Why does our dog do this?

drillerswife

He starts barking right around G's bedtime every.single.night.  Coincidence or is Maddux smarter than we think?  

It's been going on for weeks now, and I assumed it was an attention thing so I made more of a conscious effort to go outside during the day and pet/play with/talk to him.  No matter what, come 7:30-8:00 he's barking his head off at the back door.  He always has food and water so we know it's not that.   

That's another thing--he doesn't eat during the day, he waits until the evening.  At first I figured it was because it was so hot and he always eats less during the summer, but he's still doing it.  He waits until ~8:00, barks, we go out, he barks some more, we ignore it, he eats, barks some more, we go out and feed him, he eats again, barks.   And even with a bowl of food sitting there, he hops around his food tub like he's ready to eat.  Maddux is NOT a barker, this has just started since we had G (can't remember exactly when it started but it's been a while....).  But he's not the kind to bark randomly---he normally only barks at strangers and coyotes.

  

He acts normal when we go outside so I know he's not sick or anything.  So, what's his problem??  I realize this isn't a huge issue, just annoying, but I also feel bad because I figure there has to be a reason for his odd behavior.  I just don't know what it is....

SunnyDaze31

I don't know why Maddux is acting like that, but one of my dogs sometimes "sings" (a combination bark and howl) and acts energetic and obnoxious around 7:30-8pm. That's his usual dinner time, which also coincides with it getting dark out, whether he actually wants to eat his kibble or not.

dvbem

He acts normal when you guys go outside?  He probably wants to be with you guys and doesn't know what's going on inside (or what G is doing to you guys since he's outside and can't protect you).  Or (and this is total crazy talk) maybe he's trying to "help" you put G to bed.  idk.

Is Maddox an outside dog?

We have an inside dog, but she acts crazy after DDs going to bed...way more energetic and playful than when they're awake.  I think she knows she can finally get some undivided attention (if we're not too exhausted to give it to her), and she doesn't have to worry about accidentally hurting a kid.

drillerswife

dvbem:

He acts normal when you guys go outside?  He probably wants to be with you guys and doesn't know what's going on inside (or what G is doing to you guys since he's outside and can't protect you).  Or (and this is total crazy talk) maybe he's trying to "help" you put G to bed.  idk.

Is Maddox an outside dog?

I think the bolded part is probably what's going on.  It's the only thing that really makes sense....he acts totally normal when we go outside--hopping around (more like galloping since he's a 130 lb labrador retriever Lol), running over to greet us, lays down to get his belly rubbed, etc.  

I know dogs can sense things, but it's just crazy that he apparently "knows" when G's bedtime is, even when I change it up.  Last night I kept G up about 30-40 minutes later than usual so he'd be awake when DH got home.  I put G in his crib, walked out and had barely made it into the kitchen when Maddux started barking.  Crazy.  

He is an outside dog, but we normally let him in when it's too hot/too cold, and if DH is working OOT I have him inside with me.  But the majority of the time he's outside.