Older Dog has started barking at night

I will do as you say tonight 3dognight. We are pretty desperate as very worried about him.
We would also like some ??

I have ordered some Activait, it's worth a try, thank you.
We would never put a muzzle on him.
The vet got back to me thus evening, they are short staffed...
Nothing showing his urine sample, all good.
His kidneys looking OK.
She suggested that l give extra pain relief for the next 4 nights
And see if it makes a difference. He has severe arthritis in all his joints and spine. If that doesn't help, blood tests on Monday.

GrandtanteJE65,
It may have done, it could happened when we were out on Saturday night. We do live on an estate so maybe fireworks which he hates.
No new neighbours, dog next door.
Thank you

Maya1

Casdon, it is just my husband and l here with him. We are both retired and because he has had so many problems he hasn't been left very often.
We don't go on holiday unless he can come with us or days out.
We did wonder if something happened on that Saturday night,
It was the first night we left him since lockdown to babysit our granddaughter.
I feel so guilty now.

Maybe something did happen on the Saturday night when you babysat.
I suspect leaving him for a few hours after not being left at all during lockdown maybe was stressful ?

Some dogs ‘play’ us and without us realising they are manipulating our behaviour to their own ends. I’m not saying your dog is doing this- but it’s something to be aware of. Two of my last three dogs were/are manipulative , just because they are such bright clever dogs.

I would go down stairs, after hearing the barking, there would be no interaction between me and the dog.
Just make a drink sit a while then go back up. Do this gradually taking your night time drink nearer to the stairs, after a week you will aim to be halfway up the stairs, sat on the stairs with your drink. The end goal is to to have the dog reassured just by seeing you without excitement or any interaction.

I only mention it because it worked for my sister, she had the exact same problem!

With mine they just love to sleep with smelly socks, worn pants and t shirts for reassurance.

OH PS please do not muzzle dogs to stop them barking and NEVER leave a muzzle on a dog if you are not right there to supervise. Dogs have been injured, even died getting the muzzle caught on things. The soft "sleeve" kind are even more dangerous as they stop the dog panting.

If he is an old dog them i would suggest trying Activait which is a non prescription supplement for old dogs who might be getting dementia. The only sign in my old dog was that as he got a bit deafer, he would lose me round the house. It took a while to have an effect (I think they say six weeks) but it did perk him up and he was able to learn to go and look for me whereas before if he got somewhere and I wasn't there eg the garage, he would just stand and wait. he has learned some new cues to help him to find me, eg if the upstairs light is on and the downstairs loo door is open (he used to wait outside the closed door thinking I was in there) then I am upstairs whereas before the activait, new learning was not possible.

Think back: could anything have scared him a week ago on Friday or Saturday that he is reacting to?

Have there been any changes in your neighbourhood? New neighbours, a new dog or cat next door?

Has a fox or badger suddenly decided that your garden, or the neighbours, would be a good place to stroll at night?

I would find another vet and get a second opinion if I were you. Yours sound rather useless.

Bluebellwould, The intercom is a great idea, l hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

Thanks everyone. I will keep you updated.
Yes, we have left the both television and the radio on for him.
It didn't help, l will contact Wood Green animal charity, we rescued him from there and l believe they can recommend behaviouralists.
If it comes to it, and we cannot get him sorted or upstairs, we would have to change our sofa for a sofa bed.

Why not try an intercom type thing so you could speak to him from your bedroom? You might have to wake up but not get out of bed. Good luck.

Caleo, I sleep downstairs these days as my JRT often needs a trip outside in the early hours. It's quite bad enough struggling with the harness and putting garden shoes on - without negotiating stairs when I'm half asleep

Have you tried leaving the television on for him? You would possibly be better off speaking to a dog behaviouralist.

I'd move my bed downstairs, but that is just me and would not suit everyone.

I hope you are able to sort this Maya1 do let us know how you get on.

Thanks Casdon, l will get him a new harness tomorrow, and we will try your suggestion. He is very sensitive to all things, raised voices etc.
No Hopikins, l just whispered ducky fillets to him, he was asleep and he quickly popped his head up...he loves his treats.
Thank you all for trying to help. I am so very grateful.

My daughter in the USA has two dogs. Both rescue, the eldest one started barking at night and was found to be deaf, her sight is also pretty poor now. Even though she had the company of the younger dog she still wanted human company for reassurance at night, I guess not being able to hear makes them nervous and they need to know you are around. I am afraid there is not an easy answer.

Thanks Smileless2012. The only other vets are VetsforPets, a chain.
We have used these vets for years with all our dogs and have never had a problem like this. They are usually outstanding.

Maya1 I really think that might be what started him off then, mine is very sensitive, he’s a spaniel but I know border collies are too, and he probably feels very insecure when he wakes in the night and needs the reassurance that you are there.

Will he go up the stairs on a harness, as if this is the problem he would probably be happier being near to you at night if you can’t break him of the barking habit?

Casdon, it is just my husband and l here with him. We are both retired and because he has had so many problems he hasn't been left very often.
We don't go on holiday unless he can come with us or days out.
We did wonder if something happened on that Saturday night,
It was the first night we left him since lockdown to babysit our granddaughter.
I feel so guilty now.

Are there any other vets in your area Maya1? I would strongly think about going elsewhere. This is poor care IMO.

Yes Smileless2012, l agree. I did manage to get a urine sample from him last Friday, which l took straight down to the vets and have called twice for results.
The receptionist told me someone should get back to me in the next couple of days.
I think they should also do a scan.
Redhead56, how was the dementia diagnosed please? So sorry for you that your beloved dog died.

I’m not sure that it’s as serious as some are suggesting. My dog is 5, and he barked one night to let us know he needed to go out (he had a bad stomach). He’s a clever dog, and obviously realised having done it once that we responded. So, the next night again he barked - it took me a week to realise he was just wanting attention, he was lonely. I stuck it out for two nights ignoring him, and he stopped, he obviously realised it wasn’t going to work again. Border collies are clever dogs, so there may have been a similar trigger moment with yours if you think back.

I wonder if it’s the start of dementia, could you buy a plug in for him , feliway is for cats, not sure if dogs can have the same

Thank you Jane Judge. No he isn't deaf. Since he started on his Librela injections he seems like a new dog health wise.
He is on a diet as his arthritis stopped him moving around. He has lost 4kg so far.
We have a plug in adapter.

I did wonder about a muzzle but l worry that he will become very distressed.
We rescued him at 10 months, he had been terribly mistreated.
He is afraid of stairs, he cannot be in enclosed spaces so cannot be in kennels.
This started out of the blue a week ago Saturday.