Wendy Lefebvre Webboard User Reg: 12-08-2005
Posts: 1271
Loc: Stoney Creek , Ontario, Canada
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I would vote for the hearing thing too.
My other dog started to not respond to commands when he got older and i realized it was because he couldn't hear me very well anymore if he was a distance away.
So i changed it up...if he was too far away, i would whistle (not a lip whistle, if you can't use your fingers to whistle i would suggest purchasing one) and he learned quite quickly that when he heard that whistle, he had to look in my direction, then i would clap my hands or run backwards any movement just to get his attention and coming back my way.
and i cut him alot of slack in his older years. I think that after awhile he just "played" deaf a few times knowing that i wouldn't correct him if i thought he just couldn't hear me (lol). But enjoy him in his golden years, and let him enjoy them a little more. Im not saying let him run wild...but remember he's gettin' up there and probably sometimes the mistakes are very much un-intentional on his part.
You know your dog the best, so YOU will be the one to know if he's just blowing you off. I just hate it when strangers try to tell me how to handle my dog....They don't know me or my dog. Unless it's Michael Ellis (or Ed or Cindy) telling me something, I would blow them off
An older dog deserves the benefit of the doubt, I think. He's earned it by giving you 10.5 good hassle free years.
If it's a hearing thing, it's managable. You've been given some great ideas on dealing with that. If it's a cognitive thing, corrections certainly won't do anything but confuse the poor ol' guy more.
Cut him some slack when you need to. As long as he gives you his best, you should do the same for him.
Give him lots of love, and enjoy the "twilight" years.
Could just be hearing but you'll know it's dementia if...(with my own dogs this is how it seems to go) in the next months you notice other 'dementia' signs. I have had dogs with varying degrees. One poodle just would get lost or wander a lot in the house...find him sitting staring into a corner. He also had vision and hearing loss. I have a BC right now that barks at night, wanders and gets lost in the house....a real trick in our tiny house! She is in such a routine that she at least makes business trips without getting lost in the yard. Honestly I expect that next though. I am just thankful that so far no one has gotten incontinent. Getting old sucks.
Even Dementia is managable. I had an old Poodle X named Ug. We went through about 2 years of dementia with her. She too would get lost in the house, stare into a corner and bark... she would be up all night and sleep all day. My vet said that they get their days and nights mixed up. I think that was really the first sign we saw in Ug.
Patience and understanding are important when dealing with a senior dog with dementia. Ug was about 16 when she started showing signs, and I had to put her down at 18 because she just couldn't walk anymore. Addled as she was, she was a tough old bird.
Honestly though, Sheila, I don't think it's dementia. I think it's a hearing issue... loss of hearing is much more common in dogs over 10.
There is a drug called anipryl that is claimed to be beneficial for elder dogs with cognitive dysfunction. I have never used it and know very little about it as far as true testimonials. I've always let mine age as they will and work around the changes.
Thanks so much for the support. I really didn't give the guy too much credence but then I thought maybe if I let some stuff slide it will have Thor questioning me.....he has a history of periodically testing the lay of the land. Though over the past few years it hasn't been a priority with him.
Wonderful suggestions except the ice cream one. Really, what self-respecting Alpha bitch would ever share her ice cream?
There is a drug called anipryl that is claimed to be beneficial for elder dogs with cognitive dysfunction.
I have him on a supplement Senilife which seems to agree with him. He has been more engaged since taking it; but he has also recovered from cancer surgery and a whole slew of complications due to the cancer so I'm not sure if the improvement is based on the supplement or returned health. Either way he just had a check up and got a clean bill of health with no signs of cancer so all is good on that end of things.
So happy to hear that Thor has a clean bill of health, and have been so pleased by the responses to your inquiries. I'm glad to see how much people honor their older dogs.
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Re: Leadership and a Senior Dog
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