Why Does My Bulldog Go Crazy At Night

You love your Bulldog to bits. He is your constant companion and your best friend. He cheers you up when you are sad and he shares your joy. He is the most excited creature to see you when you get home from work and he is your exercise buddy in the morning. Is it too much to ask him to shut up at night and give you a good night’s sleep? Have you been trying to figure out how to keep your dog silent at night? Has he been bothering the neighbors and have the neighbors been acting unfriendly toward you because of his behavior?

If you have been doing everything humanly possible to calm your dog down at night, you are not alone. Many dog owners join in your sorrow. What is the cause of such behavior? Boredom is one reason. Just like a human left alone for too long, dogs get bored too. If a dog is bored, they tend to vocalize more often. Fear or alarm is another reason for your Bulldog going crazy at night. Humans get scared of things that go bump in the night, the same can be said of dogs. They also have nighttime anxiety and if they are fearful, they may bark at any noise that startles them. They might also bark to warn you of something that you should be aware of. Bulldogs seek attention and when you don’t give it to them, they are going to find a way. 

You need to know the difference between loneliness and attention seeking. Many dogs bark for attention if they want something from you. When this happens, you should ignore your dog and not give him the time of day to put a stop to the behavior. If your dog spends all day confined inside the house, you can be sure that he has a lot of energy to burn and when there is no outlet for that energy, he can (and will) go crazy at night. You can be sure he will do various antics that will keep you awake. Moving into a new house or having other people at home can be something overwhelming for your dogs as well. New sounds, new scents, and new sights can cause major problems in their routine. When your dog is scared and cannot relax, he will surely keep you up at night too. He may also struggle to sleep because of thunder or other noises which scare him. 

You certainly would not want your dog to continue going crazy at night. You need your rest if you are to function properly at work the next day. Because boredom is one of the main reasons for your Bulldog going crazy at night, it is important that you give him toys which will keep him entertained. There are numerous interactive toys made especially for dogs today so do your research before you spend your money. Bulldogs that have pent up energy tend to be noisy and restless at night, so you must spend at least 30 minutes each day to take him out for a run or a walk. A long run before bedtime will be good for the both of you. 

You can also invest in sleeping aids such as soothing music and diffusers, as well as calming herbs made for dogs. However, make sure that you consult your veterinarian first before you do. Supplements may help relieve your dog of anxiety without having to resort to drugs but get clearance from the vet first. Desensitizing your dog to the stimulus keeping him up at night is another solution. Start with the stimulus at a distance and try moving the stimulus closer and give him treats if he remains calm. The goal here is to get your dog to learn that the appearance of the stimulus leads to something great, such as treats!

Walking your dog outside for about 30 minutes before you go to work and upon your return, along with giving him mentally stimulating toys will help. But if you are busy during daytime and are unable to take your dog out for a walk, consider getting the services of a dog walker or a pet sitter to tire him out and give him companionship while you are away. Another option is doggy daycare. Your Bulldog might also be up all night because of some nocturnal critter that is keeping him all hyped up. In order to avoid this, you should have a pest inspector check your home in case there are critters. 

Dealing with a Bulldog that refuses to stop going crazy at night is frustrating for everyone. It is important to figure out the behavioral problem that is causing his restlessness so that you can have peace and save your sanity. With patience and effort, you will be able to calm your dog and you will be able to sleep like a log.