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Aggressive at Night in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 06/27/2017Updated: 05/20/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Aggressive at Night?
Aggression can be unnerving for any dog owner, regardless of the time of day. Barking, lunging, growling, and biting can become intense and scary if your dog becomes nervous. But if your dog becomes more aggressive when the sun goes down, it may be a sign that something may be wrong. Even peaceful and loving dogs can have issues that can cause nighttime aggression, even towards family that they are very familiar with. Keeping a record of the incidences of aggression, along with any activities or triggers that may have caused them, can help both you and your veterinarian determine why this might be happening. Reasons can include:
- Anxiety
- Protection aggression
- Serotonin
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Medication
Why Aggressive at Night Occurs in Dogs
Your dog may be exhibiting aggression at night due to various conditions.
Anxiety
Anxiety can come in many forms. Fears and phobias can result from a traumatic event or situation that your dog remembers and may associate with nighttime, darkness, or even with something that occurs in your particular household in the evening. If your dog shows signs of anxious and nervous behavior at night, he may be afraid of something, and may lash out aggressively to unknowing family members.
Protection Aggression
Protection aggression is a territorial behavior, and is often shown towards people or animals that are viewed as a threat to the property. It may be that your dog is more nervous at night, or that due to the quiet, he hears perceived threats more easily. Your dog may be on alert for predators, a real fear in the wild, or may be trying to do his duty and protect his family.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate emotions and the sleep cycle. If serotonin levels are abnormal, it can disrupt and even reverse the sleep-wake cycle, causing your dog to more awake and alert during the night. If you’ve noticed your dog sleeping more during the day, and completely awake at night, this may be what’s going on. Certain medications have been implicated in causing an excess of serotonin, which can result in aggressive behaviors, vocalization, muscle twitching, and even seizures.
Vision Loss
Dogs can experience a decrease in eyesight that can lead to blindness due to age, hereditary disorders, infections, or glaucoma. If your dog is having trouble seeing, he may become more anxious at night when it is already harder to see. Signs this may be an issue for your dog can include confusion in new or changed environments, clumsiness, disorientation, and bumping into objects. He may also have certain telltale signs that are visible in his eyes, such as squinting, tearing, reddened eyes, a weak blink response, and light avoidance.
Hearing Loss
Your canine companion can also experience partial or total hearing loss than can be temporary or permanent. This can also occur from age, or from an infection, waxy build-up, inflammation, tumor, or obstruction by a foreign object. A clear sign that your dog is experiencing a loss of hearing is a lack of response to his name, commands, clapping, or other noises. He may not even hear you enter the room, which can cause anxiousness or aggression if startled.
Cognitive Dysfunction
As dogs age, they can develop dementia or cognitive dysfunction. This can affect everything from when your dog sleeps, to recognizing people or his environment. His sleep cycles may become disrupted, he may become lost in the house, and he may become increasingly nervous or on alert. Aggression during these periods is a signal that your dog is confused and possibly scared. Signs your dog may be experiencing cognitive dysfunction can also include an increase in vocalization, aimless wandering, staring at a wall or an object for a length of time, disorientation, and changes in appetite and social interactions.
Medication
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause aggression, serotonin syndrome, or even seizures in dogs. Most of these medications are generally prescribed for behavioral issues, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and MAOIs. Other drugs include certain appetite stimulants, amphetamines, opioid painkillers, antivirals, cough suppressants, and drugs prescribed for Parkinson’s disease.
What to do if your Dog is Aggressive at Night
The best thing to do if your dog becomes more aggressive at night is to note any and all stimulus around him that may be causing or triggering the behavior. Alert your veterinarian to these observations, as well as to any other signs you might have seen in your dog. Accurately describe his eating and sleeping patterns, and any history of medications that he has been prescribed or may have accidentally ingested.
