Keeping Dogs Quiet

Question
Hi Charlotte.  My dog is ruining my life, and if it does not stop, then I fear that I may have to give her to a shelter.  She is a 13.5 year old Australian cattle dog who recently has taken to barking non-stop all night every night.  As a light sleeper, I am unable to sleep through this noise.  I am at my wit's end.  Do you know if there are sound-proof dog-cages, or muzzles, or anything else that would help?  At this point, I would even consider giving her away if there were any shelters that would take a dog that age and not put her to sleep in the likely event that she were not adopted.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Vance;
Your dog is old, and I'll bet she is blind or losing her sight, or hearing. Something is wrong. Dogs don't live that long and then start barking incessantly for no reason.
My English setter is old and almost blind,, and she sometimes barks at night. She gets to a room and gets disoriented, and doesn't know the way back to where she is going.
She barks loudly, like something is wrong. I get up, go to where she is and turn on a light, and guide her till she gets her bearings, and she goes back to her bed, and goes back to sleep. This happens when she is getting a drink or wants to go outside to potty. Sometimes she gets confused and can't find the doggy door, and since she can't see, she needs some help.
When they get older, they don't sleep through the night without having to go potty.
It could be deafness.
It could also be Alzheimers. Yep, animals can get that too.
Take her for a checkup, but observe where she is, and what she is doing.Try to learn what she is trying to tell you.
She is needing help, and calling you, because you are her help.
There are no soundproof cages, and a muzzle will not stop her barking, and they are very dangerous if the dog wearing one is left unattended.
She is telling you something. She needs help.
When was she last seen by her vet?
It could be arthritis pain that hurts her and keeps her awake, and she is telling you she hurts, and needs you to do something.
I can't see that this could be a behavior problem.
Charlotte