OT - senior citizen dog issues

[bmccasland]

I'm at a loss, and thought someone out there would have some advice....

I have a 12.5 yr old Australian Shepherd, Nala, that has taken to being an escape artist.

A bit of background:
All her life she has stayed out in the yard when I go somewhere. She was so used to being outside, that when I wanted to leave her in the house it was a wee bit of trouble to keep her from running out the door when I left.
Last fall I had a slightly younger dog die, pretty much of old age.

After Branwen died, Nala started escaping. At first it was only after dark. But lately she's been escaping during the day. I know where she's getting out, and have tried, to no avail to block the path. Today I got a call from a lady 3 blocks away that she had caught Nala out in the street. Nala was at least on the route we usually take when I take her for her evening walk.

Nala is pretty much in good health for an old lady dog. Maybe a bit confused, going deaf, and has cataracts, but otherwise has nothing that concerns her Vet.

So I suppose she'll have to stay in the house when I'm gone, which gets to be an issue for long days or rather days that run into evenings.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[makbike]

Have you talked to your vet or taken Nala in for an exam? Two thoughts come to mine. First, canine alzheimer's. There are some drugs available that help with this. Most likely your vet will require a blood panel first to make sure kidney and liver are functioning at normal levels before prescribing medications.

Second thought, maybe Nala is developing some separation disorder. You might need to speak to an animal behaviorist if this is the problem.

[Tuckervill]

Yes, I'm certain the poor thing is lonely. I don't blame her for being so focused on trying to find you.

I think I'd leave her in the house on those times when it wasn't too long before you're home. If you're going to be out late, can you ask a neighbor to go let her out for a bit and put her back in?

The other thing I would do is make sure your leaving includes some kind of tasty treat or other incredibly interesting thing for her to do in those first few minutes while you're gone. Distract her with something really good. Maybe by the time she's done she'll be calmed down about the separation.

I hope you do find a way to leave her in or close her escape hatch permanently (I bet she can jump over the fence easily, being the breed she is). I'd hate to hear that she got hit by a car on her little escapades.

Karen

[teigyr]

I've only had an old/er cat but he would get lost due to his blindness. Between senility and not being able to see so well, he would get lost in the house. Had he been outside, he might have done the escape trick.

Your dog might be looking for Branwen and is confused. She also might be lonely. Is there any way to escape proof your house? Or (and I realize the challenges in this) is there any way to provide her a friend?

I know how frustrating and scary it must be. My cat, though housebound, would end up in really strange places and there were times it took me a long time to find him.

[surgtech1956]

Could you start leaving her inside, leaving the TV or radio on for her? She's probably looking for her pal when she's getting out. She might actually like being inside after she gets use to it.

I have a 14 year old Lab mix, she is almost deaf(except around the 4th of July when I have to drug her a little because she's so terrified of the noise), has cataracts, and she too has started going out of the yard and strays 3-4 houses away. She's an indoor dog and gets a little confused in the house too. I started leaving the TV on when I leave the house. My vet says she's in good health, just old.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

[Zen]

Better to leave her in the house and know she'll be there when you get back.
Dog-proof as much as possible; lay some pee-pee papers down for her, maybe get her a Kong with treats inside, leave the radio on.

As for her trying to rush the door,well, you know you gotta be the alpha dog in the pack.

Maybe a pet-sitting service that can pop in, take her for a quick walk and a scratch behind the ears?