Your veterinarian will want to determine if there is a physical reason behind the behavior. A physical exam will be performed, complete with hearing, vision, and neurological testing. This can reveal any sight, hearing, or cognitive issues. Bloodwork, a urinalysis, and a fecal test may be helpful in determining any infections, as well give a picture of your dog’s overall health. They can also point to a possible case of serotonin syndrome. X-rays may help to locate an obstruction or tumor. If there is not a physical reason found, then your veterinarian will look at anxiety or aggression as behaviors to be treated.
Medical issues will be treated accordingly. Drug and dietary therapy may help to ease the signs of cognitive dysfunction. Any obstructions, wax build-ups, or tumors in the ear canal might be surgically removed to treat hearing loss that is not permanent. Infections can often be treated with antibiotics. Serotonin syndrome can be treated by supplementing dietary tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin production. An overdose or negative reaction to medications that may be the cause can be treated if caught early enough. Activated charcoal can help to prevent absorption in the digestive system, and vomiting may be induced. Fluid therapy and drugs may be prescribed to control the resulting signs of an overdose.
You may need to engage in behavioral training techniques to manage anxiety, aggression, and a change in sleep cycles in your dog. Increasing joyful activities, such as walks and playtimes, can give him the exercise he needs to be able to rest at night. Creating a nighttime routine can help to train your dog to recognize when it is time to relax. Older pets may need orthopedic beds or a more protected sleeping spot to minimize discomfort and the element of surprise by an unwitting family member. For those dogs with cognitive dysfunction, hearing or vision loss, be sure your dog knows you are there with a soft pat or by calling his name. Anxious and aggressive dogs can benefit from desensitizing and counterconditioning techniques to retrain them to be calm during the night.
Prevention of Aggressive at Night
Prevent anxious and aggressive behavior through socialization and positive training in your dog’s early years. It may not always be possible to predict a fear, but knowing your dog’s trigger can help you to prevent it from occurring, remove your dog from the situation, or retrain him.
Regular check-ups can reveal the presence of many types of conditions, including eye and hearing loss, infections, and imbalances in the body that can lead to conditions such as serotonin syndrome. Feeding a healthy, appropriate diet can ensure that your dog is receiving all the nutrients he needs to maintain a healthy body.
Cost of Aggressive at Night
Treatments for nighttime aggression can vary considerably, and will depend on the reason your dog is exhibiting this behavior. Overall, costs can range from $200 to $3500. While hearing loss and glaucoma can average $350 to $900 respectively, a more complicated issue such as serotonin syndrome can cost around $2400. Aggression can be a difficult condition to treat, and can average $575.
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Aggressive at Night Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Rat Terrier
Two Years
28 found this helpful
28 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Aggression
Oliver is a rat terrier/russell type terrier. he was rescued/adopted at 3 months old and was quickly introduced to my other 3 dogs. When he is sleeping, he gets aggressive, snarls and bites the other dogs when they go anywhere near him. He now has started attacking them when he hears them licking themselves or each other near him while he's sleeping. Concerned its going to get worse, the other dogs are all 20lbs or less, Oliver is 35lbs.
Jan. 26, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
28 Recommendations
Hello, you are through to Dr Linda.
I'm very sorry to hear about this issue.
Many dogs dislike being disturbed when asleep as they feel vulnerable.
I would strongly recommend having him sleep somewhere safe he cannot be disturbed such as a crate.
Ensure all dogs have their own safe space as well as their own resources (bed, bowls, toys etc). If they need to share resources, this can lead to conflict.
I would also advise a plug in pheromone diffuser such as Adaptil and I would get him started on some calming supplements.
He should be checked over by a vet in case of an underlying health issue causing him to be defensive e.g. sore joints or dental disease.
If his health check is ok but the issue persists, a behaviourist would be the next option to pursue.
Feb. 15, 2021
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border collie mix
Three Months
27 found this helpful
27 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog is very relaxed and mostly sleepy during the day. Very sweet for the most part. Around 8 pm he starts getting very hyper and aggressive. I don’t know if he has a ton of energy and thinks he’s playing, but it’s out of character from about 8-10. He bites and lunges and growls at us. He’s 12 weeks old, on no medications, up to date on vaccinations.
