Dog unsettled throughout the night

[Wildmoors]

We have a miniature poodle, she is 6 and unfortunately deaf. She can go from 0 to 100 with barking from being asleep, it’s like she has had a nightmare and it’s completely spooked her. This happens when she is snuggled with us and at other times will come downstairs and bark. It’s affecting us as a family.
she is healthy, active, never left for long periods etc
we have tried all the usual natural remedies but not been successful, has anyone experience of using melatonin ? Or anything else?

I would look at her sleep habits and routine before considering melatonin.

Where does she sleep? Is she crate trained? Does she get enough exercise and mental stimulation?

Could be the first stages of doggy dementia. See 'Sundowners'.

I’d also check environmental factors. We have a similar age pug.
we live near a main dual carriageway on one side and a busy residential estate the other. He has the odd unsettled night and I think it’s usually due to perhaps car lights or passers-by at unexpected late hours? He takes his duty as doggy doorbell very seriously. and if he asks to go out I think at times he sees birds/mice/squirrels,

And once spooked he’s quite touchy to other issues so for example he was going a bit barky one night and the kitchen lights were low so he then barked at his own reflection in the oven door which he never notices usually!

She has never been any different really, she was initially crate trained but once she reached 2 she didn’t like it. It’s still there in the kitchen should she want it. It’s this crazy barking and jumping up from being fast asleep that we really struggle with. I don’t think it’s dementia as she is v alert and no new behaviours. She has plenty of stimulation throughout the day, will come out with us wherever we go if possible.

We don’t live anywhere noisy as she’s deaf she never responds if someone knocks at the door or fireworks