Hello, me again.

I posted a while back about Molly barking all the time.  When she barks to warn us there is someone around I'm pleased, but then she just goes on barking.  Digger posted some very good replies and since she has improved.

But now we can't go a single night without her waking up at some point, racing downstairs (yes she does sleep upstairs and yes I know!) and barking her head off.  Sometimes this is 2/3 times a night and always at different times (so its obv. not someone going to work at the same time she can hear).  I know her hearing is far superior, but we can never hear or see anything when she does this and it's now becoming annoying as we're all losing sleep. 

It's not just a few barks either - she really goes for it and won't stop until one of us goes down and carries her back to bed.  Sometimes she goes and sits at the top of the stairs and it's almost as if she's just waiting for the opportunity to bark!  has anyone got any suggestions why she's doing it and how we can break the habit?  she's now 7 months old (Westie).

Thanks

Claire, I have a border collie that does this. I would always look to and see nothing. However discovered that she was probably barking at rabbits, ever time we would get up and really look we would find that there was a rabbit in the yard. Make sure your shades are closed and close your door to the bedroom if thats where she sleeps. Do not let her have free roam of the house at night.

Glad I was able to help.  I'd agree it's probably some kind of stimulus - possibly external, but also possibly internat - you may have mice............

No! No!  Don't say we've got mice.  First I couldn't sleep because of the barking - now I won't be able to sleep because I'll be imagining tiny footsteps! LOL

Molly seems to be having good and bad nights.  We had about four nights of un-interrupted sleep and then she's been a pain all last night and all day today.  However, we do have a problem with kids round here and every time she's barked today there has always been a reason, so I guess there's not a lot we can do about it.  I just worry that when we go out something might happen to cause her to bark and she might upset the neighbours.

I don't like the idea of the anti-bark collars as she only barks when she hears something and therefore think she is doing her job by protecting her territory.

What about buying an antibark collar ?

Our oldies have began to get us up two and three times during the night most nights.  At first I thought it was just that they needed to go out so did that but problem persists.  We don't know what it is, there does not appear to be any strange happenings aound, no noise etc and in spite of them going out, having a wee etc, the bed is still wet each morning. 

We have tried not letting them drink late on (as you would with children) but it makes no difference.  Now resigned to the fact that it is an 'old dog thing' and therefore something we live with.  I would welcome ideas though, we are so tired.