If your dog will not settle down, in the evenings, 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 each of them.
So, why won’t my dog settle down in the evening? Possible reasons why your dog won’t settle down, in the evenings, are being hungry, bored, eating things it shouldn’t be, it has separation anxiety, it has learned that the behavior is encouraged, or it is being fearful.
There are actually a number of possible causes and your dog could be doing it due to a combination of them. 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 it.
Reasons why your dog won’t settle down in the evening
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Hunger
The cause might be that it is hungry. This would be more likely if it only eats in the mornings and if it does settle down on evenings when it is able to eat in the evening. In this case, it could help to try feeding it less, in the morning, but to feed it a bit in the evenings as well.
Boredom
Another possible cause is that it is bored and it wants exercise. This would be more likely if it does calm down on evenings when it has been able to get exercise. In this case, it would help to ensure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
An issue with its diet
Another possible cause is that it has been eating things, in the evenings, that it should not be. This would be more likely if it has started behaving that way since a change in its diet or if it only does it when it eats certain food. It would help to ensure that it has been getting the right diet and that it has been eating the correct amount.
Fearfulness
Another possible cause is that something has been causing it to be fearful, in the evening, this would be more likely if it only won’t calm down on evenings such as when there is thunder and lightning. It would help to consider if something might have been causing it to be fearful and to try to limit its exposure to that thing.
Separation anxiety
Another possible cause is that it has separation anxiety. This would be more likely if it does not calm down when it cannot be with you. It would also be more likely if it becomes anxious. when you are leaving it, by doing things such as shaking or crying.
Encouraging the behavior
Another possible cause is that it has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. If you often give it things such as toys, treats, or extra attention, when it does not calm down, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main cause.
If it has always behaved that way
If your dog did used to calm down in the evenings, it would help to consider what else happened when it stopped doing it. If it stopped doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in its diet, getting less exercise or learning that the behavior is rewarded.
What is different when your dog does settle down
It would also help to consider what is different on evenings when it does settle down. For example, if it does settle down when it has been able to get exercise, it might be the case that it does not settle down when it has not been able to get enough exercise.
What to do about your dog not settling down in the evening
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Ensure it is getting the right amount of exercise
As mentioned above, it might be the case that it has been doing it due to not getting enough 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.
Ensure it is getting the right diet
As mentioned above, it might also be the case that it has been eating things it should not be. It would help to make sure that it is able to eat the correct food in the correct amount.
Avoid encouraging it
It would also help to avoid rewarding it when it does not calm down and to try to reward it when it does calm down instead.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It would also help to limit possible reasons why your dog might be anxious. Things to do could include feeding it, exercising it, and letting it pee before leaving it for a long time.
Get help
If your dog has been very anxious in the evening or it has been behaving abnormally, it would help to get the advice of a vet. By doing so, you will be able to get expert advice tailored towards your specific dog and to rule out the possibility of it being due to more serious issues.