I adopted Scout, a four-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, about eight months ago. He was very shy when I first brought him home, but over time he became incredibly attached to me. He follows me from room to room, sleeps beside my bed, and waits by the window when I leave for work.
Lately, though, something has changed. Almost every evening around 7 p.m., Scout starts barking at me. It isn’t the usual excited bark he makes when someone knocks on the door. He stands a few feet away, stares directly at me, and barks several times. Sometimes he brings me his favorite rope toy, but other times he just keeps staring and barking even after I talk to him.
I’ve tried taking him outside, giving him dinner earlier, playing with him, and even ignoring the barking. Nothing seems to make much difference. The strange part is that he is perfectly calm during the day. He can nap while I work from home, and he doesn’t seem bothered by normal household noises.
I recently changed my work schedule, so I’m getting home about an hour later than I used to. I also haven’t been taking him on our longer evening walks because it’s been so hot outside. I’m wondering if he’s frustrated, bored, anxious, or trying to tell me something.
I feel terrible when I can’t figure out what he needs. Has anyone else’s rescue dog developed a very specific evening behavior like this?
and then
My rescue terrier, Penny, went through a phase where she barked at me every night around dinner time, and I eventually realized she had developed a little routine in her head. When I changed my schedule, she didn’t understand why her familiar evening pattern had disappeared.
With Scout, I would look at what changed around the time the barking started rather than focusing only on the barking itself. Your later work schedule and shorter walks could be a big part of it. He may simply be telling you that his evening feels different now.
I found that giving Penny a predictable “evening job” helped. After dinner, we’d spend ten minutes doing a simple sniffing game around the house, followed by some quiet time with her favorite toy. It wasn’t a huge amount of exercise, but she seemed much more settled when she knew what came next.
I’d also avoid scolding him if possible. Rescue dogs can be especially sensitive to changes in routine, and barking isn’t always defiance.
You know Scout better than anyone, so trust your observations. If the behavior keeps changing or comes with other unusual signs, I’d mention it at his next veterinary visit just to be safe.
You’re clearly trying hard to understand him, and that patience is one of the best gifts you can give a rescue dog.