topic Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS! in Community Chat

WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

RinaRina — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:48:31 GMT

I have a senior dog approx. 15 yrs. old. She follows me everywhere and it's driving me nuts! If I get up to go to the bathroom, there she is! If I go to the kitchen, there she is! If I go to the front door, there she is. Backdoor? There she is! Basement? There she is! Fridge? There she is. Sometimes I trip over her (which is very dangerous for me) or I'll accidentally step on her foot because I don't know she's STALKING me everywhere I go! When I'm getting ready to leave for work, she goes to "her room" (voluntarily) and pouts. (WHY? I ONLY work 2 days a week!).

Sometimes she gets restless and wanders from room to room (basically trying to AVOID the cat). How do I know? Because I can hear her paws click, clack, clacking on the hardwood floors. Geez! What is wrong with her!!

The cat is a new addition -- a year ago. She does dislike the cat .. immensely. Is that the problem? She (dog) recently became like this when I started letting this stray (cat) stay in the house because of the cold weather.

She is walked twice a day for 25 minutes each time. I cook her fresh food 2X a day. She sleeps on my bed and takes up MORE THAN HALF the mattress. OMG! WHAT is the problem!!

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

CamilleP — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:51:58 GMT

Sounds to me like the start of senior cognitive dysfunction, or else she's in pain and trying to tell you about it. Time for a trip to the Vet, ASAP!!!

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

spot555 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:06:44 GMT

I agree about a trip to the vet. At age 15, she may not be feeling quite right, & is trying to let you know, or feels the need to be safe with her mommy. Or maybe she can't hear as well, or see as well. Be patient- she's old and needs her mom!

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

RinaRina — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:08:07 GMT

Okay. Here's what just happened ...

After I typed this message, I went out to the living room to lock the front door. There she is! I lock the door and go to kitchen. There she is! Now I'm back at the computer. There she is ... laying down next to the heat vent.

She LOVES me? Right? ROFL!

@CamilleP: We went to the Vet after Thxgiving. Her blood work was good.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

RinaRina — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:09:55 GMT

Okay. I'll go to the Vet.

Thanks all!

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

Silver Lining — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:20:50 GMT

rina, you're a good mama and she loves you. I agree with what goldenretriever said. Please keep us updated on how she's doing.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

DJP — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:41:40 GMT

Be glad she loves you so much. Please take her to the vet.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

conlt — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 05:08:25 GMT

My Shelties follow me around the house and I love having thm with me. I thought that is what dogs do. I have had many Shelties and they have all done the same thing. I enjoy it.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

MoJoV — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 05:37:11 GMT

On 1/24/2014 CamilleP said:
Sounds to me like the start of senior cognitive dysfunction, or else she's in pain and trying to tell you about it. Time for a trip to the Vet, ASAP!!!

Excellent deduction! It seems to me the poor girl is in pain and having extreme anxiety.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

luvmyteddy4 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 05:44:42 GMT

I can't go anywhere without my dog following me. Most of them did this. When I had 3 dogs it got a little crowded in the bathroom. They think they are going to miss something. Be glad she loves you. Mine is old now and is showing signs of old age and it is very sad because they don't live forever. I am happy she is by my side all the time because I know the alternative.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 05:58:34 GMT

My dog isn't even 2 yrs. old yet and he does this. I don't look at it as a problem, though. I just think he's really attached to me and wants to be with me. We're pretty close and he's quite loyal.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

OnlyShopsOnline — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 10:39:14 GMT

Our 15 year old part Golden is doing similar things, although he can no longer go up and down the steps. It really does test my patience, especially when he wakes me up several times in the morning, for no good reason. But, he's old and I try to remember that. I also just remind myself that he's not going to be with me much longer, and I don't know what I'm going to do without him.

He was much worse two years ago, but our vet determined that some of his issues were caused by arthritic pain, for which he now takes meds. He also has always been a high anxiety dog, and the vet believes he has had some hearing changes that have made him more anxious. So, now he takes a little Xanax in the evening, he's much calmer, and that stops most of the pacing.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

luvdoodles — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:58:08 GMT

This is so familiar to me. We lost our standard poodle in October, she was only 12. She stopped climbing stairs or jumping onto the couch or into the car a few months prior, we would have to lift her. She was a big girl. Then she started the pacing room to room. She was in pain just trying to lay down on the floor. Then she started to loose control of her bladder and bowels even in her sleep. The vet did many tests but nothing came up. He said it was pain in her hips and dementia. We did try a few meds to no avail. After having to remove two couches and two rugs, we made the decision to put her down and the vet agreed. She was always messy and smelly because of the incontinence. She was the best, I still shed tears over her. I hope their is something the vet can do for your baby.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

RinaRina — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 13:43:32 GMT

Okay -- I just did a "test", or rather I made a discovery -- by accident.

While I was reading the board, since a few peeps mentioned dementia and hearing loss, I called my dog (to check her hearing). She was in another part of the house. As soon as I called her, I could hear her claws pitter-pattering on the floors in my direction.

Well! GUESS what happened? As soon as she got to the hallway, she turned around and went the other way! WHY? Because the CAT got to the hallway first and arrived at my feet first. She despises that cat!

I'm not saying the cat is the ONLY issue, but I think it might be part of the issue.

My dog also will not drink from the same water bowl if the cat uses it.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

conlt — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 17:20:44 GMT

On 1/25/2014 rina33 said:
Okay -- I just did a "test", or rather I made a discovery -- by accident.

While I was reading the board, since a few peeps mentioned dementia and hearing loss, I called my dog (to check her hearing). She was in another part of the house. As soon as I called her, I could hear her claws pitter-pattering on the floors in my direction.

Well! GUESS what happened? As soon as she got to the hallway, she turned around and went the other way! WHY? Because the CAT got to the hallway first and arrived at my feet first. She despises that cat!

I'm not saying the cat is the ONLY issue, but I think it might be part of the issue.

My dog also will not drink from the same water bowl if the cat uses it.

She may be anxious about the Cat. I would take her to the Vet. As mentioned she might have arthritic pain but I am guessing now Anxiety due to the Cat.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

spot555 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:31:15 GMT

You're a good dog mom! That was a smart test, and the cat may just scare the poop out of her. Can you get them together and make the time pleasurable? For example, have the favorite treats of both the cat and dog, and give it to them while they're together. Maybe then it'll click something in their brain that togetherness =goodies. It will be a process, but may work in this or another form.

Also try to check your dogs eyesight.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

mousiegirl — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 22:37:40 GMT

That's what dogs do, follow their people, and hog the bed, lol.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

PuppyBreath — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:15:32 GMT

On 1/25/2014 mousiegirl said:
That's what dogs do, follow their people, and hog the bed, lol.

That's right. Exactly what mine does, and she is only 2.

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

Floppo — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:31:15 GMT

Have 5 dogs of varying ages that follow me around too including the bathroom. Have withdrawal symptoms in a public restroom from the absence of paws. I say enjoy their company as they enjoy yours.Not on earth long enough. Oh,and my double bed looks like a "doggy diorama" at night. They're just telling you they love their pack leader....everywhere & every chance they get! )

Re: WHAT is wrong w/ my Dog? Driving me NUTS!

Mama Mia — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:35:05 GMT

She loves her Mommy! Enjoy her while you can.