barking is driving me distraction!

[imported_Kat]

No its not Kes. Kes is a wee angel :angel: Its Zoe my 14 year old Golden retriever. She is barking non stop :evil: . I take her out to pee and she comes in and again starts to bark. I know she is old and her days are numbered but this barking is so annoying! My head is bursting this morning and its only 10.35am but she has been at it since 6am arghhhhhhhh. :wallbash: Even if i go out to tell her to shut it, i only close the door of the utility room and she starts up again! I hate yelling because then Kes thinks shes getting a bollicking and she cowers in her crate looking up at me. I was afraid that the barking would teach Kes that its ok to bark but thank goodness shes a smart puppy and knows that she will get yelled at if she does bark unnecessarily.

I honestly think that shes senile! Has anyone else had an old dog who has done this?

[rotten_two]

one of my friends has a relatively old dog who is both deaf and pretty much blind. she just went thru a period where the dog barked for no particular reason non-stop. i know it is frustrating especially when you and the neighborhood are trying to sleep. also hunny yells at gaia for barking at the squirrels and assorted vermin we have in the yard. i get so frustrated with him. i think gaia actually thinks his yelling is him joining in on the alert. so maybe zoe is "seeing" things and barking then you come down and join in the fun, plus she's getting attention. i don't have any advice except maybe a "hush" word so that you don't have to yell (you've probably already tried everything tho) -- will she busy herself with a kong or is she not interested? could she be moved to your room to sleep -- maybe that would quiet her if she could be near you?

poor zoe & kat!

[ObedienceGrrl]

I know a lot of older dogs who bark like that for the same reason R2 said.

They are usually just confused and want to be near you.

[imported_Kat]

Since its not raining today I put her outside and tethered her. Shes actually not barking :o Maybe she feels too confined in the utility room but i gave her lunch outside and shes laying down happily not uttering a word. Really strange dog!