help with GSD, she's even more senile

paso_lover · 06-28-2007, 07:27 AM

I think it's time....

She's been doing so good lately with her anxiety but last night was the straw that broke the camels back. As you know we are re-doing this farm and have spent thounds of dollars we don't have in making this a home and not just a house. Andre said he didn't want to put up any screen doors for fear she would do exactly this. I have done everything I can to make her life comfortable and at ease (meds included) but last night she ripped apart my brand new front door in order to get in. I usually keep them in the house when it's cold out but now the weather has been so hot that they stay out and she's in the barn.....hiding in the feed room as it's dark and I guess safe.

I don't like her in there as she makes herelf out to be alone even though there are other dogs to keep her company but it's me she NEEDS. If I'm walking out she bolts out the door before me so she can be sure to be by my side. When I go back into the barn she bolts back in so she can be with me. When I go in the house she tries to bolt past to get in before me. She can not be away from me for any second and now the door. We woke up to this god awful banging only to find it in peices. Sigh.....what to do??

farmergal · 06-30-2007, 12:42 AM

For starters I see a major problem. You allow her to enter and leave before you. This does not make you the leader of the pack. Yes you are part of her pack. Do you take her on walks? Her problem is fixable but it's going to take time. I can understand your anger and frustration. Separation anxiety is very hard on a dog when they have to destroy a door to get to you. Did you have a thunder storm? My step dad had a border collie that went through the glass window in the door to get inside during a thunder storm.

paso_lover · 07-03-2007, 08:59 AM

I knew that when a dog enters before the person it means that they are above you, so when ever she does that I do make her get out and wait after I have entered first. She wasn't like that before, all my dogs know that when the door opens that they are to sit and wait till I give the ok for them to enter. The night in question was clear. The sky was the first place I looked and it was bright with stars and no sounds of thunder in the distance nor smell in the air of rain. The vet and I have done what we could to help her through this (meds, excersise and retraining) but it hasn't worked. She now won't even stay outside during the day. Unfortunatly this is not my first time dealing with senility in one of my dogs so I know what possibly lies ahead of me.

TxHorseMom · 07-03-2007, 01:07 PM

This is such a sad time in an owners life. It's usually harder on the owner than the dog. (the decision making process) How old is she? Is she giving you any other signals that it may be time? (not wanting to play, not eating or drinking, having several "acccidents" when was previously potty trained?) I am so sorry.

(((HUGS))) from Texas.

DoBeSassy · 07-03-2007, 01:14 PM

I may have missed some other threads so can you guve a quick background. At fisrt I though you were talking about a MIL or something like that. Then I read that it was in the DOGS post.

TxHorseMom · 07-03-2007, 02:20 PM

I believe it's about her dog. A GSD is a German Shepherd Dog.

paso_lover · 07-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxHorseMom

This is such a sad time in an owners life. It's usually harder on the owner than the dog. (the decision making process) How old is she? Is she giving you any other signals that it may be time? (not wanting to play, not eating or drinking, having several "acccidents" when was previously potty trained?) I am so sorry.

(((HUGS))) from Texas.

She's going to be 11 in november (we think since I got her from the pound 10 years ago) and nope no other signs, eats plays and is somewhat agressive with the pyr but that has subsided LOTS. The vet had said in the beginning that she needed more excersise but she has developed arthritis and will suffer for days after the run. She can not handle just a walk as she is very active and wants to go go go all the time.
She is actually becoming depressed from not being aloud to do as much now.

Majolica · 07-05-2007, 10:51 PM

I know that not everyone has the facilities available, but you could try swimming her to give her exercise. I work at a kennel/groomer that has a pool, and a woman who does swims for therapy and exercise. It really makes a big difference for a lot of the dogs, as it does not cause impact injuries, and the dogs get a good workout. They might be sore for a few days, but once they start to build up muscles, they seem to do really well. Personally, I probably wouldn't pay someone, I would just take mine out to the pond and have them chase sticks, but I am a poor college student.

Someday, I plan to have my own pool (since I plan to be rich), and then my dogs will be allowed in it. Of course, since I will be rich, I will also hire someone to clean it.

(Apparently 1 dog = 30 people for pools).

farmergal · 07-06-2007, 01:26 AM

You've been on my mind these past few days. In my very busy life I have been watching my dog whisperer tapes taking notes. Sometimes falling asleep with pen in hand. I wish I had an easy answer for you. I can tell you that as I sit here reading page after page of my notes they don't make sense to me so how can I get you to understand. Guess it's not good to try and do a good deed when so tired.

I'll post some of my notes. Hope it helps.

90% connection between human and dog is the walk. The dog is next to you or behind. Never in front. Start with the proper walk. You don't have to be fisical as much as you are the mental part. Just the fact that you are projecting that energy towards that dog. The simpler you make it the clearer the message is delivered. A walk is not one where the dog is allowed to do what ever it wants. But the walk is a very important activity especially for a dog that lives with other dogs.

