Barking mad

Hi all

New poster, sorry if this isn’t in the right place but just wanted some advice....

We’ve had our Staffy since he was 6 weeks old, he turns 15 this year. He’s a much loved member of our family. Over the last two years he’s gone deaf and from not barking at all, to barking as soon as my mum (his person) enters the house. His barking episodes last for hours and hours. When she’s not around, he sleeps quietly unless he needs to go in the garden. He’s still functional in all other ways.... enjoys his walks and his food, looks very well for a dog of his age. However, after two years of this it’s really getting my mum down and her whilst her neighbours who have known him all his life are understanding, it’s really not fair. We’re not talking sporadic barking it literally is constant of an evening. He’s even started to wake up in the middle of the night barking.

My mum knows his old, likely has dementia but she loves him and doesn’t want to have him PTS yet..... is there anything anyone could recommend we try? He’s been to the vet for check ups (twice during lockdown) and they are aware but can’t really offer any advice..

Any suggestions welcome....

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Hi from me & Katy, welcome to the forum What a good age he has got to! I came across a 18yr old Beagle at the weekend with Dementia, he barked a lot too!
I haven't any experience with doggie Dementia but will look into it
What's his name & have you a pic for us to see him?

Thank you. His name is Boycie x

Boycie is a very handsome chap

Hi & welcome.

Poor Boycie, and your poor mum!

If he's deaf, he's probably barking because he feels he needs attention - he obviously can't hear what he's doing, so he does it even louder! Was he ever vocal to get attention (whining etc) before he went deaf?

If your finances can take it, I would be inclined to contact a behaviourist with experience in dealing with deaf dogs. They can help you to teach Boycie not to bark & to live easier with his loss of hearing.

Thank you for the response.

He was never vocal. I don’t think it’s attention either as he will still bark if he’s got mums full attention. She’ll have him almost sitting on her, stroking him and he’ll still bark!! Loud and at speed, it’s almost like he has Tourette’s!! He’s always been an extremely well behaved dog but now can’t hear our requests of him! It’s awful x

It's probably either a) the fact that he has no idea he's being loud, or b) he has the onset of dementia.

If it's 'a' then a behaviourist will be able to help with training hints. If it's 'b', then there are tablets that you can give your dog at the onset of dementia, but you can only get them from a vet, and it has to be done under supervision, so regular vet check ups will be involved.

Either way, I'm willing to bet that he has no idea that he's making such a racket!

Thank you for your reply. I don’t think he has a clue.... do you have any idea what these tablets are called?

I honestly can't remember (something like Aktivate?), but if you phone the vets they'll be able to tell you. I think they're only by prescription.

Hello and welcome.
I can’t offer any advice but wish you good luck in finding a suitable solution