Elderly Dog barks from dawn(and not to go out) seeking help.

[rowenj]

Our Elderly Jack Russel starts to bark rhymically from dawnand of course this wakes most of the household. I say rhymic because it's like bark bark , 5 seconds or so then bark bark, very predicable. So I am asking for advice on how to deal with this. She was fine all winter but now its light at 5am and she can start that early.

[woofgang]

I am betting its dementia. Talk to your vet, there are treatments that can help.

[Kiki-frog]

Dementia was my first thought as well. Does she seem a bit disoriented as well? I agree with woofgang, I think talking to your vet and seeing if they can prescribe anything is the best way forward.

[diane2210]

I suspect she needs to relieve herself, she is getting on a bit now and probable does not sleep as well as she once did, also with the light mornings, and her age she may not have the control on her bladder that she once had.
Try letting her out later at night or if anyone disturbs in the night for toilet facilities then let her out again.
I had this some years ago with a boxer.

[rowenj]

No it's not her bladder, we have ruled that out. Dementia does make sense.
Like I said it seems to be the lighter mornings, the earier and earlier it gets light , the earlier she starts.

[tenrec]

A temporary measure might be blackout curtaining so it is darker.

[ruthann58]

our dog is like this as soon as my son goes out the door at 5-45 am she starts and weekends when he doesnt go to work she still starts at that time, winter and summer the same, she wants her breakfast as soon as she has had that she will go back to sleep

[lankeela]

I've got an old boy who does this. He stands and barks into thin air for no reason - wooot woooot woot and if you touch him he jumps a mile! If he wants to go out he barks then he is standing at the french doors wooting to come back in! Just sheer old age, he also eats much more because he seems to have forgotten he has had his dinner. Won't be around for much longer so I am happy to put up with it.

[rowenj]

Well last night she had a barking marathon from 12am until 3am, so we can rule out the lighter mornings. Then she slept through.

[lankeela]

Maybe a late walk round the block to tire her out a bit - then take her to bed with you.