Wondering why does my dog chew his bed at night, or if it’s a sign of night anxiety in dogs? You’re not alone. Many dog owners face this issue, especially when their pet starts destroying their bed after dark. We’re here to help you understand what’s going on and what you can do about it.

In our guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind your dog chewing his bed at night and the concept of night anxiety in dogs. From figuring out why your dog acts this way after dark to dealing with senior dogs who suffer from anxiety at night, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to stop your dog from chewing their bed and how to help them relax at night!

Why Does My Dog Chew His Bed at Night?

Your dog chews his bed at night due to various reasons such as anxiety, boredom, or the need for comfort. Understanding the cause is essential to address this behavior effectively and ensure a good night’s sleep for both you and your dog.

Dog Chews Bed at Night, What Do I Do?

If your dog chews his bed at night, it’s important to identify the reason behind this behavior. Is it due to anxiety, lack of exercise, or simply because they find it comforting? Observing when and how your dog chews can provide valuable clues.

Dog Destroys Bed at Night

When a dog destroys their bed at night, it often indicates a higher level of anxiety or stress. Consider if there have been any changes in the home environment or routine that could be causing this increased anxiety.

How to Stop My Dog Chewing His Bed at Night

To stop your dog from chewing his bed at night, take the following steps:

1. Provide your dog with plenty of exercise during the day to tire them out.
2. Ensure they have a comfortable and appealing bed they enjoy lying in.
3. Introduce chew toys to redirect their chewing behavior from the bed to the toys.
4. Use commands like ‘leave it’ to train your dog not to chew the bed. Start by holding a treat in your closed hand. When your dog stops trying to get the treat and moves away, say ‘leave it’ and give them the treat. Repeat this process until your dog responds to the command without the treat.

Dealing with a dog that chews his bed at night can be helped using these training and environmental changes, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (curiosity, anxiety, boredom, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog chewing his bed at night and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog tearing up his bed at night ever again!

Night Anxiety in Dogs

Night anxiety in dogs typically manifests as restlessness, whining, pacing, and other stress-related behaviors that specifically occur during the night. These symptoms can stem from various causes, including environmental changes, health issues, or age-related factors.

What Causes Anxiety in Dogs at Night?

Several factors can contribute to nighttime anxiety in dogs. These include environmental changes such as moving to a new home, disruption in the household routine (like visitors coming over), or a lack of adequate exercise during the day.

Health-related issues like vision or hearing loss, pain, or cognitive dysfunction in older dogs can also lead to anxiety. Learn the steps you can take to deal with this issue by going back to the first section now.

Senior Dog Anxiety at Night

Older dogs are particularly prone to nighttime anxiety. Conditions like canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which affects memory, perception, and awareness, can make them anxious and disoriented at night. They might even lash out by barking at or biting your other dogs.

Vision or hearing impairments can also contribute to their anxiety. Recognizing these age-related changes and adapting the dog’s environment and routine can help alleviate their stress.

Symptoms of Nighttime Anxiety in Dogs

The symptoms of nighttime anxiety in dogs can be quite pronounced. Apart from restlessness and pacing, they might exhibit unusual behaviors like hiding, excessive barking or whining, and even destructive behaviors like chewing or digging.

Changes in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty settling down or waking up frequently during the night, are also common indicators of anxiety.

In conclusion, addressing nighttime anxiety in dogs involves understanding the underlying causes and recognizing the symptoms. Creating a secure and comfortable environment, maintaining a consistent daily routine, and ensuring they get enough physical and mental stimulation can significantly help in managing your dog’s anxiety at night.

I’m sure you’re ready to get started now that you have all of your questions about your dog’s nighttime chewing answered, so I’ll let you get going on things. Good luck, and thanks for checking out our article “Why Does My Dog Chew His Bed at Night? (+How to Stop!)”.