Question:
15 year old American Cocker Spaniel, deaf and arthritic has taken to barking hysterically whenever our granddaughter visits. Is there anything that can be done to calm him down. I try to keep him away from her but that sometimes makes him worse and I am afraid he is going to have a stroke.

Answer:
Oh dear!

Well I'd be careful on a serious note the dog could end up nipping/biting at the girl!

The dog may feel intimidated because something is out of sorts with the g/d in the house.

Has this been a recent behaviour? Was there a situation that happened between these two?

Cockers unfortunately have had a bad reputation for nipping at kids particularly when they get old and grumpy.

Answer:
What about crating the dog while the child is there or put the poor pup in the bedroom so they don't get upset?

Answer: