[LeChatNinjah]

He's lost it.

He's nearly 15. He's a Jack Russell who has been a beloved family member for all of his nearly-15 years.

He's also batsh*t crazy. He's 100% deaf, 90% blind and 80% incontinent.

He's been an outside dog his whole life. He gets brought inside during weather extremes, but now he just pees and poos everywhere and also desperately scrabbles at the door to get back outside after around 30 seconds inside.

But now he's barking mad. And I mean that literally.

When I get home after being out he jumps up at the back door and puppy barks until I come out or let him in. But then he hates being inside after 2 minutes.

I can deal with all of the above. But the 2 neighbours I am pretty good friends with have told me that he barks all day. Not non-stop, but enough to be really annoying. They've know him for years and know he's old and a bit nuts and said it doesn't bother them, but have heard from other neighbours that it's becoming a nuisance.

He never used to do that. I can't leave him inside all day. He would hate it and pee on everything. Our vet is the one who first brought up the concept of senility in old dogs. I didn't know that was a thing.

What can I possibly do? I don't want to p*ss off the neighbours, but if I were to keep him inside he'd bark even more. If I leave him outside he barks. He's nearly 15.bless him and has been a fabulous pet for all that time (discounting the horrific chicken-killing incident of 2002) and I want him to have a gentle and loving final time.

Any thoughts at all?

[*Spikey*]

I'd talk to the vet.

Its not something that can be trained out, because the cause seems to be medically based, poor love.

They may have something they can do/give to calm him down, so he doesn't need to bark all of the time and is less bothered by you being away.

[countrymel]

My cat got dementia. But he was a cat and not prone to barking (he wasn't THAT mad) so he was only a nuisance to himself... "Why am I here? How can I get down? Is it dinner time? Is it dinner time? Oh I thought that was a litter tray? Is it dinner time? I'll wash! (unfortunately he only ever remembered to wash the same spot... ) Is it dinner time? Is it dinner time now? Hmm.. why am I here? Is it dinner time?"

Eventually his kidneys gave up the ghost so he was put to sleep.

OP see if the vet can give you some type of canine anti depressant... not wanting to compare my elderly father with an incontinent dog - but - since he has been living in care and they have put him on anti depressants he is SO much calmer and happier and MUCH less confused.

Hopefully this will apply to your pup too!