Toby Seas Stars

Dear Fisher,

I am a 13 year old male. When I was a puppy I had a barking problem, I stopped barking after proper and now that I am in my golden years, I have converted back to the problem. I bark as if to get approval to go ahead and eat, and I bark when my human is gone. The neighbor says I am becoming senile. Is that true?

My owner thinks I am playing a game with the food but he is frustrated about my barking and bothering the neighbors. I am afraid I am becoming a nuisance. Why am I doing this now?

Toby Seas Stars

Dear Toby Seas Stars,

I can sympathize with your worries. As we get older, anxiety builds and we worry more about our imperfections. Add to that the worries of our humans who love us so dearly, we have a clear case of building anxiety.

While most barking is normal for dogs, anxious barking is usually higher pitched and tends to annoy the neighbors more than usual. Take a look at your possible motives. You might be lonely or bored. It will serve you well to look into a new hobby – a quiet and calm hobby.

In addition to wonderful training tips, the internet offers helpful products. First is the electrical shocking color which is pretty self-explanatory. Then, my favorite is a collar that emits a citrus smell that lingers in the air so your owner knows when he gets home that you have enjoyed a personal bark-a-thon. Another is surgery to remove your barking mechanism. That just renders me speechless! These may not be for you at all.

Since you already brought up the “senility” word, it is important to realize that age does make a difference. Doggy Alzheimer’s disease, formally known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, is a condition that causes problems similar to those that affect aging humans. Memory loss, confusion, and disorientation can easily lead to agitation and barking. You were easily trained as a pup, but now that you are older, the same techniques are inappropriate and could lead you to react defensively. After all, you are likely unaware that a problem exists and you may think the training is for puppies. Insulting!

Some of the things your human can try to help you include:

*First and most essential – determine the cause of your behavior
*For boredom, try fancy new toys and more exercise – tired dogs bark less
*Use a new command such as “enough” rather than “no”
*For separation anxiety, do short practice sessions of pretending to leave the house
*”The Neighbor” might be more than happy to stop in to give you a break, or consider a pet sitter or doggy day care to help you through the day.

When you calm and silent, change daily routine by getting completely ready to leave and then stay and relax awhile. Next, leave for short periods of time, building on that as each segment is effective. Do not rush the process or all will be lost.

For more great information, go to Petfinder for the article by Jacque Lynn Schultz, ASPCA Director, Special Projects, called “Silencing the that Barks When Left Alone.”

Your friend,

Fisher

published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition