Why does this bother you? If it's the click, click, click, maybe clip her nails.

This sounds like a neurological disorder. Would make sense if the vet said she's started with dementia. It will progress as it does in humans.

Mine is elderly and has different issues that also drive me crazy! It's just a matter of how long you want to deal with it. The main point to keep in mind is, "At what point is her quality of life affected that the issue at hand becomes too debilitating for her, as well as yourself". That's when final arrangements should be made.

There are drugs..........spoken by someone who doesn't even take aspirin very often. Google it. There is really a lot of information out there. Maybe join a pet group on yahoo. I've belonged to several over the years but not so many these days. You would find others who are or have dealt with it.

Yes, mostly it's the noise. We've had her nails trimmed, but that doesn't help. She weighs 60 lbs, and she just makes noise with every step. She has a bit of arthritis in her hips, and she tends to drag her back toes a bit. I really do try to tolerate it as long as I can, but between the noise and the constantly moving body, eventually I want to scream.

Quality of life is definitely a consideration, but she is definitely not 'there' yet. Her best friend just went over the bridge last weekend, but we have a ways to go. I'll look into the medications and the pet groups.

When my elderly terrier did this, it was an early phase in her "dementia progress". She paced, and then after a while of that she got "stuck" in corners--like she could not recognize that she could just turn around or back out, and she would stand there staring into the corner for a long time. They were both relatively brief phases as I recall, maybe three or four months or so, tops.

She was 14 when these symptoms presented. Other than these behaviors, she was in good shape for her age. I would estimate that she lived 1.5 years after these stages at most. It was many years ago so I can't remember exactly how long before her demise they began. She also had a bed wetting phase which the doctor medicated her for and it resolved to the point where she no longer needed those meds.

I'm not sure when the pacing started, but it's been many months. So far, she exhibits no other symptoms. Now that I think about it, the vet did mention medication. But she's on low-dose Prednisone, so everything has to be analyzed against that, and many things aren't compatible. Getting old is not for sissies!!

I feel for you. It's sad to see a beloved pet start failing. My late pup went partially deaf and would also get very confused. Does reassurance help your dog?

I wonder if dogs get RLS -- restless legs syndrome.

Make pup some suede bottomed booties? Does she sleep well or fitfully? Poor pup. Poor you.

Oh yeah, she's also lost a good bit of her hearing. Which in ways is good, because she used to be a Nervous Nellie around noises. Now very little bothers her, including the vacuum cleaner. :)

Initially we thought maybe she was moving because laying (lying? I can never remember) down hurts. But if you're not watching, she'll lie in the same spot for hours.

She seems to sleep fine. And she eats fine. And she still gets up to greet us at the door. She enjoys her nightly 1/2 mile walk where she is allowed off-leash to sniff around. The vet says she is very alert and engaged, very in-the-moment. Hmm, maybe it's just us with the problem. :/

It's interesting that if she is home alone (earlier you stated) or doesn't think you're watching, her behavior isn't so odd. Do you suppose she is trying to tell or -show- you something? Or is trying to please you -- perhaps under the impression you want her to do something?

i've always taught me cats and dogs to "show me." It may sound odd, but I've found that they often DO want to -show- me something. I look, watch, wait and allow them to lead me. Sometimes it's a water dish that needs freshening. Sometimes it's that I -owe- them a treat ;)

On one occasion, a cat was trying to tell me that there was another cat outside and he wanted me to let it in.

Growing up, one of our dogs would lead my father to the door, even though she had recently come back indoors. My father opened the door and our cat came in. This happen quite often. Who knows what those two had worked out.

it seems that your pup -wants- you to notice something.

what could it be?

Was this going on before the loss of her friend? Maybe she is looking for the other dog? Or maybe she used to expend energy w/ the other dog and is now more bored and wants something to do ?

It's so hard when they get older :(

My dog does this too (16.5 yrs) , and only when I'm home and in the same room. She has lost her sight, so I think it's some kind of anxiety. When she was young and had her sight, she was the type of dog who followed me from room to room and had to know what was going on at all times. So now that she can't see, I think it's leftover habits of wanting to follow or engage with us, because she settles down as soon as I leave and all during the night.

Hang in there. They really need our compassion at this stage in their lives.

aok, I have the exact same problem. I have a lab mix and she is also 15. She paces constantly. I know she is near deaf and also has limited vision left. It seems when she wants to sit down it is painful as she takes forever to slowly get to the ground. I hate it. I have meds i give her but she still seems to have these problems.

What is worse is that she pees and poops in the house one to four times a week. It is very stressful as it is always on our brand new hardwoods.

