Why Does My Dog Get Hyper Before Bed?
Your dog could be getting hyper before bed as a result of several factors, including:
- Lack of physical activity
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Diet
- Age
- Positive Reinforcement
- Canine anxiety
- Sleep issues
For your dog, getting hyper before bed might be due to physical reasons, while others could be emotional, or stress-related. Your dog might be hyper before bed due to a serious medical condition or just a simple change in routine.
Related Reading: Reasons Your Dog Is Anxious At Night
7 Reasons Your Dog Gets Hyper Before Bed
1. Not enough physical activity
Lack of appropriate and/or sufficient exercise is a big reason for dogs to get hyper before bed. That pent-up energy is the culprit to their restlessness. This is especially common in energetic and active breeds. Puppies are likely to get the zoomies if they haven’t been involved in enough physical activities throughout the day.
2. Lack of mental stimulation
Sometimes, dogs get hyper before bed because they are not getting sufficient mental stimulation. If your fur buddy’s brain has not been engaged throughout the day (especially if they have been left alone as you were at work), this may keep them wide awake, even at nighttime.
3. Diet
The time of day you feed your dog and the quality of the diet they consume can also make them hyper before bed. Eating too close to bedtime may give a sudden burst of energy to your dog. This might make them hyperactive before bed.
4. Age
Dogs experience major changes to their overall health as they age. They see a decline in their vision and hearing which affects their regular sleep patterns. You can’t do much for your elderly dog except to love them and make sure their sleeping environment is as comfortable as possible.
5. You have been encouraging it
Your dog might become hyper at night for no reason other than to bring out a positive response. It might be the case that you have been unconsciously reinforcing the behavior by giving your dog things that it wants when it gets hyper before bed.
Without realizing it, we sometimes reward and encourage annoying behavior. This would be more likely if you tend to give toys or treats as a soothing mechanism when your dog gets hyper.
6. Canine anxiety
An anxious dog may become hyper before bed. A dog suffering from separation anxiety is likely to become hyper in certain situations. The anxiety and nervousness usually amplify at night when dogs are left to sleep by themselves. One of the easiest ways to calm down a hyper dog at night is to make it comfortable and, if you are okay with it, to allow them to sleep in the same room in which you sleep.
7. Problems in the sleeping environment
Your dog might be hyper before bed because there is a problem with its sleeping environment. It could be that the place is not comfortable enough for your dog to truly relax. It is either too hot, too cold, too bright, or too noisy. There might be lots of distractions in their sleeping environment preventing them from feeling sleepy.
How To Calm Down My Dog At Night?
Here are a few useful tips you can turn to when you’re looking to calm down a hyper dog.
Make them a cozy sleep place
For us humans, our beds are an important part of our lives. We love our sleeping routines and specifically our warm comfy beds. The same goes for our dogs. Dogs prefer to sleep in a spot where they feel most relaxed, comfortable, and safe.
Try to make your dog’s sleeping experience more comfortable by providing them with a comfy bed and a warm blanket to snuggle. A large variety of dog beds available on the market gives your anxious furry pal the option to relax.
Toys are just as significant to a dog as their beds and blankets. Bedtime dog toys keep them distracted and soothe the nerves of a hyper dog.
Also, pay attention to the area or room your dog sleeps in. Dogs prefer rooms that have a moderate temperature and are dark and noise-free.
Give them a delicious treat
One of the widely used methods of calming a dog before bed is to give it a treat. This technique works because your dog usually gets distracted from all nighttime disturbances and sounds. Regardless of the reason, this is a great tool to calm your dog down.
Tire out your dog
You must ensure that your dog gets daily physical and mental stimulation. Your dog needs to get sufficient exercise, play with interactive toys, and learn new tricks. You can take your dog on daily walks around the block or involve them in some other type of physical activity.
Feed them appropriately
Make sure your dog food has high-quality and natural ingredients. Try to feed your dog at least three hours before bedtime and take them outside to relieve themselves right before bed.
Give them cuddles and massages before bedtime
Dogs showing hyper behavior and nighttime anxiety do well if you give them gentle massages and rubs. This nightly routine will soothe your dog’s anxious nerves. The result will be a much happier and more relaxed pooch.
Consider crate training
Crate training can help calm an anxious dog. Confining your dog to a crate for sleep is a great way to have a rewarding life with your furry companion.
It reduces anxiety and prevents hyper behaviour before bed. Your furry pal can enjoy the safety and security of a den of its own, to which it can retreat when scared or stressed throughout the day as well.
Provide mental stimulation
Try to incorporate some regular mental stimulation into your dog’s daily routine. Engage them by playing games or exploring new places. This way, your furry companion is more likely to be satisfied when it comes to sleep time.
There are many indoor and outdoor activities that you can play with your dogs to tire out their brain. These games and activities will also help with dog training.
Consider natural calming remedies
Different natural oils, tinctures, and other natural remedies are a great way to give your dog a good night’s rest. Always speak to your vet before starting any new routine, to ensure it is appropriate and safe for your specific dog.
Another great way to relax a hyper dog’s nerves is aromatherapy. The use of flower and herbal essences and other natural oils can help calm them before bedtime.
Always follow a fixed bedtime routine
A big mistake made by many dog parents is not following a fixed bedtime routine. Don’t forget to space out their dinner from bedtime by at least 3 hours, and then follow an easy but strict routine like going for a nighttime walk, having a nice massage, and/or a nice snuggle. All of these can reduce anxiety and keep your dog from getting hyper at night.
A fixed bedtime routine is important for pups and senior dogs alike. If your dog has adjusted to their old routine and is doing well, try not to change it unless necessary.
Get your dog checked by a vet
If you have tried everything to calm your hyper dog at night and nothing seems to work, then it is best to speak to your local vet. They can often point out things that you, as a dog parent, aren’t able to see. There could be a variety of things that could work like medication, therapy, socialization, training, etc.
Why Do Dogs Get Zoomies Before Bed?
Zoomies are when your dog shows intense and random activity for a short burst of time. Your dog might run in circles, bark, or run back and forth starting and stopping on a dime. Zoomies are a way for your dog to get rid of excess energy.
Zoomies quite often happen at night, especially with dogs who have not been given enough opportunities to exercise during the daytime.
Continue Reading: Why Does My Dog Get Excited When I Pet Him? [ANSWERED]
Final Words
Keep in mind that there is likely a simple reason why your dog is so hyper before bed (like not enough exercise during the day). However, if you have tried everything there could be a medical problem that makes your dog hyper before bed. You can check with your vet to be sure whether or not this is the case.
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.