Dogs Have Unique Ways of Waking Up Their Sleeping Owners
It’s estimated that over 40 million households in the US own a dog, with many allowing their furry friends to sleep in bed with them (source). While the comfort of having your dog close by at night can be reassuring, research shows that pet owners tend to have more disrupted sleep compared to non-pet owners. Dogs, being naturally alert animals, will often wake up their owners in the middle of the night in peculiar ways. Understanding the methods dogs use and their motivation for waking can help owners get a better night’s rest.
Reasons Dogs Wake Up Owners
There are a few main reasons why dogs will wake up their sleeping owners:
Dogs need to go outside to relieve themselves. One of the most common reasons dogs wake up their owners is because they need to go potty. Dogs can’t last all night without going to the bathroom, so they will wake up owners when they need to go out. This is especially true for puppies and older dogs who have smaller bladders.
Dogs get hungry and want to be fed. If your dog is used to being fed first thing in the morning, they will likely wake you up around their usual breakfast time. Dogs can hear food being prepared and will associate this with getting fed. Their internal body clock tells them when it’s time for their next meal.
Dogs get bored and want attention/playtime. An energetic, under-exercised dog may wake up their owner because they are bored and ready to play. Without enough physical and mental stimulation during the day, they may pester owners for attention during the night. Dogs are social animals who enjoy company and activity.
Methods Dogs Use
Dogs have several common techniques they use to wake up sleeping owners. Some of the most popular methods include:
Jumping on the bed – Many dogs will excitedly jump up on the bed and walk across their owner to wake them up. The sudden movement and weight of the dog on the bed is often enough to stir an owner from sleep (1).
Licking the owner’s face – Dogs will often lick an owner’s face, ears, or hands as a way to wake them up. The wet sensation of a dog’s tongue is difficult to sleep through and will usually get an owner’s attention (1).
Barking/whining
While these techniques may seem disruptive, dogs often have valid reasons for waking up their sleeping owners, such as needing to go outside to relieve themselves or wanting food and exercise. With proper training, owners can help direct their dogs to use more polite ways to get their attention when needed.
Timing of Waking
Dogs often wake up their owners in the early morning before the owner’s alarm goes off. According to the AKC, this is because dogs are excited to start the day and want to go for a morning walk with their owner (source). Dogs are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, so they are ready to be up and moving early.
Dogs may also wake owners up in the middle of the night if they need to go outside to relieve themselves. According to WagWalking, puppies and older dogs especially may need to go potty during the night. They will wake the owner and whine or bark to let them know they need to go out (source). This is one of the most common reasons dogs will wake an owner up.
Owner’s Reaction
Owners can have a range of reactions to being woken up by their dogs. Many are initially annoyed at being disturbed from their sleep (Floyd, 2023). The jarring feeling of being awoken abruptly, especially early in the morning, is a common reaction. Some may even express irritation or frustration towards their dog in the moment before fully waking up.
However, most owners quickly move past the initial annoyance to feel happy and excited to interact with their beloved pet. The dog’s enthusiastic and loving nature makes it hard to stay upset. Owners often transition into playful affection and cuddling with the dog in bed. There is a sense of appreciation for the unconditional love and companionship dogs provide.
Despite the annoyance or inconvenience of the early wake up call, most owners feel obliged to take care of their dog’s needs. They will get out of bed to feed their pet, let them outside to relieve themselves, or start the morning walk routine. Responsible owners understand that caring for a dog requires some sacrifice of sleep and comfort (Floyd, 2023). The strong human-animal bond compels them to provide for their furry friend.
Training Tips
There are several methods you can try to train your dog not to wake you up unnecessarily in the morning:
Crate training – Getting your dog used to sleeping in a crate overnight can help with early waking. The confined space can discourage whining or barking. Just be sure the crate is comfortable, and you take them out for a bathroom break first thing when you do get up. Refer to this guide for crate training tips.
Set a feeding schedule – If your dog wakes you because they are hungry, setting a consistent feeding time can help. Make sure you are feeding them enough. Take away food about 2 hours before bedtime and stick to the set schedule.
Provide toys/activities – Give your dog stimulating toys or chews to keep them occupied in the morning if they wake before you. Frozen Kongs or challenging puzzle feeders are good options. This can distract them from barking to get your attention.
Benefits of Being Woken
There are several benefits to being woken up by your dog in the morning or middle of the night. According to research by The Ranch Pet Resort, one of the main benefits is that it provides an early start to your day [1]. When dogs wake their owners, it allows them to get up and begin their morning routines earlier than they may have otherwise. This can set owners up to be more productive and make better use of the day.
Another advantage is that it opens an owner’s eyes to their dog’s needs. If a dog is waking its owner, there is usually an underlying reason – whether it be needing to go outside to relieve themselves, feeling hungry or thirsty, or simply wanting affection and attention. Realizing this allows owners to better provide for their pets.
Lastly, the action of a dog waking its sleeping human companion serves to strengthen the bond between pet and owner. When dogs wake us, it shows they see us as part of their pack and reinforces our roles within their social framework. This can enrich the relationship and rapport between a dog and its human.
Potential Dangers
While being woken up by a dog can be cute or helpful, there are some potential dangers pet owners should be aware of. The sudden awakening by a pet can startle someone and cause them to flail or fall out of bed (Sharing a Bed With Your Pet: Is It a Good Idea?). If the owner is elderly or disabled, they may be at higher risk for injury if surprised awake by their dog.
Another potential downside is the difficulty of falling back asleep after being awoken by the dog (Sleep startle in dogs). The arousal and excitement from the dog can make it challenging for the owner to calm down and return to sleep. Losing sleep repeatedly due to the dog’s waking methods can be detrimental to the owner’s health and wellbeing over time.
When to Be Concerned
While it can be annoying to be awoken early by a canine companion, you should be aware of concerning signs. If the waking is a new behavior for an older or senior dog, it could signify an underlying medical issue requiring veterinary attention. Senior dogs often need to urinate more frequently, so waking in the night is not unusual. However, if your older dog did not used to wake you and now does routinely, a health problem like canine cognitive dysfunction or urinary incontinence may be to blame. Discuss any new nighttime behaviors with your veterinarian to rule out concerning causes (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-wake-me-up/).
Conclusion
In summary, dogs wake up their sleeping owners for a variety of reasons including needing to go outside to relieve themselves, feeling hungry, seeking attention or playtime, responding to noises, or simply out of love for their owner. Dogs utilize different tactics to wake up owners such as nudging, pawing, barking, whining, licking faces, or jumping on the bed.
While being woken up by a dog can be annoying, especially if it’s in the middle of the night, research shows it can have benefits. One study found that people woken up by their dogs feel more positive and energetic, compared to those woken by an alarm clock. So next time your dog wakes you, instead of being frustrated try to remember they are just looking out for you!