questions about senior weiners, health, eyesight...etc

Leslie · November 04, 2011, 09:45:10 AM

Well, Barb, it only sounds hard to teach a old dog new tricks. In the last year of her life or so, I taught Loki "wait" and she got it pretty fast. I put down the supper bowl and she had to wait for the okay. Amazin' what food will do. But yeah, your bunch is a pack, and that's trickier. We're all here for ya and the Fab Fiveys!

David C. · November 04, 2011, 05:02:43 PM

Wow...Brandy is 15. Where does time go? I know Patty's Willy and Alex will be 14 next spring.

Brandy sounds pretty much like Max in his later days. Sometimes Max would walk under a chair and just get stuck. Max was never ornery, but didn't have much patience for Jessica, whenever Jessica actually noticed him. One time he was heading out on our deck to go potty and a squirrel was coming at him head-on in the opposite direction. Both passed each other like two cars on a country road, neither one paying much attention to the other. That was when I truly knew that Max was "old".

Barb · November 07, 2011, 09:04:35 AM

Quote from: David C. on November 04, 2011, 05:02:43 PM
Wow...Brandy is 15. Where does time go? I know Patty's Willy and Alex will be 14 next spring.

Brandy sounds pretty much like Max in his later days. Sometimes Max would walk under a chair and just get stuck. Max was never ornery, but didn't have much patience for Jessica, whenever Jessica actually noticed him. One time he was heading out on our deck to go potty and a squirrel was coming at him head-on in the opposite direction. Both passed each other like two cars on a country road, neither one paying much attention to the other. That was when I truly knew that Max was "old".

I know David - time has flown by - she will be 16 in March, and has been with me a couple weeks over 10 years (bad mommy for not announcing her Gotcha Day). We got the Anipryl, and are 2 days in...and I know it will take weeks to kick in. I hate seeing her so restless. I have a critter cam, and this morning, she has been pacing her pen for the last hour. She has to be exhausted..... breaks my heart.....

Marcia from MI · November 07, 2011, 09:42:26 AM

Quote from: Barb on November 07, 2011, 09:04:35 AM
I know David - time has flown by - she will be 16 in March, and has been with me a couple weeks over 10 years (bad mommy for not announcing her Gotcha Day). We got the Anipryl, and are 2 days in...and I know it will take weeks to kick in. I hate seeing her so restless. I have a critter cam, and this morning, she has been pacing her pen for the last hour. She has to be exhausted..... breaks my heart.....

At least with her in her pen she won't get into something that might hurt her. I dreaded the nights most as my guys seemed to become more active then and no one got any sleep.

Barb · November 07, 2011, 10:45:07 AM

Quote from: Marcia from MI on November 07, 2011, 09:42:26 AM
At least with her in her pen she won't get into something that might hurt her. I dreaded the nights most as my guys seemed to become more active then and no one got any sleep.

You are so totally right - I am so glad I started penning her, and she is right below the camera. Knock on wood....nighttimes are good - she sleeps through the night.

Delia and girls · November 07, 2011, 02:48:21 PM

Quote from: Barb on November 03, 2011, 08:01:06 AM
If you are talkin' to me about better behaved... :rolleyes: We are dealing with pack order with the Fab Fivey's.....Toby and Rudy. So actually some professional training/obedience is now coming into the picture for Toby. He is a hard headed boy, but very smart and I think he is the true alpha...but Rudy has been here much longer - so I am the one that needs to be trained.... to recognize their pack order...and still have ME be the ultimate.

We went through the alpha dog problem when we added Cyrus. Gretchen did not want to give that position up. She picked and picked at him. He finally got a belly full and lit into her, guns a-blazing! Luckily, I had access to a very good professional dog trainer. Since Cyrus' behavior after their incident was to just be cool as a cucumber, the trainer said he probably got his point across and put it behind him. She told us to not let them on the bed - that, especially for little dogs, the bed is very empowering. Only let them on the sofa after being invited by us. Make them at least sit for treats and food. Basically, remind them that we are over both of them. We were lucky that that incident resulted in Gretchen giving up the alpha position so there were no more power struggles. Gretchen seems to be happier and Cyrus is a much better/natural leader. It was like Gretch was so out of control internally, that she seemed to have the need to keep everything in her control - it was like she kept little chicks around her and if one strayed, she'd run and get it and was constantly watching that no one strayed. Cyrus, on the other hand, is laid back - his little chicks can wander around. He knows if there's trouble, he'll hear about it and jump into action then. He also knows those little chicks will come back to him. It's been about a year and we now let them on the sofa as they want. The bed ... Gretch has her bed and Cyrus has his. We all watch TV together on the bed but when the TV goes off, Gretch and Cyrus go to their beds. Elli sleeps with us. The trainer said we could either include her in the training or not - that she was like middle management - talks a lot but no one listens!!! We did not include her.

Sorry to hear about BranBran. I hope you find something that will make her comfortable.

Dee Dee and Hallie · November 07, 2011, 03:58:05 PM

I love how you describe things, Delia! That fits them perfectly! LOL poor Elli, talks a lot but no one listens...
I think I'd be more like Gretchen, I never let my chick wander and am always running over to gather her up!

Barb · November 07, 2011, 04:25:39 PM

Delia - thanks so much for the info !!! I talked to my vet about a behaviorist and she said the first thing one would want to be assured of is that physically all was ok. So Sat, I took Toby and he got blood work done and and evaluation. Since I have had him, when he runs, he lifts up his back right leg. I had them look at it and x-ray and the vet indicated that there was no injury, but the cartlidge or whatever in the hip was not as it should be. When she examined him Sat, she said she felt bone to bone rubbing on that hip. So he is on a low dose of Rimadyl, and I am watching for signs of pain.

Of course, up until now, he really has shown no pain, but sometimes they are so stoic about it. My vet thinks that part of his agressive behavior towards Rudy may be related to that. The incidents have been in small areas, and maybe Rudy bumped him or something.... I really don't know.

I have changed many things on how we do things - doing best to keep the boys apart, and training, training, training with Toby. Bad Bad Mom never really worked with Rudy and Brandy as far as the things you SHOULD do.... but I am attempting with Rudy now. His bloodwork came back fine, so I will work with him and watch how he does with his leg, and continue to figure out ways for all to live in harmony. I really am afraid to let them go at it - as Toby gets very vicious very quickly and as of yet, he has not harmed Rudy too bad (one over the eye scratch, and sore ears) - but I have always intervened.

Anyhoo - thanks all for advice for ALL my kids !!!!! I am just praying the meds kick in quickly for Brandy - I just hate to see her pacing so much - she was always a snuggle bug and slept the day away.......