very old dog...

Question
QUESTION: I am at a dead end here. My dog is very old, and we have to keep her in the garage at night because she can't control her bladder. she barks because she is lonely, or gets stuck under a car when she is sleeping and can't get out, or something like that. We need our sleep, though, and she doesn't stop barking. We can't put her outside because it is way to cold, and she would disturb neighbors. we were wrapping cloth around her muzzle so she wouldn't bark, but sometimes she throws up-and we don't want her to choke/drown because of a muzzle. Muzzles that say they allow vomiting but not barking prolly won't work, because she "chirps"  like little barks that travel through the walls and are still heard at night when trying to fall asleep..... I don't know what to do!!

ANSWER: Hey, Kelsey,

It's a shame that she can't control her bladder, but that's kind of the way it is with old dogs. As for her barking, my impression is that the poor thing is just feeling abandoned and lonesome, and wants to be back inside the house, where she's used to sleeping for most of her life. In my view it isn't fair to expect her to adjust to such a major change in her expected levels of comfort and security.
Concerning the bladder problem, my suggestion would be to talk to your vet. If your dog was spayed she may have spay-related incontinence. Or it might be a urinary tract problem. Either one might be put under control by certain medications.
Another alternative, used by a lot of people, is doggie diapers.
In other words, my advice would be to not put her in the garage and clamp a muzzle on her, but try to deal with the bladder problem in a positive way.

I'm not sure if this is what you want to hear, but I hope it helps you and your girl!

LCK

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well, she is already on pills to help with the incontinence, and frankly she doesn't really have anywhere to stay inside unless she is kept in the laundry room. she makes a lot of noise so she can't be kept in a bedroom. also she scraped her foot onsomething and chewed and licked it so much, she tore off the fur and first layer of skin. We put "the cone" on her and I feel so bad!! we tried the alternative at petco-which didn't work, and we tried making a bandage-but its really wet here, so it molds unless you use like netting! So until it heals, she has to have the cone, but it is sad!! she bites her foot if she gets a chance.

Answer
Hey, Kelsey,

This really is a sad situation. My heart goes out to you guys.
I'm not sure what more I can tell you. Perhaps you could ask the vet if giving her a Benadryl tablet or some melatonin would be acceptable to help her sleep better at night so that you guys can get some sleep as well. The only other solution I can think of is to give her a lively play session or a really long walk before bedtime so that she's used up some of that energy that keeps her from sleeping quietly.

LCK