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Can you explain my dogs sleeping arrangements?

Q

I have three dogs who all have their own beds in my bedroom. Recently, the eight year old dog has been waking me every night, pawing at me. Nothing will settle her. She will not go back to sleep. I just put her out of the room and then I find her sleeping in the shower. The other dogs are fine. What’s going on?

A

Dogs have acutely sensitive hearing, and the most likely cause is that she has heard something that disturbed her e.g. early morning milk deliveries, cars passing, people walking by, or whatever. Then once she has woken up once or twice, this night time waking can become a habit, not necessarily for any reason. Talk to your vet about temporary use of night time sedation to get her out of the habit.

If you are worried about your pet's health, visit the Petfix DIY Triage Checker or talk to your vet as soon as possible.