Hi....

I posted on here but in the training and behaviour thread about my oldest dog and his recent behaviour....
To cut it short.....He has started waking thro' the night and barking, crying, pacing and rattling baby gate etc....when i go down stairs he appears to be very spooked and when let out doesn't go to the loo or anything but is very reluctant to come back in.....when i go back to bed he can carry on for hours barking and crying or he may just carry on a short while longer....he has started doing it on a morning now...as soon as he awakes he starts....It's torture....

Anyway.....i took everyones advice and went to the vet to have him checked over.....All the vet did was listen to his heart....look in his ears and mouth and that was it....quickly diagnosing it was behavioural!!!!!!

I am not sure whether i should get a second opinion or not......how can he tell from such a brief examination......

My dog is ten and has never had any problems with his sleeping patterns.....

I would say go for a second opinion, especially if you are in doubt. If you do go again dont say nothing about behaviour let the vet diagnose the dog.

Having spent just one night recently being woken every hour by an unsettled dog I can appreciate you're reaching the end of your tether. :( Is there any consistency to the time he wakes you? Can you put his bed in a different room, for a while at least, to break the habit?

We are going away on holiday next week and the dogs are coming with us.....What I have thought is that IF it is behavioural then you would hope the change of scenery might stop it.....if he comes back doing the same...I would be very anxious for a second opinion..>!

I had something similar with one of my dogs about a year ago.  She started waking me up during the night - 2 or 3 times - let her out nothing.  She would stand outside looking around telling me what lovely stars were out and how the moon looked but she settled between the outings.  I took her to the vet and had all the test imaginable done.  By this time I thought it was all in her mind. They x-rayed and did an ultra sound and where her spleen should be was one large grey area. They operated and her spleen was as large as a football. It had twisted and was engorged with blood.  The vet removed it and everthing has been fine since.  She still wakes me at night occasionally but usually this is because she wants out or she has lost her space on the bed!

I hope you get to the root of your pet's problems but I would insist on more tests etc to rule out a medical problem.

Sue

Can you remind us how old he is?

A sudden change in behaviour esp. in an older dog does warrant a vet check so it's good you went for one.

Dogs may get a little anxious if problems are starting with the other dogs, (say if they are getting pushed off their own bed) or sometimes strange noises in the house (even the clicky noise of the boiler can do it for some).

It does appear he is very up set about something.

Lindsay
X

He's 10 yrs old......

This problem is driving me mad......this morning he barked me up and i let him out....I work from home and have my office upstairs....I gave  them their breakfasts and had mine and then came upstairs to do some work....and he is sat at the bottom of the stairs crying and whining......