No matter how old a dog is they can change. The magic is not the dog, but rather the human changing behavior.

Improving your dogs behavior is like staying on a diet. You only see lasting results if you stick with it for a long time.

They don't listen to a tense pack leader. They listen to a calm assertive leader.

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06-28-2007, 07:27 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,848	help with GSD, she's even more senile I think it's time.... She's been doing so good lately with her anxiety but last night was the straw that broke the camels back. As you know we are re-doing this farm and have spent thounds of dollars we don't have in making this a home and not just a house. Andre said he didn't want to put up any screen doors for fear she would do exactly this. I have done everything I can to make her life comfortable and at ease (meds included) but last night she ripped apart my brand new front door in order to get in. I usually keep them in the house when it's cold out but now the weather has been so hot that they stay out and she's in the barn.....hiding in the feed room as it's dark and I guess safe. I don't like her in there as she makes herelf out to be alone even though there are other dogs to keep her company but it's me she NEEDS. If I'm walking out she bolts out the door before me so she can be sure to be by my side. When I go back into the barn she bolts back in so she can be with me. When I go in the house she tries to bolt past to get in before me. She can not be away from me for any second and now the door. We woke up to this god awful banging only to find it in peices. Sigh.....what to do?? __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

06-30-2007, 12:42 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,926	For starters I see a major problem. You allow her to enter and leave before you. This does not make you the leader of the pack. Yes you are part of her pack. Do you take her on walks? Her problem is fixable but it's going to take time. I can understand your anger and frustration. Separation anxiety is very hard on a dog when they have to destroy a door to get to you. Did you have a thunder storm? My step dad had a border collie that went through the glass window in the door to get inside during a thunder storm. __________________

07-03-2007, 08:59 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,848	I knew that when a dog enters before the person it means that they are above you, so when ever she does that I do make her get out and wait after I have entered first. She wasn't like that before, all my dogs know that when the door opens that they are to sit and wait till I give the ok for them to enter. The night in question was clear. The sky was the first place I looked and it was bright with stars and no sounds of thunder in the distance nor smell in the air of rain. The vet and I have done what we could to help her through this (meds, excersise and retraining) but it hasn't worked. She now won't even stay outside during the day. Unfortunatly this is not my first time dealing with senility in one of my dogs so I know what possibly lies ahead of me. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

07-03-2007, 01:07 PM
TxHorseMom Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,034	This is such a sad time in an owners life. It's usually harder on the owner than the dog. (the decision making process) How old is she? Is she giving you any other signals that it may be time? (not wanting to play, not eating or drinking, having several "acccidents" when was previously potty trained?) I am so sorry. (((HUGS))) from Texas.

07-03-2007, 01:14 PM
DoBeSassy Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 5,206	I may have missed some other threads so can you guve a quick background. At fisrt I though you were talking about a MIL or something like that. Then I read that it was in the DOGS post.

07-03-2007, 02:20 PM
TxHorseMom Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,034	I believe it's about her dog. A GSD is a German Shepherd Dog.

07-05-2007, 10:51 PM
Majolica Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 51	I know that not everyone has the facilities available, but you could try swimming her to give her exercise. I work at a kennel/groomer that has a pool, and a woman who does swims for therapy and exercise. It really makes a big difference for a lot of the dogs, as it does not cause impact injuries, and the dogs get a good workout. They might be sore for a few days, but once they start to build up muscles, they seem to do really well. Personally, I probably wouldn't pay someone, I would just take mine out to the pond and have them chase sticks, but I am a poor college student. Someday, I plan to have my own pool (since I plan to be rich), and then my dogs will be allowed in it. Of course, since I will be rich, I will also hire someone to clean it. (Apparently 1 dog = 30 people for pools).

07-06-2007, 01:26 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,926	You've been on my mind these past few days. In my very busy life I have been watching my dog whisperer tapes taking notes. Sometimes falling asleep with pen in hand. I wish I had an easy answer for you. I can tell you that as I sit here reading page after page of my notes they don't make sense to me so how can I get you to understand. Guess it's not good to try and do a good deed when so tired. I'll post some of my notes. Hope it helps. 90% connection between human and dog is the walk. The dog is next to you or behind. Never in front. Start with the proper walk. You don't have to be fisical as much as you are the mental part. Just the fact that you are projecting that energy towards that dog. The simpler you make it the clearer the message is delivered. A walk is not one where the dog is allowed to do what ever it wants. But the walk is a very important activity especially for a dog that lives with other dogs. No matter how old a dog is they can change. The magic is not the dog, but rather the human changing behavior. Improving your dogs behavior is like staying on a diet. You only see lasting results if you stick with it for a long time. They don't listen to a tense pack leader. They listen to a calm assertive leader. __________________