Elderly dog sudddenly started barking at night.

[agilityk9trainer]

I agree with Mike. I have heard this too. I also think you might be making things worse if you put her in a shed (in the dark, I'm sure) by herself. Now she doesn't have the companionship of another dog and she's alone in the dark. That's not going to make it better. They really do need to be with humans, especially at that age. If you absolutely need to put her in the shed, put a nightlight (or some kind of light) in there and put the other dog with her.

Good point. Also, dog proof the shed.

[Canis-Lupess]

Hi all.

Thanks for the answers. I've been looking up the deafness thing and I mentioned it to my mum who said she knew somebody years ago who's dog did the same when it went deaf. That dog lived indoors but still did it.
We've had dogs previously that went deaf in old age but, fortunately, they didn't develop the barking issue.

If I had my way, I'd find somewhere in the house to put them at night but, trust me, there is no way no how am I going to convince the parents, in particular the stepdad, to let them come in on a night. We have an enclosed insulated porch against the house but he doesn't even like them in there, says they leave a doggy smell which he hates and also the cats spend the night in there and we couldn't leave them all in the same place.
The kitchen floor is lino and Mist can't really stand up on it properly because her legs just slide out from under her. She can walk across the kitchen ok but if she's actually in there and has to get up from a laying position on it, she has such difficulty.

As for the shed, it was built as a potting shed and for putting plants in too and has windows all along the front from half way up to the roof so it's only dark in there at night anyway and she will be with Jess for the rest of the time. It is even darker in her kennel because they have carpet strips that hang down in front of the openings to keep out draughts and would also be dark in the house at night so there's no real difference regarding light levels.
She stayed in there last night and wasn't any worse than usual but her bark is much more muffled so it won't be heard by other people.
I cleared it out and removed anything that could fall on her or be dangerous.
I can mention to the stepdad about providing her with some extra light although light pollution on it's own will stop it being pitch black in the shed even at night.

I know it isn't good for dogs to be with humans 24/7 because this can cause seperation anxiety and over dependence. Spending the night on their own is better in that respect. I'd like to create more opportunities for them to be with me more in the day but it is so hard in winter when the garden is all saturated and such, you can't really spend any time in it. In summer, the dogs spend all day on the garden and flake out under the small tree on the top lawn out of the sun and I walk them during cooler times. At the moment, they can't spend time out on the garden because it's so wet and horrid.

fortunately, we've had it so mild this winter in the UK this year. Not a single snowflake around here put it that way. When I do bring the dogs into the house at bonfire, they just lay and pant and drink tons of water and I think this would cause Mist to not be able to hold herself for several hours at night as well. She'd end up doing it on the floor. At bonfire, I had to take them out on the lawn regularly throughout the evening.

When she goes for a walk, she wears a weather proof coat and, at home, she wears a kennel rug. Jess also wears a weather proof coat if it is raining when I walk them but Jess is very fit and mobile for her age. No sign of arthritis on her. Most people don't think she is as old as she is.

Also, being as she can still hear closer up or louder stuff, what about playing some music quietly to give her something to hear? I know that night time can be deadly quiet whether you're in the house, outside or wherever.
I'm not sure what I'd play the music with or how I'd power the appliance, lol. Would have to figure that out.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Just as in people other animals senses get stronger when another sense is getting weaker. Maybe with her hearing going with age she is more sensitive to vibration. My mother has a jack russell that we think has hearing problems as she feels every movement with her body, such as vibrations from thunder long before there is even a storm in site. She spins in circles on the floor barking at the ground as if she thinks it is coming from the ground. I guess to her it is if she does not hear the sound from above. Maybe your dog is feeling the vibration from something that is causing her to bark and she may feel vonerable due to her age and arthritis. Just a thought. I agree with the above that they should really be inside.

[Canis-Lupess]

There is no way they'll ever be able to come inside. Not a chance. I can beg until I am blue in the face but there is no way the parents will ever allow them in. Also, when they do come in such as at bonfire, they just pant and drink a lot more water like I stated above. They aren't used to the central heating. Another, younger daughter of Mists was kept indoors and she had to be put down in June last year due to a womb infection that spread to her kidneys and she was about 2 weeks off her 10th birthday so I don't think that Jess and Mist have done too bad. I know that being indoors didn't cause her illness but being indoors doesn't prevent anything really and make them healthier. I don't think being outdoors has done our Jess any harm. She is fitter and healthier than many dogs several years younger than her. Obviously, she could come down with anything not even related to arthritis at her age but that could happen no matter what. It's just one of those things.
I admit, I'd like them to be able to come in more just to be with them more if the weather is bad but it won't happen here unfortunately. No amount of people saying they should be brought in will change a thing regarding how my parents feels about it. Also, if she did come in and barked at night in the house..now that WOULD keep everyone in our house awake.

Anyway, it seems that Mist is unable to hold herself from 10pm until first thing the next morning and is peeing in the shed. I had a feeling this would happen so I am putting down layers of newspaper with a sheet of waterproof plastic at the base for her to pee on then I can just change it every morning. I doubt she'll learn how to hold herself now at her age and I don't think she is able to anyway due to age. I think she has just gotten a bit incontinent.

I didn't hear her bark last night btw. I haven't heard her today either but it has rained all day. Been very miserable.

We haven't had any storms or fireworks, other than on new years eve when I brought the dogs in, cetainly nothing that would have worried Mist when her hearing was perfect. I think now that it is more down to creating some sound for herself to break the deadly silence because she doesn't seem to do it so much if it is windy and bad weather that creates enough sound, she does it most when it is calm and quiet. Also, if there are fireworks or thunder, she doesn't bark then either or whine even. She gets worried and you can see it but not vocal.

[Canis-Lupess]

This evening, I have put Jess in the shed with Mist as somebody above suggested to see how things are. At least she'll have company and another warm body to snuggle up to but it is surprising how warm it is in there regardless.
I don't have to get up early tomorrow so I'll lay in a bit after having two really bad nights on the trot and having to go to work but my mum is always up early so she's going to take the dogs out of the shed first thing.