Why won’t my dog go to bed until I do?

If your dog will not go to bed until you do, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.

So, why won’t my dog go to be until I do? Possible reasons why your dog won’t go to bed until you do are that it is hungry or bored, it has separation anxiety, or that it can’t sleep due to the noise or light when you are awake.

There are multiple reasons why it might be doing it and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about them.

Reasons why your dog does not go to sleep until you do

Below are some possible causes and what would make them more likely.

Hunger

The reason why it stays awake could be that it is hoping to get fed. This would be more likely if it normally is only fed in the morning and if it does sleep on evenings when it has been fed already. In this case, it might help to feed it less in the morning but to fed it in the evening as well.

Boredom

Another possible cause is that it is full of energy at night. This would be more likely if it is lively while you are awake and if it goes to sleep when it has gotten exercise. In this case, it would help to ensure that it is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.

Separation anxiety

Another possible cause is that it has separation anxiety. This is where it does not like being left alone and the prospect of being left alone causes it to become anxious. This would be more likely if it is anxious while you are awake at night and if it shows signs of being anxious when you are going to bed.

It can’t sleep due to noise or the light

Another possible cause is that it cannot sleep, while you are awake, because of the noise or light. In this case, it might help to try to dim the lights or to lower the volume.

Encouraging it to stay awake

Another possible cause is that it has learned that staying awake causes it to get rewarded. If you tend to give it things such as toys, treats, or extra attention, when it stays awake, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.

What else happened when it first started

If your dog was able to sleep, while you were awake, in the past, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it. If it stopped sleeping suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in its diet, a change in the room it has to sleep in or a change in when it gets exercise.

What is different when your dog does fall asleep before you

If it does fall asleep sometimes, it would also help to consider what is different when it is able to fall asleep. For example, if it does fall asleep when it does not eat certain food, it could be the case that an issue with its diet is the issue.

What to do about your dog not going to bed until you do

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Give it exercise

If it is healthy, it would help to ensure that it is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed. Doing so, should help to get it to be able to fall asleep more easily in the evenings.

Limit reasons why it might be anxious

It would also help to limit reasons why it might have separation anxiety by doing things such as feeding it, exercising it and letting it pee before leaving it for long.

Ensure it is eating right

It would also help to ensure that it is able to eat the right diet and that it has been eating the right amount of calories. It would also help to ensure that nobody else has been feeding it without you knowing.

Give it a comfortable area or room to sleep

If it does not currently have a spot where it can lie down comfortable, it could help to give it one.