Why Does My Dog Growl At Night?

If your dog is growling, this can be a little annoying. But what might be something that’s a little annoying to you, might be something quite serious to them; therefore, it’s important you find out this reason in case any treatment is needed.

Why Does My Dog Growl At Night?

There are multiple reasons why your dog is growling at night. It can be due to possessiveness, anxiety, playfulness, not getting enough exercise, or something serious such as illness or injury.

Why Does My Dog Growl At Night When I Move Him?

Dogs often don’t like to be disturbed, especially when they’re asleep as it’s when they least expect it. So if you suddenly try to move them and they’re not expecting it, they might growl at you and get annoyed because they don’t like it.

Why Does My Dog Keep Growling At Night?

There are multiple reasons why your dog growls at night. They might be in pain, they might not like that they’ve been left alone, or they might be frustrated in some way, amongst many other reasons.

Why Does My Dog Growl At Night At Nothing?

You might think that your dog is growling at nothing, however, this is unlikely to be the case. There is always a reason behind your dog barking, you might just not realise it. In this case, it’s likely to be along the lines of smelling or hearing something that you can’t.

Why Does My Dog Only Growl At Night?

If you have noticed that your dog is only growling at night and not during the day, this is likely due to them experiencing some sort of nighttime anxiety or having previously experienced trauma at nighttime that makes them too scared to sleep or be on their own.

Why Is My Dog Growling At Night All Of A Sudden?

If your dog hasn’t started growling before, particularly if they’re only just starting to growl at night, there is likely a cause surrounding it. Once you’ve figured out this cause, you can then start to try to resolve it.

What Does It Mean When A Dog Growls While Sleeping?

If your dog is growling whilst they are sleeping, this can mean multiple things. However, the most likely reason is that they are having some sort of bad dream and they are growling because they’re not happy with what’s happening in their dream.

Dog Growls At Husband/Wife/Family Members At Night?

This can be due to a number of different reasons. They might be trying to sleep and be annoyed. Or for a more serious reason, they may have previously experienced some trauma involving people moving around at night, so growl out of fear.

Why Does My Dog Growl At Night?

Just Looking For Attention

Dogs love getting your attention and if in the past they have growled and you have given them some form of attention, they now see this as their sign to growl so you will engage with them in some way. Try to do the opposite next time and eventually they’ll stop doing it.

Just Want To Play

Some dogs are particularly energetic and if they don’t get enough exercise during the day, then they’ll seek this out at night. Make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise during the day and this way, they won’t be annoying you with their growls for playtime at night.

Pup Wants Something

As dogs can’t communicate with us through words, they have to communicate with us in other ways, such as by growling. Your dog might be alerting you to them wanting some water or food or needing to go out to the toilet. They shouldn’t be shushed as they need to communicate.

Dog Thinks Its Fun To Growl At Night

Most people associate dogs growling with them being aggressive or in a bad mood, but it can be done because they’re happy. They might see growling as a game or they might be playing with their toys at night which causes them to growl from having fun.

Trying To Dominate You

Dogs need to learn their hierarchy in the pack and this hierarchy is you as the leader and they are your follower. Most dogs know this naturally, but there will be a few who think they’re better than you. Make sure they know their place and they should stop growling.

 

Tiredness

Dogs need plenty of sleep. In fact, they need much more sleep than we do, so try not to keep them up too much during the day (or night) as this will make them overtired. Either that, or if they’re tired and you won’t leave them alone, they might be a little snappy with you.

Anxiety

Anxiety can occur due to a number of different reasons and can look different in various people and animals. One way this may look in your dog is by growling. If this occurs at night, this suggests your dog is anxious about something that happens at night, which you’ll need to find the reason for.

Dog Is Frustrated

Dogs can get frustrated very easily. Perhaps they’ve lost their favourite toy under a cabinet and they can’t get at it. Or maybe they see someone or another animal they know that they want to go and see but can’t because they’re stuck inside. Dog frustration is very common, but they’ll soon calm down.

Bad Diet

It’s very easy for you to give your dog the wrong diet, particularly as different dogs have different needs. Either that or you’re feeding them too much or not enough or feeding them at the wrong times. Try to figure out something that works best for your dog, which should help them stop growling.

 

Excessive Pent Up Energy, Not Enough Activity / Exercise

The amount of exercise each dog should get varies by breed. Some dogs will need lots of exercise, others will only need a short walk. Making sure your dog is getting plenty of play time and exercise every day so they are worn out enough at the end of the day to sleep lots.

 

A Bad Habit, This Behavior Has Been Encoraged In The Past

It’s very easy to encourage bad behaviour and this can stem from the first time the behaviour happened as you may have assumed it was a one off, only for it to continue. For example, your dog started growling one night so you gave them a toy, which they now assume will happen each time they growl.

 

Fear

Dogs can be fearful of many things and it’s fear that can cause them to growl. If you have ruled out other factors, or you notice them displaying signs that they are scared of something, try and eliminate this cause if you can, or help them learn to get used to it.

 

Separation Anxiety

Just like us, dogs can also experience separation anxiety. This is particularly likely to occur at night if you leave your dog downstairs on their own whilst you’re upstairs. This is why you need to get your dog used to being alone as early as possible so they don’t react badly to it.

 

You Tried To Move The Dog While It Was Fats Asleep

Dogs tend to go into a deep sleep, which is why they sleep so much during the day and don’t always seem to be disturbed by everything that’s going on. This is why they might growl or show aggression if you try to move them because they’re not expecting it.

