[JayG]

maybe this will clear it up

in order for the alarm to arm, all door closed, frunk closed and latched, trunk closed and latched, glove box closed and latched, center console closed and latched and the top up and latched. the center console and glove box do not need to be locked

if you click the remote 1 time, it will lock the car and arm the alarm. The parking lights flash twice, no horn beep

if the top is down, the same, but it will not arm the alarm

If anything above is not latched, 1 click will lock the car, but not arm the alarm and in addition to the double parking light flash, the horn will beep

If you double click, it will lock the car and not arm the alarm. You get double light flash and a horn beep

If the top is down and you have the red clip (or a penny) inserted, it fools the system to think the top is up and latched and will arm the alarm assuming everything is latched.
You can also fool the system by pushing the microswitch in the top latch and hold it there until the windows come up and then turn off the car. You can then remove your finger

All of this except for the red clip/penny/finger is in the manual

Capisce ?

as far as your old dog being deaf, well it sounds like he has has a good life