time change anxiety?

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

A few months ago I posted a discussion about my dog never barking. Shortly after that our little darling found his voice. He still isn't what I would consider a 'barker'. He only barks if he hears or senses something outside. While we greatly appreciate his guard dog barking, it always makes me nervous because I know he doesn't just bark at anything. Since the time change he has been super protective and barks a lot more, especially when it gets dark out. It's still not just barking at anything either, he goes to the door, stair case, windows and will just stare at them and bark. He eventually calms down and comes to find me. The problem is, my husband has to work late sometimes and Timbow's crazy barking is making me so uncomfortable. Even though we live in a super safe neighborhood, I am constantly looking outside and feeling paranoid. Has anyone else had a problem with their dog acting strange since the time change? We are taking him on two walks a day and he gets a lot of attention and play time at home so it's not an exercise problem. I would appreciate any feedback and advice! :)

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Maybe you have a ghost in your house that only the dog can see!...lol....just joking....

In all honesty, science has determined that the reason that dogs have an uncanny sense and way of knowing what time it happens to be is because their internal clocks function based on the brains reactivity to visual stimuli...primarily ambient light at certain times of the day......The lack of light now due to the time change may be a factor in your dog's anxiety...also, the lack of light and the fact the sun is much lower in the sky during the winter months may be casting unfamiliar shadows in your home that appear ominous to a dog....

Unless a dog was specifically bred as a "sight hound", most dogs do not rely on their sight as a primary sense and instead rely on their noses for processing information....In fact, for most dogs sight is not their strong point....so it may just involve some time for your pup to adjust to the time change and visual changes.....

In any case I would mention it to your vet and ask their opinion of this recent change in behavior......

[Missi]

My first instinct is GHOST! But maybe I have some lingering Halloween thoughts....

Honestly, though, Lizzie is the same way, she only barks when she feels threatened or hears/sees something scary. She is otherwise a very quiet doodle! I notice on windier days Lizzie barks more often since leaves and trees are moving and the weather has been windier here. I agree with Jacquie that the light and shadow changes could be scary as well. My cats, more than Lizzie, seem to have had some behavior changes with the time change.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Tucker has always barked more when it it dark outside. I think he sees himself in the glass doors. It drives me crazy some evenings because it's that "alert: bark like someone is out there. There is not a darn thing around. I put on the light out back and that often helps. I think he sees himself or maybe the bushes or or tree shadows. All day, there is usally not a peep out of him unless some is walking a dog or something similar. Maybe he needs glasses!

[Sue Z. + Finley]

My dog Finley has been acting crazy since the time change, too. This morning when he got up at 5:00 am (darn time change) he stood outside, looked up, and started barking at the moon. He has not really barked at anything before. I'm not sure that he could see the moon, but it was the only thing in the sky at that time. However, I sure wish he would sleep in a little longer in the morning especially on the weekend.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Dexter's internal clock works way too well. He has been begging for dinner an hour early since we changed the clocks.

[Lucy's Mom~ Liz]

My Lucy is a 1 1/2. She didn't bark at all for a long time. Now, only when something is strange, out of place or looks exciting! ( she rings bells hanging on the door to go outside and one woof to come back in) .We have so many dogs in the neighborhood that bark, she is one of the quieter ones thankfully. But she gets "wigged out" once in awhile and it is spooky! Usually in the middle of the night. She's a good guard dog, but so lovable and loves to play. Most of the time her bark is because she wants to go chase. This is especially true if she sees a stray dog or cat. We are certainly learning the differences between her barks! Maybe yours is similar. We try to ignore most of it, or redirect her with playing and a little attention ( only 2-3 times we were unable to distract her). I would think she can pick up on your anxiety.
As far as the time change- she wants her food at the right time for her stomach, not for the clock!
Good luck-

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri has been barking her head off since the time change. I hope she settles down!

[Caroline]

Christy has been barking more than usual too. However, since she discovered her "voice" at around 7 months of age, she has become a big barker. Some of it's protective-noises/people outside near the house. Other times she barks at the TV - animals or people dancing really set her off , she barks back if the dogs in the condo
upstairs bark. We are working on "quiet"
command but I don't want to stop all of it as often it is appropriate and would alert to intruders etc.