Dog started barking at annoying times

[fernsandlilies]

DDog is an 11 y/o spaniel, generally quite chilled. He's always barked at the doorbell, but otherwise he's been pretty quiet.

Recently, though, he's started barking in really inconvenient situations, and it's increasing. He barks when we're standing up, or sitting having a conversation, no matter which room of the house we're in. He barks when we're eating food together (although not when each of us is alone). When we're out walking, he barks if we stop. Today again he started barking when DH and I were eating dinner (instead of just begging for food as usual) and he's carried on now that I have come upstairs. In between barking he's dragging his blanket out and chewing it.

His behaviour really looks as though it's driven by anxiety or stress/ excitement. We generally try ignoring him completely, but this gets him more worked up. We tried reassuring him , but he doesn't calm.

I read online about ignoring him then praising him when he's quiet, but it feels like he's not at all receptive, even when he goes quiet he's still tense and then it starts up again.

Any thoughts? He gets several walks a day, time off lead, plus longer hikes at weekends, and there are no other health problems that we are aware of.

Sorry, no ideas on what it could be. But it may be worth a check-up at the vets if it's a sudden change in behaviour?

Agreed. Sudden change in behaviour especially given his age could point to pain,hearing loss,even dementia 😢
best to rule that sort of stuff out first

That's a good idea, but I don't see anything else in him that suggests pain/dementia/hearing loss.

It's like some behaviours by us are a trigger for him, but I can't figure it out.

start keeping a diary, logging what precedes the barking events, plus a full run down of general day to day stuff too (eg if pain is stopping him sleep as much, he will be overtired and prone to anxious behaviour.likewise if more or less exercise = better or worse behaviour overall )
if you log everything, you or your vet might be able to spot a pattern to give you clues.

That's an easy take to a vet scenario, I'd want his eyes and ears checked for a start. At 11yo he might be getting a bit muddled as well, my dads dog is old now and barks a lot more than he used to.

Could be pain related. Dogs mask pain very well and he’s old to be getting several walks a day perhaps.

Any change in behaviour that can't be explained requires a vet visit, especially at that age.

At 11 he's very much a senior dog now and may be struggling with pain, a health condition, hearing, sight or even dementia.

I know you say you don't see any other signs but dogs hide pain and problems very very well.

Thanks everybody. Consensus is vet visit, then.