As I have previously posted, Bon is in her later years, and having problems that can go with that, the arthritis and mobility problems are under control, the Loxicom and Yumove have had a miraculous effect on her mobility, and the haunted look she had has gone, she is still skinny, but maintaining her weight.

The small problem presenting now is the behaviour developing because of the onset dementia, she is scatty as get out, and forgets that she has just been out to go busy, and gets up to go to the door within minutes of going out, she follows the same track around the garden, squats in the same places attempting to pee and poo, usually with no results, although she has the odd accident in the house when I am at work, and on occasion, during the night, she doesn't bark to go out in the night, and from the places where she pees on the rug, it's like she just stands up and goes, the vet has tested her pee, and there is no infection, the assumption being it's behavioural rather than physical...

However, the change in her behaviour is starting to cause the Boerboels to react to her excitable state, in the sense they rush at her, want to sniff her, and this evening when I got in, they both bounced up and down and got in her face barking, obviously I nipped it in the bud and put them in a sit on their beds, let Bon out to go busy, made them stay on their beds when she came in, kept it all calm, and now they are all relaxed and sleeping.

They are separated during the day while I am at work, so there is no chance of any nonsense, and now I am aware of it causing some alarm, I could really do with some advice on what to expect with Bon, and also suggestions on anything I can do to help her going forward, she doesn't seem unhappy in herself, still loves her walks, has a grand appetite and is very lively for an old lady who turns 11 this Friday!

I realise the pack dynamics are a bit off kilter now, and I am vigilant to any body language the Boerboels throw off, but I just want Bon to have as peaceful and 'normal' life as possible as she gets further down the road.

Thanks

Be VERY watchful with the aging dog in a pack.

I had a Norwich that ruled the roost for yrs.

That included. over the yrs a 130 lb GSD x Dane, two Border terriers and a JRT.

When the Norwich got to be blind and deaf in his old age the JRT started jumping him.

I put an end to that but I always had to keep my eye on the JRT till the Norwich passed.

It's not uncommon for the younger pack members in a wolf pack to "eliminate" pack members that no longer produce for the pack.

Bon has, up until now at least, been queen bee and the others pretty much ignored her, but to use a Cesar Millan word, it's like they don't understand her "energy" and I am definitely watching the body language with the younger two now, I'm also careful not to make a big fuss of Bon around them, is that right, or should I be reaffirming her status to the pack?

'Status' is probably the wrong word, but you know what I mean!

I am going about 'business as usual' just being aware and stepping in with a 'no' when I see the tails go up...

 Quote: Bob Scott

Be VERY watchful with the aging dog in a pack.

I had a Norwich that ruled the roost for yrs.

That included. over the yrs a 130 lb GSD x Dane, two Border terriers and a JRT.

When the Norwich got to be blind and deaf in his old age the JRT started jumping him.

I put an end to that but I always had to keep my eye on the JRT till the Norwich passed.

It's not uncommon for the younger pack members in a wolf pack to "eliminate" pack members that no longer produce for the pack.

I AGREE 100% -- There really is no such concept as a "nursing home" or "hospice care" or "bearing another's burden" in the canine world, per se' ... The animal kingdom's version of euthanasia is to dispatch the disabled / handicapped / incapacitated swiftly, which does mercifully preclude any prolonged suffering