cavmad Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Can someone provide me with advice as to what to do with my 12 year old cavalier? He is driving us all absolutely nuts. He has developed this behaviour where he goes outside and stands there and barks at nothing. We have to go outside and bring him in. If we lock him in the house with us, he scratches on the glass door to get out. We let him out and he does it again. He does this multiple times during the day. There is literally nothing for him to bark at. We are all going nuts. Our neighbours haven't said anything but it must be driving them nuts too. He is predominantly an inside dog but he just does this stupid barking thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 It sounds like a new behaviour for him? At 12 I would start with a vet visit. He could have canine old age dementia, which the vet can help with. Or he could have failing hearing or eyesight. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavmad Posted January 24, 2018 Author Share Posted January 24, 2018 Just now, Diva said: It sounds like a new behaviour for him? At 12 I would start with a vet visit. He could have canine old age dementia, which the vet can help with. Or he could have failing hearing or eyesight. Thanks for the reply. I thought eyes and ears too so I took him to the vet. The vet gave him a total clean bill of health although dementia wasn't discussed. Will look into it further. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Treatment is available for canine cognitive dysfunction so if your vet is unaware - see someone who is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 4 hours ago, Papillon Kisses said: Treatment is available for canine cognitive dysfunction so if your vet is unaware - see someone who is. I second this. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Yes a change in personality is a big clue for CCD. I'd also insist a full blood panel is done, liver failure can cause confusion. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemappelle Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 I think this is a Cav thing! My old girl started that when her companion dog passed away (she was also 12 at the time). It also drove me nuts. After a few months I decided to get a pup and that seems to have cured her. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PANDI-GIRL Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 I think dogs like & understand a dog friend & feel comforted by them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavmad Posted February 5, 2018 Author Share Posted February 5, 2018 On 1/26/2018 at 10:25 AM, jemappelle said: I think this is a Cav thing! My old girl started that when her companion dog passed away (she was also 12 at the time). It also drove me nuts. After a few months I decided to get a pup and that seems to have cured her. Its is driving us berserk. We have resorted to keeping him inside and going out with him when he needs to go out. As much as I would love another dog, we have decided not to get anymore dogs so unfortunately its not an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 @cavmad what has your vet said ( or another vet who is better suited to dealing with geriatric dogs? ) ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I would find another vet .At 12 the dog will be having eye sight changes ,deafness certainly starts to creep in and the dog can no longer Rely on all senses to help. Dementia certainly happens . Remember whilst it driving you nuts it’s no joy for the dog either especially when owners get frustrated ,the dog doesn’t understand why your all annoyed at it . Just like a human with the same issues ,no fun for them and takes a special to deal with family members affected . Instead of going out and just bringing it in ,redirect the dog,give the dog confidence . My old boy started at 13 to bark early morning did it annoy yes but we New it wasn’t his fault,he wasn’t doing it deliberate,it was a legit issue for him and being annoyed would have made my beautiful old boy upset ,the changes where hard for him . His eye sight was changing and it took him time to adjust ,when he barked we got up,made him move and took him straight to bed . We also embraced his barking and learnt the tones which alerted us to any issues 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 While you're getting his health checked, you could try out some self entertaining puzzle games to keep him distracted and reduce his barking? things like a kong stuffed with dinner, a snuffle mat (personally I just scatter kibble through grass for a similar effect aka a kibble trail) http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/snuffle-mat-mayhem.html bonus, recent research suggests that puzzle games help old dogs stay keen so if his cognitive abilities are failing, the puzzle games and teaching him a new trick might help him out and more time to enjoy the golden years with him https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/dog-cognitive-brain-games-touchscreen-lab-video-spd/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 On 1/25/2018 at 10:02 AM, cavmad said: Thanks for the reply. I thought eyes and ears too so I took him to the vet. The vet gave him a total clean bill of health although dementia wasn't discussed. Will look into it further. I am really surprised at this. Surely it is something that should have been brought up at the consult? Tamar occasionally does this. She stands on the back steps and, because of the lie of the land, this is quite high and overlooks neighbours on all sides. I am sure she is talking to the neighbourhood and letting them know she is there. Despite being 14, she doesn’t do it obsessively and I am sure she is just enjoying herself. (BTW - I don’t let it go on for long because I AM aware, very aware, of the rights of my neighbours.) This is not what is happening with your fellow, though cavmad, and I hope you can get to the bottom of it. Some dogs have barks which just seem to split your skull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 @cavmad Dame Danny's darling has a houseful of geriatric dogs ... she certainly is one with loads of experience in what they can be like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 1 hour ago, persephone said: @cavmad Dame Danny's darling has a houseful of geriatric dogs ... she certainly is one with loads of experience in what they can be like And one geriatric human being I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this, persephone. Thank you for your recommendation . However, I have to be honest and clear: I have not had any first hand experience with dementia or CCD; my many many oldies have had only medical issues and then extreme old age when bodies start to fail big time. I think I and the dogs who have been part of my life have been lucky in this respect. I know from my readings here and on other platforms that looking after mentally challenged dogs can be very difficult and it can be extremely difficult to ascertain whether the dogs are suffering or not. That said, I do have the occasional experience of seeing a dog/s just standing and staring into the distance, or just sitting there looking into space. But then, I do that too . One of the worst experiences I had was several years ago when I looked after a little dog for another DOLer. I had been advised of this little dog’s problems, but it was clear to me after just a few hours of this poor little dog being here that she was brain damaged and suffering. It was heart breaking and terrifying. But that isn’t what this thread is about. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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