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Ok, in the recent months I've been watching my "normally crazy dog" go so far off the deep end, I now know that he might have been "normal" So I've been doing some research very recently, and it seems that they are discovering that dogs are now hitting ages that they too can develop alzimhers (sp?) Has anyone else had issues with this with their older dogs? Stanley, the love of my life has become my faithful alarm clock, going off for 20-30 mins 3-5 times a night. By going off I mean he begins by winding up and sounds like he might be growling/howling...by the time he wears his self out he is at the high pitch of a howl...I love him, but OMG there has got to be something that I can do. The old man does have arthritis, and gets his aspirin a day for the pain...I honestly don't know what to do with him...and putting him down isn't in the question yet...it's a matter of the howling right now that is killing me...
Love, Houstonwho now lives in houston

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I can sympathize with you houston. I have a Dalmation, about 8 or 9 yrs. old now. For about the past 4 yrs. we have to keep the Dalmation separated from the Great Dane cause the Dane kept attacking the Dalmation. A dominance thing as they are both female.

One stays in the living room for awhile & the other in the bedroom. Then I slip a muzzle on the Dane & they trade places. ANYWAY, for about the last yr. now, a lot of the time when the Dalmation is in the bedroom, even as soon as put in there sometimes, she begins to whine & whine & whine, & WHINE! Sometimes, she even barks & scratches at the door. Verbal warnings usually go unheeded & even physical punishment rarely phases her. It literally drives me nuts as we have a small house & she is very loud.

After a yr. I'm finding myself giving in more & letting her come out in the living room more & the Dane in the bedroom more. But the Dane gets bored & chews up our bedding!

Sorry............ I can't help you.

Since you have an older dog, and you are doing everything in your power to help him out esp. with his health probs, have you called your vet's office to ask for his/her advice? Perhaps there is somethign on the market like a doggie downer to help your guy sleep through the night so he doesn't get the idea to howl.

Thats my best advice...oh, I would also recommend phoning other vets who do not know of your dog specifically for second and third opinions. The more collective advice you can get the better. I hope you get it taken care of soon--I know a noisy dog at night can be a exhausting (I have a young Aussie Shepherd that will cry outside the bedroom door b/c he isn't right there with you... )

A vet check would be a good idea. Some of those crazy behaviors can be tracked down to pain, hormonal, or chemical imbalances. All of which can be treated although in some cases it may cost a fortune to do so. Pet insurance is becoming popular for a reason.

Could be hearing a specific siren or whistle that is setting him off. Check to see if it is somthing you can set your clocks by like factory shift timers or such. I live in a very rural area and an ambulance siren with in a few miles turns my newf into a howler from hell. LOL Good Luck!

puddlecat

Thanks ya'll for the advice. Stanley's been to the vet and best she could say is he is loosing what little mind he has left. As far as hearing things, he's practically totally deaf, unless it is the upper levels...The vet said it is common for them at this age to begin to lose what sanity they have, so well, i guess i get to lose what little i have as well since i love him and otherwise his health is still in good shape



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here we are in the new apartment, in our new bed, with new toys that I picked out...the crazy loveable pug...stanley

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle