please help.

Question
Hi, my dog is about 2 years old and she has nerve damage from having distemperment. she cant really see but she isnt completely blind. Well i let her out every day from early to late. When I let her out she continuously runs around the yard, she started this about a month or so ago. Also when she hears a noise she goes to the middle of the yard and runs around in circles and barks non-stop. I've tried to figure out what she is doing. Please help.

      Thanks so much,
               Kara

Answer
It sounds as though she is afraid.  A low vision dog may have trouble in the dark, where a normal dog might not.  Dogs generally don't care for being isolated either.  Is there some reason she cannot live inside with you, as most pets do?  I suspect that her vision may be worsening, and in any case, you should take her to the vet to be certain, because if she is blind, or her vision has deteriorated more, she is going to be very anxious outdoors without you.  The good news is that a blind dog can get along very nicely inside, so long as you don't move things around.  "Living With Blind Dogs" is a neat book - I think it's from Lighthouse Publishing.