book a check-up with your vet to rule out any pain or health problems. Pain can make it harder for them to get comfortable at night so can cause signs of anxiety and stress.
Noise Phobia
Dogs have very sensitive hearing so things we may not be aware of can easily frighten them especially if they are alone at night. Nighttime sounds can seem much louder and more scary when the house goes still and quiet.
General Anxiety and Fear
If your puppy is generally more fearful and anxious by nature then it just being nighttime can make them more worried. There is less going on to distract them, less background noise in the house and being alone if they are away from you can cause all sorts of worry.
Lack of Exercise/ Stimulation
If your dog isn’t getting quite enough exercise be that physical or mental for their breed type then this can cause your pup to be restless at night. The happy chemicals produced by plenty of exercise and stimulation can help relieve any worries your dog or pup may have about nighttime, they will be tired and better able to settle.
How to Help My Dog Overcome Their Anxiety at Night
Firstly rule out any medical reason or pain that might be causing the anxiety by having your pup checked over by a Vet. If they get the all clear here are some things you can do to help your pup be less scared at night and sleep through.
Comfort and Reassure
Especially important with young puppies you must give your puppy the comfort and reassurance they need. Don’t let your pup just ‘cry it out’ this has proven to cause a great deal of stress and your puppy just learns they can’t rely on you.
To reduce loneliness, have your pup close to you so they learn that night times are actually OK and will transition away from you eventually, if that’s what you choose.
Mental and Physical Exercise
Make sure your dog is getting a good amount of physical exercise as well as mental activity. Puzzle toys, scent games, trick training, or training games are all good ways to stretch a dog’s mind.
A Comfy Bed
Provide a warm comfortable bed for your pup to get super cosy in. You can also put an item of your clothing in with them, to help them feel more relaxed.
Remove sources of stress
Close curtains so the fox or cat visiting the garden in the night doesn’t worry your pup. Use a white noise machine or sounds designed for dogs to help calm and block out any noises your pup might find worrying.
Pheromones
A calming pheromone diffuser or spray can help your pup feel more relaxed. A spray on their bed before bedtime can help ease any worry.
Night time Routine
Having a good night time routine can help your pup settle for the night. Pups like to know what’s likely to happen next so having the same routine every night will prevent any worry from building and help your pup settle.
We hope you have enjoyed our article on why is my puppy scared at night. If you have, why not check out our articles on why does my puppy snore or how to get your pup to sleep through the night.
Before you go though be sure to download the Zigzag puppy training app, it’s tailored to your dog’s breed type and life stage so gives you all the info you need just at the right time. We even have our own team of expert puppy coaches on hand 24/7 for when you are really struggling or just need a bit of reassurance.