Dec. 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
27 Recommendations
Hi there.
This is known as The Witching Hour. Many puppies get the 'zoomies' and become hyper. It is a phase at this age and will pass.
Try hard to provide lots of physical and mental stimulation during the day to time your little one out.
When being nippy, it is best to re-direct to a tug toy or similar.
Dec. 23, 2020
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Pit Bull
Ten Months
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
Tank is very aggressive at night and loud. He exercises all day and stays at home with my parents. When I get home later at night from work he always goes crazy. He will have been calm the whole time. I take him for walks and tire him out right when I get home and its still not enough.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
He sounds excited to see you, and probably sleeps all day. If your parents can keep him up during the day, he may sleep better at night. That is fairly normal for a 10 month old dog, and taking him to training classes might help.
Oct. 8, 2020
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Peekapoo
Eleven Years
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Aggression
My 11 year old peekapoo suddenly becomes very aggressive at night when our other 13 year old peekapoo walks within 3 feet of her, and it’s only at night when she is settling down to sleep or already asleep. She launches a full on attack and I have to separate them to stop it. She has never been aggressive throughout her entire life.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
She may be having some vision or hearing problems, and It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Labradoodle
Five Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Aggressive At Night Towards 3 Yr Old Son
My male labradoodle, max is 5 years. We have two boys and max is really good with them plays w my 3 yr old (the oldest of the 2). The last week or so at night he keeps following my 3 yr old and trying to bite his lower butt/back of his leg. And keeps wanting to go towards him like playing but can’t figure out if he’s playing or getting mad. He got a little nip out of him tonight but we always catch before he really bites him. It’s like every night he gets in a mood and wants to chase him/bite him. It is really shocking and he is so playful but never opens his mouth to the boys when playing.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
It is difficult to say whether he is just confused and playing, or is having a problem with your 3 year old. Because of the possibilities, it would be best to have a trainer work with him, as they can see what might be going on, and if it is a problem, help fix it. If you do not know of a good trainer, your veterinarian can refer you to that person.
Oct. 19, 2020
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american pitbull
Tyson
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Disorientation
Sleep Disurbances
Licking/Biting
About a year ago my dog Tyson started having these incidents in the night where he will suddenly jerk up with quite a startling snarl/bark, Look around as if confused then lay his head back down. At first I thought he was startling up from sleep, but the more I've witnessed this the more I think he's not really awake when he does this. I think he's still sleeping, and then comes to either as he’s jerking/barking/snapping or bc of it. His gaze looks a little unfocused, Or disoriented. Most times he will just go right back go sleep or sometimes the episode jerks him straight up to his feet where he will circle and lay back down or pace around for a bit. Sometimes he will go through night with no episode other times it happens a dozen times during night. Around the same time this began he also began sucking on his dog bed incessantly During the day. He sleeps most nights in the dog bed with my other 10 yr old pit and i initially thought he was snapping at her but after watching as episodes happened most times she wasn’t touching him or moving as though to startle him. He also started sleeping with his head buried either by covering with his paws or under my other dog. He takes regular injections for severe allergies , but has had three major surgeries in his lifetime and lots of medications. Otherwise he’s a happy dog, still has tons of energy and eats normally. Is this familiar symptoms to aging dogs?
Bichon Frise
Bindi
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sleeping And Agression
I have a 12 yr old Bichon Frise whose only known health issues are skin allergies. He has vivid dreams where he growls and once when I woke him in the daytime (because he was growling in his sleep), he was startled and bit me; so now I'm careful. We sleep together and last night I got up for a minute (he was asleep) and when I came back he growled at me. His eyes were open but I really think he was still asleep. Is that possible? We have recently changed our schedule and I'm having trouble getting my 'body clock' reset, so that may be a factor for him too?