Pain

Just like us, dogs will experience some form of pain in their life. This is particularly likely to happen when they are older, such as if they have arthritis. Look out for signs they are in pain and take them to the vet to see if they can be treated.

 

Illness

As dogs can’t speak, one of their ways of showing that they’re ill is to growl. There are various illnesses that dogs can get, so look out for any other signs and symptoms you may notice and take them to the vet to get treated.

Discomfort, Issues With Your Dog’s Sleeping Setup

Dogs require their room to be a perfect place for them to sleep in. This includes having a comfy bed and the room being the right temperature and not too bright. If any of these are an issue, your dog will struggle to get to sleep and this can cause them to growl.

Injury

A big giveaway that they’re growling because they’re injured is if they’re also limping or showing any other signs of the fact that they’re injured. Just like if you suspect they’re ill, you should take them to the vet to get them checked over and treated for any possible injuries they have.

Trauma

Growling from trauma is likely to occur if you have a rescue dog who may have previously experienced something bad at night in their previous ‘home’. In this case, give your dog plenty of reassurance and eventually they will learn that the night is nothing to be scared of.

Old Age

Old age happens to us all, including dogs. This can cause things such as dementia and general confusion. The best thing you can do is to keep your dog as calm as possible as this, unfortunately, isn’t anything that can be changed.

Dementia (Cognitive Dysfunction/Sundowners Syndrome)

As dogs get older, it’s likely they will encounter dementia or some form of cognitive dysfunction. A consequence of this is confusion, which can cause your dog to growl and become a bit aggressive because they don’t know how to deal with it. It’s also a sign that they’re scared.

Loss Of Vision

A loss of vision in your dog can cause them to become quite anxious because they can’t see what they used to be able to, which means they become more aware of what may or may not be around them and become afraid of the unknown.

Dog Needs To Pee

Dogs don’t have a toilet, which is why you need to ensure you let them out to pee as regularly as they need to go, particularly before they go to bed. This should be at the latest time possible and failure to do so can cause them to have an accident.

Dog Is Lonely

Dogs are social animals and they love to be around other people. So if they are left in a room or an area by themselves, they might start to growl because they don’t like being on their own and they want to be surrounded by others.

 

Possessive Behaviour

Dogs tend to get possessive over anything they think belongs to them. If, for example, it’s getting close to their bedtime and you start moving their bed, they might growl because it’s their bed and they don’t want you to touch it.

Territorial Behaviour

This may also be seen as protection aggression and your dog will do this if they come across any people or animals who they don’t see as belonging to ‘their’ territory, which is due to their protective nature.

 

Nightmares

Just like us, dogs can also have nightmares. This could either be of something they’ve experienced, such as a time they were left alone and were scared, or of something they’ve never experienced.

Trying To Warn You

Dogs are very loyal animals and with this loyalty comes warning you of any danger you might be about to come across. Say, for example, someone is outside your house and your dog can sense them but is unsure of them, they will start growling to warn you that there’s a potential threat.

Dog Is Disturbed By Sounds That You Can’t Hear!

Dogs have an excellent sense of hearing and can often hear sounds that we can’t and can also hear sounds that we can just about hear incredibly well. You may think your dog is growling at nothing, but they’re actually growling at a sound they don’t like.

Dog Is Disturbed By Odours That You Can’t Smell

Dogs’ senses tend to be stronger than ours and one of these is their sense of smell. How else do you think they are able to smell their food and you can’t? This might make them growl because they are wanting to sniff out the smell but are unable to for whatever reason.

Your Bedtime Or Sleeping Routine Is Disturbing The Dog!

Most dogs sleep downstairs, however, you might allow your dog to sleep upstairs. Alternatively, they might just be able to hear you from downstairs. For example, if you or someone else in your household snores, this might disturb your dog and prevent them from sleeping, which causes growling.

 

How To Stop Your Dog Growling At Night?

Change The Diet

If you have figured out that your dog growling at night is down to something to do with their diet, the best thing you can do is make a change to this diet in some way, such as changing the food you give them, changing the time you feed them, or changing the amount you feed them.

Make The Dog Tired (Exercise/Play)

Dogs need plenty of play and exercise to make them tired. Your dog might be growling because they haven’t let out enough energy that day to enable them to go to sleep, so every day you need to take your dog on a couple of walks and play with them to tire them out.

Create A Better And A Comfortable Sleeping Area

The only way humans are able to get a good night’s sleep is by having a comfortable bed to sleep in. The same applies to dogs. If your dog appears to not like their bed or find it uncomfortable in any way, get them one that is better suited to them and their needs.

Consult A Dog Behaviours To Solve Anxiety Issues

Anxiety is a condition that needs to be treated and a dog behaviourist can help with this. They will be able to teach you desensitising and counterconditioning techniques that can help your dog remain calm during the night (and day, if necessary).

Consult A Vet

Taking your dog to the vet is one of the best things you can do as if this growling has happened suddenly and they find this is a medical issue, they will be able to give them any treatment for it. Make sure to make a note of all symptoms so your vet can give an accurate diagnosis.

Create Better Habits

This will come with time and a lot of training, but if you’re trying to change your dog’s habits, this is something you’re going to have to go through. Eventually you’ll get there and be glad that you put in all that time and effort with your dog.

Never Punish Or Yell At The Dogs When They Growl At Night

You should never encourage your dog not to growl because this is their way of communicating with you. Even though it might be annoying, it’s unfair of you to try and stop it and instead just try to control it.

 

References

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826566/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610618/