Elderly dog sudddenly started barking at night.

[lizbud]

I would think the problem is that at her age, she's feeling the effects of
age is maybe in pain when she tries to rest outside. maybe she is feeling
or sensing change in the enviroment. Any changes in her outside enviroment?
More people passing by,,etc? If you don't have your dogs on any joint
suppliment medicine, maybe you should look into that too.

[Freedom]

Has something changed in the area which could be getting her attention? Especially since it is not every night and not something the other dog in with her senses. Sounds like it is early morning that she starts this? Like did the milk truck change its route (does anyone even still HAVE milk delivered??) That kind of thing? Just a possibility to consider.

[Canis-Lupess]

I've not noticed any changes. Her hearing is probably too poor to hear traffic out on the fronts now really.

I have had her on glucosamine sulphate for years now and also cod liver oil and she is also on metacam from the vets but I don't think thats making much of a difference. I'm thinking of going back to see if there is anything else we can try on her.

The idea that her advancing deafness might be making things a little "Too" quiet for comfort is a viable idea, I suppose. I know she can still hear things closer up but most of the little sounds at night are further away and quieter like owls hooting, other dogs barking maybe, the odd car driving past, cats fighting, lol and just the general sound of breeze against foliage etc... I'll ask the vets if they've ever heard of it happening before. If it is that, I don't suppose there is anything they could do about it?

This evening, I have put her in the shed. She's been in there before without problems so I know she'll be ok. I made a comfy bed for her and put a dish of water in there. She went for a walk and we got back at about 5 past 10 and I gave her an evening meal along with her glucosamine tablet.
I think I have heard her yap in the shed a couple of times but I suppose it will be quieter and more muffled in there at least. I'll take her out first thing tomorrow and put her back with Jess.

As for eyesight, I have not noticed any real degeneration there. She can still see me easily enough even from quite a distance when we are on the field for example and can still see where she is going at night. I'm sure her eyesight isn't what it used to be but I don't think it has gone really poor.

Thanks for answering guys. Anymore comments or suggestions are welcome.