Barking when left alone ....

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Piglet

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Hey guys I need some advice please, our elderly, deaf dog has started barking when he is left alone in the house. The most he is on his own for is about 4 hours max and that is occasionally, he has fresh air, fresh water and a good bladder!!! He never used to be a problem been left on his own, I have been looking into getting an anti bark collar but most of them emit a high pitched whistle which, been deaf, he won't hear, any suggestions?
 
There are some anti-bark collars which present a stim/vibration or squirt citronella but I do not think this would be fair on the dog who is already missing one of his senses.

You might think of training him to realise that when you go out, good things happen, like he gets fed or he gets a toy to distract him.
Depending on how his teeth are you could leave him with a stuffed Kong or a raw meaty bone to keep him occupied when you go out so the link isn't - mum goes out and I am isolated, instead, mum goes out and I get this awesome thing.
 
I would be reluctant to try any aversives on an old dog who might have a touch of senility(it comes to us all) but would rather take the approach CC suggested, a nice tasty Kong and after a little while he will probabley fall asleep.
 
Worth trying although he won't eat or chew anything when we go out, it is a new one on us as he has only just started doing it for some reason and we are at a loss as to why. He used to tuck himself neatly into his bed and not squeak or move until we came back
 
He should eat if he is hungry. I'd try feeding him through the Kong if that makes any sense? So if you know you are going out, don't feed him in the morning and leave him with something really tasty in the Kong. Most dogs won't eat a Kong if they already have a full tummy.
I'd avoid things like rawhide.

You could also try curtailing him in a smaller room or a covered crate, sometimes the world can be a bit 'big' for dogs and a smaller, darker area can provide a bit more security and comfort.

Lots of dogs change behaviour as they get older, as do humans!!
 
It might be worth popping him to the vet for a check up, his eye sight might not be so good and there are meds for senile old dogs which may well help with this behaviour .
 
Brilliant advice, I will try the treat ball with yummies inside which may distract him as been a typical Spaniel, he is very food orientated!!!
 
One of my dogs has bad ears (not deaf but always infected etc). He barks a lot and apparently its connected?
 
My old dog had terrible ears and he didn't bark any more than any of the other dogs we have had...he did wheedle a lot though, and his litter sister properly screamed!!!
 
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