Suggestions for older dog on laminate flooring
 

Hi all. I have 2 issues that I am looking for some advice on. Hopefully you don't mind if I combine them in to one thread.

The first problem is I have an older Yorkie who is having a really really hard time getting around as easily any more. In particular it is hard on her because I have laminate wood flooring in the house and she slips and slides and has a hard time with her footing at times. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how to help this? I have read before about these pads you can buy for dog paws, but she is always licking her paws. I know those would not last 2 seconds on her feet. Anyone know of any other ways to help with this? I feel so bad because she has such a hard time and it has to make her arthritis worse.

The second problem I have is my younger Yorkie bit my older Yorkie's ear. She is a very jealous dog and I have had a lot of trouble breaking her of being aggressive toward the older dog. Getting her spayed helped some, but she still has these moments where she just gets so jealous and jumps her. To the point now that I am hard pressed what to do at times as sometimes she is just fine with her and then out of nowhere will jump on her. I have separated then when that happens and crated the younger one, but it does not seem to be abating. :( I have actually considered asking the vet for medicine for the younger one. Anyway I digress, she recently bit the older ones ear. She did not draw blood, but now the ear is drooping. Is there anything I can do for it, such as taping it to help it to stand back up fully?

As for your older yorkie, I would suggest getting runners and area rugs to help her with skidding around. My MIL bought a bunch of low pile runners for her older sheltie and he did well with those when he got older.

I would try to keep your girls separated as much as possible... It sounds like your younger female is jealous. How long have they lived together?

My older yorkie is 14. I have had her since a puppy. The youngest I also got as a puppy. She is now 3. My older dog was always an independent dog. The younger one, as loving as she is, was always the more timid dog. Not so much with people, just timid around things as strange as that sounds. Even now, she is timid going out in to my yard and she is 3! My parents live in the country. She goes all over out there, but in my yard in the city she acts like every leaf and limb is out to get her. LOL Took her to numerous dog training classes and she got a little better, but still what I would call a nervous temperament. Never had any issues with the older one when she first came home (although they never played together a lot as she annoyed the older one). She deferred to the older one. Then right before the younger one turned 2 it was like a switch was flipped and she became more aggressive with the older one. My fault, because I babied her more (due to her timidness) and I think it made her see herself as the top dog. I also think because the older one has become more feeble in her older age. Can't see or hear as well, can't really fight back. For the most part they get a long but then she would just start attacking her if I paid any attention to the older one or if she thought the older one was invading her space. To the point I have to pry the younger one off. I have to hold her nose to get her to let go, that is how much she refuses to back off. She would latch on to her ear and not let go! I did have her spayed at the recommendation of people on this board. I thought it had solved it completely for awhile, but she still occasionally does this. Like I said, I have even thought of asking the vet about whether she needs something to calm her. She is so weird about certain things. Hides from me every morning when I am leaving, little objects scare her. Hard to housebreak, etc. I lover her to death but it was hard adjusting to her personality in relation to the older one who was always so outgoing and easy to train in everything. Strangely the younger one is more the cuddling and loving of the 2. Again, I think me doing that has made her more jealous when I do love on the more independent older dog. *sigh* Makes me doubt I will ever be able to add any new addition in the future, that is for sure.

I agree, runners are the ticket:thumbup: You can get them at Walmart for cheap.

Even on carpet when they get older and sick they have trouble walking and slipping. Along with our yorkies we had Tina, who we lost last June a year ago and she just could not stand up except if I took her outside for a few minutes. I had a dog play pen, she chewed through so we bought a regular baby playpen to keep her in and give her plenty of room when I could not watch her constantly. That way the other dogs did not bother her. Hope this helps. Its so hard when they get old and I miss that little so much. She was a toy schnauzer , just about the size of my yorkies. Good luck with your baby and the rugs and runners may really help her, hope so.

Thank you all for the advice. I will get me some runners! I also had someone suggest to me some of the booties you velcro on. I don't imagine those will last long on her though. She would have them off in no time.

You could also get her some dog boots/shoes that have traction. We have a member here "AllDogBoots" who sells allll kinds of doggie boots. I'm sure she'd have a great suggestion for you. Perhaps PM her?

I agree with Wylie's Mom, :thumbup:
I've purchased shoes and boots from Karen, (AllDogBoots) for Yazmin and Karen's wonderful to work with also.
I've seen videos of elderly dogs who were struggling to walk on hardwood floors until they had their boots or shoes on!
It's so heart warming to see the dog not just walking, but being able to run again! :)

Dog Boots | Dog Shoes & Dog Booties

Hi, you should use some carpet so that your Yorkie should move freely without slipping and also try to keep both Yorkie away from each other.

Hi this post is from July 2013.

Welcome to Yorkie Talk! :) You can find the dates of the threads in the upper left hand corner of the posts. We all have at times responded to old threads...don't let it discourage you! Stick around and enjoy the forum! :)

Is it just you your youngest attack when you are around both. Is foof involved? Mine does it over any type of food theirs or mine. So if im snacking im having to keep him in another room till its gone. I know its hard if its you but looks like one dog at a time out or in your arms. If they are both use to being out all the time. Maybe find a way to put a barrier around you and the elder dog.the baby can see you but can not get to you like xpen. Or just put a cage beside you where the puppy is close. Even on couch if its small.(i have one all wire not enclosed), i could sit it on couch easy. Or by my chair. Where you could rub the baby while having senior on your lap. Your senior dont need this stress right now. Rugs are great for slipping.

Welcome to YT. :) This is an old thread. You can see the dates of the threads in the upper left corner of the post.

I keep the hair between the pads trimmed. It helps on hardwood.

I realize this is an old thread but I was wondering if Mushers Secret would work or just make it worse?