If your german shepherd is panting at night then you may be worrying that there’ something wrong with them. While the chances are there’s not, you can’t rule it out straight away. And if you are worried, then the best thing you can do is take them to the vets.
With that being said here are some of the most common reasons a german shepherd may be panting at night, as well as the best ways to get them to stop.
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know.
Why Is Your German Shepherd Panting At Night
If your german shepherd is panting at night, then finding out why is vital to figuring out how to stop it.
Here are all the different reasons that your german shepherd might be panting at night.
They’re Too Hot
One of the main ways your german shepherd will cool themselves down when they’re too hot is by panting.
If you notice that they’re always panting at night, then check the temperature of your house. Remember, even if you think it’s a little bit cold, your pup has a thick double coat that could be making them too hot.
Of course, this is much more likely to happen in the summer months, but it can happen all year round.
Some other times this might happen is if you’ve just let them go for a run, or they’re sat near something that’s hot.
One of my dogs used to sleep right next to the fire, and no matter how hot it got she wouldn’t move until I moved her.
Another common cause of panting is when your pup is stressed. However, finding out why they’re stressed can be difficult. If your dog is stressed then it could be caused by a change in their environment (such as a new house, owner, pet, or sleeping place). And normally it’s something they aren’t happy with.
And the most important thing to remember about dog stress is that it may not make sense to you. Something that seems perfectly normal and not out of the ordinary to you, could be stressing your german shepherd out.
(When your german shepherd is stressed you may also notice them howling and whining too.)
Allergies
They could be panting because they’ve had an allergic reaction to something. It could either be something they’ve ingested or something that’s in their environment. If the panting has started, then think about anything you’ve given your german shepherd during the day or anything you’ve used around them which could be causing them to pant.
If your german shepherd is getting on in years, then they could be beginning to go senile. My dog reached a ripe old age of 16, and near the end, she went a bit senile.
One of the first symptoms we noticed was that she was panting more. About a year later she also started barking throughout the night as well. She’d never done this before, and her mind had simply deteriorated.
So as well as panting you may begin to notice other behavior as well, such as disorientation, sleeping more or less, pacing, as well as other vocalizations as well.
If you think that your german shepherd is beginning to go senile then you should take them to the vets to see what should be done next.
Separation Anxiety
If you can hear your german shepherd panting in another room when you’re not there then it could be due to separation anxiety. You may also notice them pacing, chewing on things and whining as well.
They’re In Pain
Your german shepherd could also be in pain. This could be due to disease, illness or injury. If you notice panting has started for no reason then you should give them a once over to look for any signs of injury. And pay attention to them when they’re on a walk as well.
If you think that they’re in pain, it’s always best to take them to the vets to get them checked up. After all, if you catch a lot of things early enough then they’re often treatable.
And if you think their panting is being caused by pain then you should look for other signs as well. (One extremely common cause of pain in german shepherds is elbow dysplasia.)
They Might Be Dreaming
And lastly, your german shepherd may just be dreaming. If you look over and their fast asleep when they’re panting then they may be having a particularly vivid dream. If the panting stops when they wake up or shortly after they wake up, then it’s probably nothing to worry about.
What To Do When Your German Shepherd Is Panting At Night?
If your german shepherd is panting at night, then there are a lot of things you can do to help stop them. Here are a few of the main things you should try.
Take Them To The Vets
One of the first things you should do when your german shepherd is panting at night is to take them to the vets. They’ll be able to tell you definitively what’s wrong with them, as well as any treatment that they may need.
Make Sure They Feel Safe
You should make sure that the area they sleep in feels safe and stress-free. Sometimes it can be a good idea to give them a crate to sleep in (although you should leave the door open).
Putting a blanket or thin sheet over the crate can help them feel like they’re more protected and could lower their stress.
Lastly, fill the crate or the area you want to make them feel safe in with their favorite toys and give them treats while they’re in there. This way they’ll associate it with positive experiences.
Make Sure They’re Comfortable
You should also make sure that the bed you’ve bought your dog is nice and comfortable. Especially when they’re getting on in years. When dogs get older they often suffer from random pains much like people. So you should think about getting a bed which helps to ease their discomfort. The Brindle Memory Foam Dog Bed is a great choice!
Give Them Plenty Of Exercise
If you’re giving your german shepherd enough exercise during the day, then it’s a lot more likely they’ll sleep through the night. This is great for german shepherds who get anxious or stressed because they’ll simply be too tired to worry.
It’s not just about tiring out their body either, make sure you tire out their mind by playing with them and challenging them.
If your german shepherd is anxious or stressed then CBD oil can be a great way to help keep them calm. Especially if you don’t want to use stronger medication. When my dog started to go senile, we used to give her CBD oil to calm her down as well, and it worked fantastically.
Just remember if you are going to give your german shepherd CBD oil make sure you consult your vet first to make sure it’s the best option for them.
If They’re Going Senile…
If your german shepherd is going senile, there are a few things you can do to help keep their mind together. First of all, you should make sure you’re keeping their mind active. You can do this by taking them on walks, playing with them, brushing them, and spending time with them.
As well as this, feed them high-quality food and if you’re using supplements ensure they’re high-quality supplements.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
Now you should have a better understanding of why your german shepherd is panting at night. As you can see there are a lot of reasons that can be causing it, but also a lot of solutions.
If your german shepherd is panting at night and it’s not because it’s too hot, then the best thing you can do is take them to the vets and see if they can help. Otherwise, try improving their quality of life and reducing anxiety!
If you enjoyed this article make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise have a great day!
