Not sure what to do

[JanaBanana612]

I have a 10 year old Chihuahua that within that last two weeks has started a new behavior that I'm a little worried about.  When he goes to bed at night, he wakes up several times crying and barking like he is extremely scared.  It started one night when we had storms but has continued on nightly.  The first few times it happened I let him out long enough to make sure he didn't need to go to the bathroom or was sick.  When let out he is perfectly ok and ready to "chill" with me.  I make him get back into the kennel and he may continue crying/barking or go back to sleep.  Then several hours later, he will do the same thing again.  I'm trying really hard not reward this behavior so when it happens, I "shush" him, keep him in the kennel, and tell him its time for bed.  The crying will go on for a couple minutes then he will stop, repeating it all again later in the night.  

He's always been a great sleeper and I've never had issues with him sleeping through the night.  He's getting older so I'm finding it really worrisome.  Does anyone have any ideas what it could be or what to do?  Nothing in our routine has changed and he is completely normal except for the crying at night. Can dogs lose their mind as they get older?  Could it be nightmares or dementia?

[seeana]

Don't know what happened typing away quite happily and it disappeared.Had to get another keyboard.Now the damn thing came back sorry about that Teach lol.

[seeana]

I am so glad you are going to try it,wow he certainly likes to be close it sounds like he  is
















I am so glad you are going to try that.Wow he really likes to be close, what he is doing as you move away he follows you it seems he likes to feel your body against him and he feels safe  his love knows no bounds.
I have a king size bed to accomadate my three lumps of love but they only get up on the bed for a cuddle and prefer to sleep on the carpet but if I am ever sick they surround me willing me to get better.Maybe your little chap can sense something too as they really have that 6th sense so maybe he thinks you need comfort and care as well.
Cannot not imagine -30 I seize up at -2..

                            

[JanaBanana612]

Thanks Seeana, I'll have to think about putting him next to my bed.  I prefer him in his kennel because he hogs the bed:)  At 5 pounds he always finds a way to be right on top of me!  If not in his kennel it will be his mission in life to get in bed with me.  He also not good at always making sure to tell me when he needs to go outside.  We are in Minnesota and when it is -30 outside it is much more appealing for him to sneak in the other room and use it rather than telling me he needs to go outside.  I don't blame him though.  
Thanks for the reassurance as well.....................  especially now that he is older, every little things gets me nervous.  We tried some extra loving and a walk today.  Hopefully his needs are met and he is tuckered out and will sleep all night!

[seeana]

I do not blame the poor little scrap as he is getting older and like most older dogs a wee bit needy.I do not think he there is anything wrong with him except he needs reassurance and love, its like a child who when sick they are allowed in bed with mum and feel so safe.The older the dogs get the more knowledge they gain and I bet all he wants to do is be by your side.Is that so wrong.?
What about putting one of those igloo type kennels made out of  foam and material next to your bed as you would be close by and he would feel safe.

He is not taking advantage he really feels lost and alone now ! as Ginger said he did not know any different  but now he is just pining for that closeness he had and how great it felt,  at the end of the day isn't that what we all want..... I know I do, must be the age thing .Guess what I have just found myself a wonderful High school teacher to be with.lol

In dog yrs he is 70 can you really spoil them at that age ?? I think not,and as with most of the Seniors the happier we are the longer we live.JMO  

[JanaBanana612]

Ginger, he has a portable kennel that has always been kept in the same spot.  During the storms I let him out for a short moment to make sure he was ok and didn't need to go to the bathroom then put him back in his kennel.  I try to be very careful to make sure I don't reward the behaviors I don't want. (I'm a teacher)  If not in his kennel he will want to share my bed with me and I'm not having that.  It's just so out of character for him.  I tried a walk tonight to see if that will make him sleep better.  I thought after a few days it might go away but after two weeks I'm a little worried.

Thanks Nikkie for our reply, I'll have to keep CDS in mind.  I don't see any other sign of any sort of confusion.  I'll have to think about the vet.  I'm not sure I would be able to afford to treat anything like that.  But I'll look it up and see if there are any ideas about things I can do without medicine.  

I hate when these little guys are sick:(

[nikkie1580]

Yes older dogs can get  dementia it is cds (cognitive dysfunction syndrome)( you can go to cds in dogs.com and get more info )  they get it around 10 yrs old and older there is usually more things that happen long with change in sleep habit there eating happens change they seem lost even in there own house the have potty accidents this is just some of the signs. I would take him to the vet and see what they say, it could be a sign of the start of dementia .Dogs do dream so they probably can have nightmares the usually stay a sleep the whole time and do not wake up and tend to move during a dream.

[ginger899]

What happened when there were the storms you mentioned? Did you take him inside the house, out of his kennel? If you did, that was enough to break his routine, and give him a taste of life "on the other side"
Dogs don't really like being alone. But they are perfectly willing to adapt if they get used to a routine. (If you were to ask most dogs where they would prefer to spend the night the answer would always be "Inside, cuddled up in the bed with my Pack" )
Ha ha. Some get that, yes. But it's not an ideal world, and all canine dreams cannot come true!
He might be crying and unsettled because he wants back in?

Of course, there might be another cause. If you are pretty sure he's ok otherwise, nothing actually wrong with him, then it could be just his routine has been broken. Or it could be because he's suddenly scared of being on his own.

Two choices: Hang on to his routine, and he'll just have to get used to it (oh, and not rewarding him for that behavior is good. But that means no attention. I think you know how to do it)
Second choice: Bring him inside. and let him get away with this one....(But be aware he could view it as the 'thin end of a wedge' so don't let him get away with any other controlling behaviour)