She's nearly 11 or so we think. We've had her almost 10 of those years She's always had some interesting traits especially regarding people's feet. But lately we think she's losing her night vision. She gets very agitated in the evening and will attack anyone's feet if they walk within range. She will grab a pant leg or a sock and hold on...And everyone is a victim - even the DH who is undeniably pack leader.It's been getting worse. She doesn't do this during the day just at night. We've tried a spray bottle - which ends the episode but doesn't prevent it. And it can be a problem when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Last night I tried a "thunder shirt" I had bought her for fireworks and it seemed to help some but she will still give you the evil "eye" like she is afraid and no words except "treat" seems to get her in a different frame of mind. So, of course, a month ago in a weak moment I added another rescue - a small male. She's been pretty good with him but today she just flipped out and attacked. She was very clamped on him and he was just trying to get away.No puncture or wounds that I can see (which surprised me) but it was scary. They walk well together and even play most of the time.Now of course, I'm rethinking my decision and wondering whether i should find another home for the little guy. Or should I just see if things improve given more adjustment time?

I have had dogs all of my life, so I've dealt with elderly dogs. I have and will tolerate incontinence, mobility problems, dietary changes, etc. I would not tolerate a dog with unprovoked biting. If everything medical is ruled out and it is deemed a behavior problem-I would not keep an unpredictable, dangerous animal.

Just my experience but we had a Dalmation long time ago, he was a very large male but he got along with our other dogs. At the time we had an old lab/goldie mix, a poodle and a Pom.At age 8 he started with some strange behavior where I was afraid to leave the small dogs alone with him.We took him to the vet and had a full medical, blood work to and he advised we keep them separated as he was a healthy dog.I wasn't satisfied with that answer, something changed in this dog. So off to another vet, highly recommended for another full check up.He found something with his heart, he was put on medication and actually did better for awhile, one Saturday he was awfully aggressive towards the Pom so I crated him and would take him to the vet on Monday.That evening he went outside before bed, when he walked into the living room he looked at me sideways and snarled...I thought oh boy this is not good. He went about 10 feet and dropped dead...it happened to be his 9th birthday too.Frankly I was relieved, we didn't have to make any decisions but I knew that night we may have to.So I'd say a medical workup is in order, I wish you the very best of luck with your old guy.Sher

Ditto the advice about getting a full medical work up.In addition to treatable physical conditions, it's possible that the old girl is developing canine cognitive dysfunction (similar to Alzheimer's disease in people).My 14 yo Brittany started exhibiting some undesirable nighttime symptoms a few months ago. His was mostly restlessness and roaming. A nightly dose of melatonin seems to have solved that problem.

She recently had a doggie checkup and got her shots and two teeth removed.But maybe some more blood work is in order.She's fine during the day... but at night she gets crazy. And she's never been all that crazy about other dogs.She's the DH favorite and simply adores him which makes it hard to figure when she attacks his feet of all people.We're on the road right now, but we'll consult a vet.

It's the dogs vision. Cataracts or just loss of vision. A vet will show you. Take a light at night when outside and shine it towards the dog you will see just how cloudy they may have become.Night time or low light in the house affects their depth perception and many aged dogs have also have significant hearing loss, SO when you walk by 'suddenly' they can't determine instantly what it is and defend themselves. If they KNEW and could SEE it was you and your pant leg they would not lash out. And training has nothing to do with an aging dog going blind.If your aging parent walked into some furniture because of loss of vision would you send them back to school? No, you would help them.The adding of a dog? Well I am on the side on not adding younger dogs prior to when the owner thinks it's getting around the time the old one will die. That seems very cruel to me.I believe that if a dog has given you 10-15+ years of unconditional love no matter what you have gone through in your life struggles, then one should have the time to give back that love 'one on one' as the aging process gets difficult for the dog. Just saying.

need advice on older dog... | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2015
bgum wrote:
Cataracts and possibly hearing loss also.

My Cattle Dog Jack had both, plus a dash of dementia to add to the fun. Otherwise, he was ridiculously healthy. I believe his first year of life as a stray, made him defensive to start with; then the loss of senses and sensibility in his old age made him lash out with his teeth when startled. Both Ed and I were bitten as we tried to steady him on stairs or help him into the car. And since Ben was just a pup, his antics got him nipped more than a few times, too. Finally, between trying to prevent Ben getting chewed on; and needing to keep Jack away from any grandkids - it was time to put him down.

On the other hand, our old Aussie Nick began to exhibit "weirdness" - not aggression, just simply doing strange things; and occasionally looking at us like he had never seen us before? A visit to the vet showed his liver enzymes were off; and some meds and a diet change made the "regular" Nick reappear. Still cranky - but at least he seemed to know who we were...LOL!
bgum
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
Cataracts and possibly hearing loss also.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2015
It's the dogs vision. Cataracts or just loss of vision. A vet will show you.

Take a light at night when outside and shine it towards the dog you will see just how cloudy they may have become.

Night time or low light in the house affects their depth perception and many aged dogs have also have significant hearing loss, SO when you walk by 'suddenly' they can't determine instantly what it is and defend themselves. If they KNEW and could SEE it was you and your pant leg they would not lash out.

And training has nothing to do with an aging dog going blind.
If your aging parent walked into some furniture because of loss of vision would you send them back to school? No, you would help them.

The adding of a dog? Well I am on the side on not adding younger dogs prior to when the owner thinks it's getting around the time the old one will die. That seems very cruel to me.

I believe that if a dog has given you 10-15+ years of unconditional love no matter what you have gone through in your life struggles, then one should have the time to give back that love 'one on one' as the aging process gets difficult for the dog. Just saying.
KampingKris
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
She recently had a doggie checkup and got her shots and two teeth removed.
But maybe some more blood work is in order.

She's fine during the day... but at night she gets crazy. And she's never been all that crazy about other dogs.

She's the DH favorite and simply adores him which makes it hard to figure when she attacks his feet of all people.

We're on the road right now, but we'll consult a vet.
Pawz4me
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
Ditto the advice about getting a full medical work up.

In addition to treatable physical conditions, it's possible that the old girl is developing canine cognitive dysfunction (similar to Alzheimer's disease in people).

My 14 yo Brittany started exhibiting some undesirable nighttime symptoms a few months ago. His was mostly restlessness and roaming. A nightly dose of melatonin seems to have solved that problem.
sher9570
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
Just my experience but we had a Dalmation long time ago, he was a very large male but he got along with our other dogs. At the time we had an old lab/goldie mix, a poodle and a Pom.

At age 8 he started with some strange behavior where I was afraid to leave the small dogs alone with him.

We took him to the vet and had a full medical, blood work to and he advised we keep them separated as he was a healthy dog.

I wasn't satisfied with that answer, something changed in this dog. So off to another vet, highly recommended for another full check up.

He found something with his heart, he was put on medication and actually did better for awhile, one Saturday he was awfully aggressive towards the Pom so I crated him and would take him to the vet on Monday.

That evening he went outside before bed, when he walked into the living room he looked at me sideways and snarled...I thought oh boy this is not good. He went about 10 feet and dropped dead...it happened to be his 9th birthday too.

Frankly I was relieved, we didn't have to make any decisions but I knew that night we may have to.

So I'd say a medical workup is in order, I wish you the very best of luck with your old guy.

Sher
Go_Dogs
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
I have had dogs all of my life, so I've dealt with elderly dogs. I have and will tolerate incontinence, mobility problems, dietary changes, etc. I would not tolerate a dog with unprovoked biting.
If everything medical is ruled out and it is deemed a behavior problem-I would not keep an unpredictable, dangerous animal.

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need advice on older dog...

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