Whining at night is a common problem for dog owners. You know how annoying it is when your pup wakes you up in the middle of the night, especially when their whining seems to have no reason behind it.

In this article, we’ll cover the different possible reasons for your dog’s nighttime whining, and tell you exactly what to do to put a stop to it in each case. So without further ado, let’s get to how to stop a dog from whining at night!

How Do You Get a Dog to Stop Whining at Night?

To get a dog to stop whining at night, ignoring them for 1 to 2 weeks should be enough in most cases. However, if you’ve given ignoring your dog’s whining a legitimate try (and everyone in the house is also ignoring) and the issue continues then your dog’s problem is separation anxiety. While this a more serious issue than bored whining, it’s still fairly easy to address.

In severe cases of separation anxiety, dogs will get stressed and whiny just simply from not being the sole focus of your attention. At nighttime when everyone is going to sleep, their stress elevates because they are not getting love, and the world is dark and scary at the same time.

Your dog’s worry and stress overwhelms them, which is showing itself through whining in this case. They are anxious because they feel it is their job to protect you, and they don’t feel like they can do that if they’re not getting your attention, particularly at night when it is dark and scary.

Remember that dogs are pack animals, and in every pack there is a leader. When your dog whines at night due to separation anxiety, they are basically telling you that they do not view you as a capable pack leader, so they feel that is their responsibility.

You being in another room, or simply the dark and quiet of the night, can worry them about their ability to protect you which causes them to be stressed and whine. You can end your dog’s nighttime worries and separation anxiety in general by proving to them that you are an effective and capable pack leader.

So how do I do that, you ask? Well, I would check out a really excellent free video series on becoming your dog’s pack leader by a renowned dog trainer named Dan. His series will show you how to take control of your family pack in a 100% humane and loving manner — so no worries about being mean!

Get a handle on your dog’s separation anxiety, and you’ll end their stress, nighttime whining, and other related behavioral issues like barking when you’re away, tearing things up in the house, and marking behavior. Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here.

Don’t worry if you don’t have experience in these sorts of things, because Dan’s videos are made for regular people and they get right to the point, so you’ll have no trouble following things and will start seeing results in no time.

Why Does My Dog Get Whiny at Night?

Your dog gets whiny at night because they are bored and looking for attention. Separation anxiety is also a common reason. If your dog whining at night is not a regular occurrence, then they could simply need to go to the bathroom. But most nighttime whining is just due to your dog’s boredom and desire for people to wake up and interact with them.

Do I Ignore My Dog Crying at Night?

You should ignore your dog crying at night because they are seeking attention. If you give in and respond to your dog’s nighttime whining they will begin to take any opportunity to wake you up.

Giving in to them will reinforce the behavior and only make things worse. It will be tough at first, but stay firm and your dog should eventually quit whining at night. Anyone else living in the home also needs to ignore your dog’s whining.

How Long Will a Dog Cry at Night?

Most dogs will cry at night for one to two weeks before giving up on the behavior. This assumes that the whining is related to boredom and that you are not giving in and letting them have the attention they’re after. Just stay firm and your dog should get the message soon enough.

You should now know the possible causes for your dog whining at night, and exactly how you should address each of these causes. Just be consistent, and make sure anyone else in the house is on the same page, and you should have your problem solved in just a few short weeks at most! Good luck with everything!