I think they pace for various reasons. In my case I think she is anxious or confused and sometimes bc she needs to be let out. I take her outside at least 10-20 times a day just in case she needs to potty. It is super stressful.

I often wonder if she is happy and am I being selfish in not letting her go. However, she eats a lot and drinks a lot and doesn't need help in walking. So, what to do?

I definitely feel your frustrations. I have them too. I will be reading a book and the pacing nearly drives me up the wall. Especially bc I tend to let take her outside so much just in case.

I know that once she is gone I will long for all of her idiosyncrasies. Having an aging pet is not for the faint of heart.

Hugs to you!

aktillery, it sounds like your girl is living in my house! Ours only has the occasional accident, usually if we leave her alone too long. She never pees in the house .. yet. She also has the trouble getting down to the ground. Sometimes it looks as though she's saying 'ok, this is gonna hurt. 1-2-3- go.' We have her on pain management drugs, but again there are things she can't have because of the Prednisone. She can't have any NSAIDS, which would work better for her arthritis.

We wonder too, if she's happy. But the other night on her walk, she took off after a deer, full out sprint. She didn't go far before she gave up, but she came back smiling. It's not time yet. :)

Try getting booties for her. Maybe they'd help with the noise. Maybe jury-rig some booties from a softer, thick material and Velcro strips. But also want to make sure she doesn't slip, of course.

I'd be afraid of putting booties on her. We have hardwoods and ceramic tile floors, and she already slips and slides once in a while. I'd have to make the bottoms out of flypaper or something. :)

Yes, I thought of that with soft ones, and the actual ones they make, for snow, would prevent the slipping, but I wonder if the material would make them noisier.

I would move her "spot" closer to you. If she is on the floor, use her (lightly) as a footrest. This will comfort her, and keep her still. Use an "ack!" Type noise if she tries to get up, and resettle her.

We create these neurotic behaviors in dogs by not stopping them.

I may try moving her bed. We try to stop her from getting up, but she has lost most of her hearing. By the time I get up she's already in the next room. DH thinks her hearing is selective. "gee, Mom, I'd do what you want, if ONLY I knew what you were saying." Uh-huh. :eyeroll: She has indeed lost a lot, it's obvious. It also makes a fine and dandy excuse. And that's when I feel like I'm disciplining my grandmother. :)

Just a couple thoughts as I have had several dogs get to late teens. Two were very active dogs and smart (border collie) The pacing I attributed to arthritic pain and boredom. They were not able to do their jobs any more due to arthritis and still wanted to be active. So they walked. Couldn't Frisbee, or do agility to the degree before but they could walk. and walk and walk...still doing their "job".

Now that I have reached a new level of my own arthritic issues, I find that if I sit for any length of time, even 20 min, I can hardly stand to get going again. So I just keep going. I can hardly move in am, until meds kick in, which is when I visit GW. But once I get going I rarely stop and sit - just too painful to start up and move again. Think the Tin Man... seriously I take meds but moving helps the most. Just feel better walking around and moving.

Could be dementia but maybe she just wants more short walks outside. My dogs both lost their hearing also and the walking around could be the only way they can "patrol" their area as they cant rely on hearing anymore.

Enjoy your pet while you have her. This too shall pass.

If you live in a cold climate, depending on the breed, take the dog into some freezing cold water, a pond or a lake or something. Really helps with arthritis and other inflammation.

What sort of testing has the doctor done to get to the bottom of this? It could be pain or anxiety, both of which there are treatments for.

It just sound like you're being a bit passive here, and that's not a harsh judgement on my part. I know how hard it is to care for elderly dogs.

It's really, really stressful on many levels.

I'd be working every angle I could to ameliorate the suffering.

Also, take a look at PAWZ for the feet. I used them on our bichon when he got really old and weak, the the wood floors were making him slip.

If you live in a cold climate, depending on the breed, take the dog into
some freezing cold water, a pond or a lake or something. Really helps
with arthritis and other inflammation.

Tibbrix - that is so counter-intuitive that I have to wonder where you heard/discovered this. Certainly water therapy helps, but freezing cold water????

Maybe what tibbrix has in mind is some articles that were published some years ago (human related IIRC) that related to applying ice or cold pack to inflamed joints. (I'm not sure of the duration.

