Managing Senior Dogs

When I wrote my last update on my senior schnauzer Ajax, I thought the next post would be the sad one. Truly, at the time I didn’t think things could be managed any better. Still, I made some changes and waited to see how things went in the month of August…and was shocked at how well she has been doing! In this post, we will talk about managing senior dogs and some things you might try to make them comfortable and help settle them down.

Managing Senior Dogs- Behavioral Changes

One of the hardest parts about having a senior dog are the changes in behavior that many of them experience. It feels like one minute your dog is normal (acting as they have their entire adult life) and the next they are a different animal.

Suddenly they might wake up grouchy, or snap at you when you disturb them. They don’t have the patience with other animals that they use to have. You might see signs of dementia, where your dog walks up to a wall and stares at it for hours or wanders around in circles. Especially at night, managing senior dogs can be really stressful on the whole family.

Some of these changes could be related to pain, so it is important to have a vet evaluate your pooch. Arthritis, indigestion and constipation (and other gastric conditions) are all common problems in senior pups…and they are very treatable! Hearing and sight loss can explain why a senior dog is suddenly acting strange. Many seniors are more susceptible to urinary tract infections, so have that looked into if your dog is having frequent accidents in the house.

Once you have seen the Vet and started any recommended medications or supplements, then it is time to look at your household routine. What can you do to accommodate your dog’s new normal?

Don’t be afraid to make changes

My biggest problem with Ajax was the alteration in her sleeping patterns. Up until last spring, Ajax always slept on the bed with us. In fact, she was a champion sleeper! If Suckerfish slept in on the weekend, Ajax would be right beside him. 12 hours, 15 hours, it didn’t matter.

This all changed abruptly last spring. Suddenly Ajax refused to sleep on the bed. Ok, we made her a nice bed on the floor. It didn’t work, though. She would sleep for a few hours, and then start wandering around at 3am. She would stumble over things, try to climb the golden retriever, bash into the door and generally leave me unable to sleep at all. Also, she started having accidents in the bedroom. There is nothing like getting up in the middle of the night to use the ladies room and stepping in poo!

I needed a break; all these sleepless nights and early mornings were killing me. So we tried having her sleep in the kitchen, gated in for her security. I felt so guilty! We were only going to do it on the weekends. The rest of the week I would just get up with her.

It worked!

Having her sleep in the kitchen worked! It worked amazingly well, in fact. The first few nights I got up to check on her, and there she was, sound asleep. Sure, some mornings we wake up to a mess on the floor. But mopping linoleum is easier than shampooing a carpet. No more stepping in poo in the middle of the night!

I thought she would be distressed at the change…but it was all in MY head. I realized I was the one distressed at the change. I wanted her in the bedroom. She is happy in the kitchen. I’m sure she still wanders around at times, but when I check on her she is always sound asleep.

Advice for making changes

Start with a list of the problems. For Ajax, it was difficult to wake her up without startling her. She has never been an aggressive dog, but is now very intolerant of being handled and tries to bite when we groom her. She has more frequent accidents in the house. And the big one- the not sleeping at night.

Once you have your list, you can start working on the solutions!

My Solutions for Ajax

For Ajax, we started waking her up differently. I find that if I gently pet her on her rear (away from the teeth if she tries to nip), I can slowly wake her up without any drama.

We bought a muzzle we can use if we need to do any grooming. We haven’t had to use it often, but it’s there if we need it. I also move slowly with her if I have to handle her. I find that if I go very slowly, I can usually accomplish what I need to without upsetting her. It takes me three times as long to do a nail trim, but I’d rather do it slowly than rush through it and have her break out the teeth!

We pay close attention to her and take her outside more frequently than we use to. When we see her staring to sniff around, we just get her outside. This has dramatically reduced the accidents inside.

If your senior dog is also suffering from a canine version of “sundowners syndrome” you might want to try changing your sleeping arrangements. A kitchen, a bathroom, even a heated garage or basement might be a better option than just toughing it out in the bedroom. Don’t get caught up in the “but they have always slept with us” loop.

A New Normal

Instead of thinking of these behavioral changes as a phase, think of them as the new normal and adapt accordingly. My goal as a Dog Mom is to give Ajax the best quality of life possible for as long as I can. Her dementia means I can’t just treat her as I always have without creating more problems.

One additional step I have had to take actually involves another of my dogs. I love my Crazy Bug, but the JRT in her just brings with it a bit of mischief. More than mischief…sometimes she is a downright bully. This wasn’t as much of a problem when the other dogs could insist she respect their space (and food).  But a few weeks ago Crazy Bug tried to eat Ajax’s food, and went into full attack mode! Poor Ajax!

Luckily the wounds were minor and all on Crazy Bug’s side. It brought home to me that we needed to make some changes around feeding the Tribe. We always feed them in their crates with the doors open. Crazy Bug usually finishes first and then checks out what the others are doing. She has never attacked any of the other dogs before, so I didn’t expect her to attack Ajax.

Now we know better. Crazy Bug is securely locked in her crate during meal time and I take her straight outside after. This way Ajax can take her time eating and we don’t have to worry about the little bully starting fights. We are also working with Crazy Bug to reinforce some of her training, and that has helped as well.

Quality, not Quantity

I have no idea how much longer we are going to have our little schnauzer in our lives. I do regular evaluations of how things are going, always aware that things can change in a heartbeat. So far, we have been able to adapt to her new needs without having to take unreasonable steps, or having her sacrifice her quality of life.

Ajax seems content with her new lifestyle, and I still see a spark of her old personality pop out several times a day. Since she can’t hear very well, I can’t call her to me any longer. But she has learned a signal! If I reach out and tap her, she will follow me. In fact, when I do this she bounces around behind me in excitement. Ok, sometimes I have to steer her with my feet to direct her to the door. But we are learning a new way to communicate, and it feels good!

Tips for Managing Senior Dogs

• Arrange a veterinary visit to be sure any medical needs are being met. Talk to your vet about the changes you have noticed in your dog.
• Start joint supplements (if you are not already using them) and be sure your dog is getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
• Give your dog more opportunities to go to the bathroom. Just like humans, older dogs may not be able to “hold it” as long as they use to.
• Feed a high quality diet designed for senior dogs. Many dogs need a diet lower in protein and higher in fiber as they age.
• For nighttime behavior problems, you can try melatonin. This supplement can help regulate sleeping patterns. Talk to your vet about the appropriate dose to use.
• Create a special place for your senior at night where they are comfortable and secure. If they are suffering from sundowners syndrome, try leaving the lights on for them.
• If your nights are still disrupted, you might want to try a calming supplement like Zylkene. If the problem persists, then a prescription anti-anxiety medication might be needed.
• If all these changes fail to help, and your pet’s behavior is having a negative impact on your family, consider everyone’s quality of life. Read more about when it is time to consider euthanasia here.

What changes have you made to make managing senior dogs easier on your household? Share your tips in the comments!