"If you haven't already, you should take Stella in for a check-up with her vet. There are a couple of health issues that could be causing the nighttime disturbances. As an older dog, she could be developing dementia. She wakes up and either doesn't know where she is, or doesn't know where you are. As a result, she panics and starts barking."
"There are two schools of thought on how you should deal with a nighttime barker, but you need to know the cause to know which school to follow. If she's suffering cognitive decline and calling out for reassurance, then you might need to get up and comfort her. If she's barking because it's become a habit, then you should ignore her and not reinforce it."
A 14-year-old Havanese named Stella has begun barking during the middle of the night while sleeping in the laundry room, though she does not appear distressed. She sometimes settles when ignored but may resume barking hours later. A veterinary check-up is advised because health issues can cause nighttime disturbances. Older dogs can develop dementia, waking disoriented and panicking, or external noises such as prowling animals or a heater can arouse them. Responses depend on cause: comfort and reassurance for cognitive decline, or ignoring if the behavior is habitual. Making the sleeping area cozier and adding a nightlight may help.
Read at The Mercury News
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