The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsUpdate on the new dog:
She is settling in slowly. I think she is a cross bt a greyhound and a Golden Retriever, if you can imagine such a thing. She's gorgeous, but also very, very old. (14years)
She's still trying to figure things out, and spends her time pacing back and forth in the house. She's secure enough to lie doan and take a nap when she's tired.
There's some occasional minor growling going on. I stop a lot of it by chiding the two dogs I already had. It's the little Spitz who is half the size who causes most of the trouble. If it looks to be escalating (the new dog lifting her lip ) I put her into the crate so all the dogs have a time out.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Certainly in your case it could be due to nervousness associated with a new home. I had an old dog that started pacing around a lot and it was because it was painful for her to lay down so she would only do so when she was completely exhausted.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)out from under her is she is not sure of her footing. It doesn't seem painful - just weak. I know she passed up her bed to lie down on the wood floor yesterday. I expect to take her to the vet soon because she doesn't have any tags and probably should get her rabies vaccination.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Old dogs often have liver and/or kidney problems which can be treated by either diet or medicine. I had an old dog that often preferred to lay down on a hard floor for whatever reason even though she did have joint pain.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)if you do suspect she's in pain.
I give my old girl a daily joint supplement since she has hip dysplasia to try to keep her old bones lubricated but sometimes if she's played too hard, she gets a baby aspirin in the evening.
You are wonderful for taking this old girl in!
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)and/or looking for her former owner( ). As I said, she seems to be settling in and eating better and taking treats. I have some with glucosmine in them and the others are salmon bits, so she's getting the OTC supplements.
avebury
(10,952 posts)when I put her on Buffalo dog food for Sr Dogs (because it had glucosamine and chondroitin that she seemed to get around a lot better. I know that Buffalo brand dog food is expensive and there are other brands that have glucosamine and chondroitin in some of their dog food. I eventually switch to Authority (Petsmart's brand) and she did just as well.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)hound dog and my husband both seem to get around better when they take it.
avebury
(10,952 posts)she definitely seemed to get around a lot better. Not everyone realizes that it is not an overnight cure but something the dog needs to be on for a while to see its impact.