What to Do If Your Dog Is Afraid of the Dark
Some of our furry friends have some irrational fears. Not my dog, however. She is extremely brave. Much, much braver than I’ll ever be. (She’s making me write this – she’s terrified of thunder. Please don’t tell her that I’m sharing this information.)
Anyway, a few pup parents have reported that their canine companions are afraid of the dark. Now, this is a tricky circumstance because even if you invest in a night light, your dog will eventually have to face the dark. After all, the night is prime potty time hours.
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So, how exactly should you handle a situation where your dog can’t stand being in the dark?
While speaking to The Mirror in February 2022, Animal Behaviorist Ryan Neile stated that pup parents should figure out the root of their dog’s issues. For instance, our furry friends may be nervous about the dark because of separation anxiety or situations that only occur during the night, like fireworks shows.
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In addition, Neile stated that dog owners should contact a behaviorist or your dog’s vet to determine the best course of action to help your furry friend. You may be instructed to give your canine companion plenty of praise and pets when they go outside at night.
"It is extremely important that the root cause of the problem is identified by an expert, and followed up with the right help, advice and reward-based training," said Neile.
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In an advice column for The Washingtonian, Dr. Chris Miller of AtlasVet DC, also warns that if your dog suddenly becomes afraid of the dark, it could be indicative that they have a health issue. He stated that “a consultation with your veterinarian is always a good place to start to rule out possible medical causes.”
“In this case, poor vision could easily explain why the dog is more fearful at night,” continued Dr. Miller. “One of the first symptoms noted in patients that are having trouble seeing is strange behavior at night. A quick look with an ophthalmoscope and neurologic exam can help make sure that poor eyesight isn’t contributing to the dog’s night fears.”