Living With Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: What My Dog Logan Taught Me About Aging, Anxiety, and Compassion
As a trainer, I spend a lot of time educating others about canine behaviour, anxiety, and emotional well-being. But nothing has deepened my understanding of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) more than living with it day to day with my own dog.
Logan is a 13-year-old mixed breed, and he has been my constant companion for years. