Why Do Dogs Bark at Night?

A question that puzzles many people is, "Why do dogs bark at night?" It can be a problem. You might think that it goes back to the expression, "baying at the moon" as is often seen in movies depicting a coyote silhouetted on a hilltop.

It's been said that they do not like the silence that overwhelms the countryside after the sun goes down. Others believe that it's their way of warding off evil spirits.

Whatever the cause, when dogs bark at night, it can be a nuisance, especially when their owners do nothing to stop it. There's not much a neighbor can do except kindly ask the owner to do something to prevent this problem behavior.

It's amazing that some owners think it's quite fine for their dogs to bark. That's why they are there, to protect the property and alarm the owners when danger approaches. What they often don't realize is how much it can bother other people. There's little you can do about that.

If it's your dog that's causing the problem, here's some information that might help.

First you have to remember that dogs have extremely keen hearing. During the day, there are plenty of sounds to help drown out the various noises that he might otherwise hear loud and clear. Also, the atmosphere changes at night so that sounds carry much more freely and farther. What he might not hear normally becomes evident at night.

Consider too that night is when many nocturnal animals come out of hiding to forage for food. This includes skunks, raccoons, cats, and small rodents. Your dog can hear every movement and will respond accordingly.

The dog can bark for any number of reasons, from these midnight stalkers to people voices in the distance. If there's a commotion 10 blocks away, there's a very good chance your dog will hear that.

Another reason dogs bark at night is to claim their territory. This is why coyotes bay at the moon; to establish their territory. If another coyote hears his cry, he will immediately know that the area is already taken and will be defended if need be. This goes back to the nocturnal meanderings of animals.

During the day, they are busy staying safe and protecting their families. At night, they hunt for small rodents.

Since dogs and wolves belong to the same family, it's common sense that this instinct will carry over to our pets.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do if dog barking is a problem. The most obvious is to bring your dog inside. As long as he is outside, he will continue to hear noises and feel the need to protect his estate.

It's true that dogs bark at night instinctively. Humans are the ones who need to adapt.