I have a 1 year old Springer Spaniel that I adopted. He is a great dog, except for at night. Just shortly after dinner time he begins to go crazy. By this I mean that he can't sit still. He is constantly pacing and wanting to go outside, probably to "hunt" the rabbits. It is so bad that if I ignore his requests he will actually try to paw me and/or bark at me. Once I let him out he is literally back in the house within just a few minutes and then repeating the situation within minutes as well. I basically should sit by the door because I'm constantly up and down until the minute he goes in the crate at night (which is the only guaranteed time he is quiet). I have tried to tire him out during the day, but even this doesn't work. I have literally played with him all day, including several walks (one just after dinner), and yet he still continues the behavior. What can I do, if anything, to change this behavior? Thanks.

Do you live in a rural area? How long have you had him? And is he neutered? You mention that he is only quiet when he is in the crate, are you crating at night?

I remember our dogs would get a little antsy in the summer months, especially around the 1 and 2 year mark. We lived in a rural area and there were always lots of critters out side to hunt. Do you have a fenced yard or is he tied? Have you ever gone outside with him to see what he does?

My GSD is very "antsy" at night lately. We go through this in the early Summer every year. I have no idea what causes it but after a week or two she calms right down.

Could be outside sounds, she wants to be out there, anything - but it happens every year.

If your dog goes to a certain area each time, then more then likely there is something out there. Have you followed your dog out there?

Is this a new behavior? Or is it something that just popped up?

My boyfriends parents old dog was always wide eyed and awake all night. She had free access in and out via doggy door, but it was a rare night when she slept through the night. Never really figured out why.

But your situation I think is a bit different. I think your dog sees something outside and sees it every night. Dogs have internal clocks it seems... Maybe you should investigate to see what's going on outside!