Why is my dog suddenly scared of bedtime and anxious when left alone?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 5 years and 11 months old | 28 lbs
Hi, my dog has suddenly become scared of bed times, he doesn’t want to go in the kitchen and when he finally goes in and the lights get turned off he wines, drools and chews and bangs on the baby gate.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 10th, 2017
It sounds like he is experiencing some separation anxiety when left in the kitchen. You could try an Adaptil collar and Solliquin chews and see if that helps. Also, you could give him a Kong stuffed with treats or a puzzle toy to keep him busy for a few minutes after putting him in the kitchen. https://www.adaptil.com/us#redirected http://www.solliquin.com/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on September 4th, 2019
Its unikely that this behavior is due to something he's eating. Is there any construction, or other new loud noises or lots of different people around? This could be contributing the behavior. Make sure he's getting regular exercise such as a daily walk. Exercise is very helpful for dogs who may have some signs of anxiety. You can also try a calming supplement, such as : Ideally, take him to the vet for an exam, to make sure there's no physical reason for the change in behavior. Sometimes a change in behavior is the first sign of illness or injury. Thank you for asking PetCoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My labrador has stopped coming into our sitting room over the past couple of days and stays in the sitting room he wants to be with us but is too scared, what should I do?
I recommend thinking about what changes have happened in the last couple of days. Have you moved any furniture, replaced lightbulbs, or plugged in any new appliances? Some electronics can have sounds that we can't hear, but can trigger anxiety in our pets. There are a couple things you can try for anxiety; Composure chews and Adaptil diffusers. Adaptil is a pheromone that can help with anxiety. It is available as a plug-in room diffuser for large areas, and as a spray for small areas like a mat or bed. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids/vetri-science-laboratories-composure-canine-bite-sized-chews https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids/comfort-zone-diffuser-with-dap-for-dogs Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My almost 2 year norwich terrier has started to go under the bed at night and in middle of the night and just whimper and cry. This is a new behavior, withing the last or 4 months. My husband was deployed and it seems like it really started once he
Although I can't be exactly sure there may be something causing Kenai's anxiety in he middle of the night. Sometimes a noise that occurs (perhaps snoring or something while sleeping in your case) is causing Kenai's anxiety. If there are loud noises outside like thunder, gun shots, cars back firing this could also trigger this response. It may even be a sound imperceptible to you.
My first suggestion is to try an Adaptil collar to see if this lessens some anxiety. This is a pheromone collar that tends to work nicely with mild anxiety. There are supplements like Solliquin that may also be helpful. Even adding a white noise machine may be worthwhile to block out some sound.
It may be helpful to crate train Kenai at least for sleeping. Sometimes have a "settle location" like a crate can help reduce a dog's anxiety.
Finally, if there is no improvement it would be a good idea to have Kenai examined by your veterinarian to ensure there isn't any underlying health problem contributing to
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My 2 yr old dog (German Shepherd-Cattle Dog Mix) has become scared of the dog kennel all of a sudden. She’s never had issues and we have had her for 4 mos. In the middle of the night she’s whining and sometimes barking. We can’t figure out the reason
I'd always want to rule out a medical problem when there has been an abrupt change in behavior. A visit to the vet is in order to help to ensure that there are no underlying issues - changes in vision, neurologic issues, etc - that may be at the bottom of this. If everything is well with your health, ask yourself some questions: could there be any nocturnal animals visiting your property, and would she be able to see them or smell them? Could there be distant thunderstorms that she is hearing (and you're not, because you're sleeping) and the noise is making her anxious? You can try some low impact changes, such as a [Thundershirt ](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/thundershirt-heather-gray-dog-anxiety-solution) or [pheromone diffuser](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/thunderease-calming-diffuser-kit-for-dogs) to help calm anxiety. Your vet can also prescribe medications that will reduce anxiety. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our dog was adopted on Saturday from Petsmart, he is experiencing separation anxiety when we leave him alone, even for only a few minutes. He does not harm himself or our furniture but he cries excessively. Is there anything we can do to help him not
Hi there. Some easy things you can try would include an Adaptil pheromone diffuser along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to help with Magic's anxiety and encourage him to feel safe and relaxed. I would also suggest leaving him with some type of special long-lasting treat whenever you leave the house, such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. This will help to keep him busy, and teach him to associate good things with being by himself. If you don't see significant improvement in the next few days, I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about the problem. Many dogs with separation anxiety will need prescription medication or even referral to a veterinary behaviorist for a more comprehensive treatment plan to address their anxiety.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm moving out of my current living situation. I'm taking my sheltie mix with. We have had a 1 for 1 dog:human ratio. My dog spends quite a bit of time with everyone right but when we move it's going to be just him and me. So he's going to be left al
I recommend crating Ace when you are gone. The crate will provide him a small space where he can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train him to get used to a crate. Start putting him in it when you are home and sitting nearby so he doesn't think you are abandoning him, and slowly increase the time he is in it. He can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that with a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with his skin. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How do I keep a dog from whining in his kennel? I have a rescue I got a little over a week ago. At 4am when I go down to the gym he will start freaking out which wakes my kids. My gym is in the basement which he is scared of stairs. So letting him ou
I would recommend giving him something to keep him busy. Kong toys with peanut butter frozen inside can keep dogs quite busy for a while. I would try this. You can also try the Adaptil products, which are pheromone products designed to help calm dogs down. Make sure he has plenty of toys and treats in his kennel to keep him busy. You can even turn the radio on or tv on for him while you are downstairs for noise and see if that helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I rescued my dog about three months ago. I am a teacher and had to crate him while I am working. I was home for two weeks for winter break. I just went back to work this week. My dog has all of sudden showed signs of separation anxiety. I come home t
Yes, it could be separation anxiety, and I would recommend crating Bentley again if you haven't already Don't make a big deal of you leaving or returning home, simply calmly say goodbye and hello. He can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can also fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety. Hopefully over time with your schedule, he will become adjusted again.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Tucker is crate trained but he barks non stop when we leave the house, he can’t have anything in it or he eats it. Today we locked him in the bedroom thinking that might help but he ate the wall. I can’t handle it I feel terrible for saying it, I lov
It sounds like Tucker is experiencing some separation anxiety when you leave the house. It's good that he's crate trained, and I would try some puzzle toys in there wit him. Puzzle toys have treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out, and that will occupy his attention. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that will a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with his skin. I also recommend having him seen by a vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications. It sounds like his separation anxiety is severe, and medication may be helpful for him. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Recently my dog has started hiding under the bed when he suspects I'm about to leave. He's gotten wise to all my tricks (bribes, pretending to go out the door, etc.) and it's becoming a huge problem. Once he's in his crate (or even on the leash), he'
Poor Rielly. I would try a calming chew like composure or the prescription version, composure pro. You can also put a calming collar on him like adaptil. These may help to curb the anxiety of your leaving in the morning. If this doesn't help, I would talk to your vet about start him on an anti-anxiety medicine to help keep him. This won't change his personality. It should just help him not be so worried about your leaving. If all else fails, when you take him outside in the morning, I would try to lock him out of your room or put a baby gate up at your door to prevent him from being able to get in there. This is a tough love approach but may work. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm taking home a dog that was part of a bonded pair, are there any behavioural issues I should expect or ways to help him settle in? He's definitely the more confident of the two, but is still very close with his sister and gets a little bit worried
If he was part of a bonded pair then he definitely may experience some anxiety with being separated. He may have a decreased appetite or you may notice some behavioral issues. You could try an Adaptil collar or Solliquin and see if that helps him. Good luck. I hope he gets used to his new environment quickly. http://www.solliquin.com/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