I had a senior working dog with arthritis. The vet gave me some (not sure of spelling) glucosamine chondroitin. I was a bit dismissive of it, thinking it was just one more flaky supplement. I ran out of the GC and after a few days, the dog's mobility diminished. The vet was out of it (I didn't know that it was available, if it was then, at health food stores). After a couple of weeks, I got more Gluc Cond and resumed the dog's medication. The dog's mobility improved noticeably and I was impressed. (Before that supplement, there was a time when the dog just collapsed when we were embarking on a walk -- so sad and distressing for both of us. I don't recall how I ever managed to get pup back to the house -- not a light weight pup.)

Have you tried anything like Glucosamine C.? Analgesics?

Missymoo12, I hear you about keeping going. I hope you're finding ways to get some relief.

Wow, this thread took wings again! Let's see if I can answer.

missymoo - we wonder, too, about the discomfort of being still. But as I said upthread, she stops the pacing when we're not paying attention to her. She was never a particularly active dog, so other than maybe being bored, I'm not sure it's discomfort. Yesterday DH was gone and I was puttering around the house. She landed in one of her favorite spots and was there the entire afternoon.

tibbrix - We live in NC, so the water is really cold right now. I just don't think I could do that. I wouldn't want someone tossing me in a cold lake in February. And she hates water unless DH is in there with her. I don't think he'll go for that. :)

mimi - the vet has done a bunch of range of motion and that type of testing. There haven't been any tests with machines or anything. She doesn't think the dementia is really an issue because of the dog's attentiveness, being in-the-moment when she's there, etc. She said there is still a lot going on upstairs, and there are no other symptoms of dementia. We have her on pain management drugs, which are limited because she is also on Prednisone, which means she can't take NSAIDS. She's also on a supplement and fish oil for arthritis. I will look into the PAWS, that might help some.

starsplitter - we have not used glucosamine/chondroitin for this dog, although we gave to another dog years ago. I'd have to ask and research it, it might not work with the Prednisone. The Pred is for a chronic liver ailment, and is keeping that well controlled. She only get 5mg every other day, so super low dosage, but long term.

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions and words of advice. We've never had a dog live this long, so we're in new territory.

When my aunt passed away, I took her 16 year old, nearly deaf, toy rat terrier. He'd always loved my family, and I'd been medicating him for arthritis, and taking care of his vet trips, so I felt that he would be comfortable with us. He had the pacing issue--had it for at least a year before my aunt passed. In her carpeted home there was no sound, but on my wood floors, I could always tell where he was. :) On the morning that he passed, I knew something was wrong, because I woke up to silence. It might be a combination of arthritis and dementia.

Oh, this brings back a memory that I had almost forgotten about! For several months before her death in Aug., our elderly bulldog paced around every night. Just when we were done with our day, happy to settle down to read or watch TV, she would start. Click click click, grunt, snort, click, click, click...all night. And yes, I think when we went to bed, she stopped. Drove us all crazy! Our vet at the time said it could be some version of dementia since she was showing a couple of other signs as well.

Even though we still have two dogs, the evenings are much quieter now because they don't pace or grunt or snore...

Our beloved beardie panted a lot and I do remember it setting me on edge. Not that I was mad at him, rather, it worried me. I was always anxious about his comfort.

Sueb, your experience makes me realize that I probably shouldn't try to quiet her feet. Even though she stays downstairs at night, and we are upstairs, I will wake up if she starts to "happy dance" to go out. I am a light sleeper and her twinkle toes routine wakes me up.

Mimi, she has gone through a couple of phases of panting. Seems like she'll steam up the windows. They don't know why, but aren't concerned because it stops when she sleeps. It really seems to be tied to the termperature, but panting at 60? Yep. Hardly at all now that it's cooler.

I wonder if animals get restless leg syndrome. I don't see why not. You just have to get up and walk to find some relief.

She sounds exactly like our Weimaraner, aok27502. Did you google dog dementia?There are even videos to watch. Our old guy is still relatively healthy and happy, but definitely a few cards short of a full deck. Even our other dog is getting tired of watching him doing laps around the room. It's sad, but there really isn't much to do.

I have no experience with restless leg, I'll check it out.

I watched some of those videos, and looked at a list of symptoms. She only has one other, maybe. She does tend to walk in circles a bit, but she had Vestibular disease a while back, which made her lean some. Not sure which it is now. Also, when she gets ready to lay down, she'll circle about a dozen times, always in the same direction. I just figured she was getting up the gumption to sit.

Aok, my DH and my first dog (before we had kids) was quite quirky. She paced incessantly during my pregnancies... I swear she knew more about what I was going through than my DH.

A dog sitter recommended this to us:

http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/

This worked well to calm her. We'd also give it to her during anxious times like car rides to the vet, when we had babysitters and house guests etc.