If your pet is constantly waking you up at 3 am because they are hungry, then adjusting their feeding schedule can help them sleep throughout the night. Or your dog may be waking you up because they have to go outside to use the bathroom.
The most common reasons that dogs wake their owners up could be to use the bathroom, they are hungry for food, or they are just plain bored and want to be with you. These common reasons could come from any dog of any age but depending on the temperament and how your dog acts, it may be best to prepare.
Create a nighttime routine: TV off, hallway light off, outside light off, etc. This will let them know that they have to go potty because you are headed to bed. Try to wake up before they do. If they can wake you to potty, then they will learn that waking you up gets a reward of a bladder release.
Why Won't My Dog Sleep at Night? If your dog is restless, it could be due to several reasons. The dog may be in pain, experiencing separation anxiety, unfamiliar with its environment, or stressed. These are just a few causes of sleepless nights, and getting your pooch back to sleep depends on what's keeping it awake.
Insomnia is rare in dogs and usually indicates another health problem. It can be caused by physical health issues that are painful (like arthritis or an injury), itchy (like fleas), or cause frequent urination (like kidney disease or diabetes). Anxiety, stress and pent-up energy can also lead to insomnia.
Possible psychological causes include the fear of being abandoned when the family goes out for the evening, some element of post-traumatic stress disorder after an upsetting event one evening during a walk or a family argument, or high-frequency sound from the television or other entertainment source upsetting the dog.
A dog waking up too early can be the result of several different things. Your dog might wake up early for simple reasons: being uncomfortable and needing a bathroom break to name a couple. However, more serious reasons include painful health conditions and separation anxiety.
“Dogs may wake their owners up in the morning for a variety of reasons including boredom, the need to relieve themselves, hunger, thirst, fear, and excitement, among others,” says Kay Gramm, dog trainer and AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator in Antelope, California.
Adult dogs sleep longer at night than puppies do — usually between 60% and 80% of the hours between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. depending on their surroundings and their owner's schedule. However, daytime naps are still important for adult dogs, who may sleep for up to 37% of the day.
A young dog can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed, but that doesn't mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That's at least once every 8 hours.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Give Them A Gentle Rub Down
If your dog experiences anxiety at night, giving your dog soft, slow caresses down the side of their face will help them feel relaxed, and allows the two of you to share special bonding time together before bed.
Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of overdose.
Turns out it's not exclusive to us, though: Much like humans, it would appear dogs are also kept awake at night by their worries. A recent Hungarian study published by The Royal Society scientific journal showed that dogs experience disturbed sleep patterns when stressed. That's right, Planet Earth.
Ideally, adult dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 hours. There is some wiggle room, provided that your pooch has access to enough food and water, as well as a place to go potty if they need to.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.
Your dog will likely be just fine staying in your home while you're gone, so depending on how much of the two days you will spend away from home, you can always ask a friend, neighbor or family member to stay over or stop by a few times to spend time with, feed, and check on your dog.
Dogs and Time
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
Your dog may look like she's deeply asleep, but she may very well just be taking a doze. In fact, dogs spend more time in stage two sleep than they do in deep sleep. You may find that your dog is, in fact, pretty much wide awake and ready to spring into action.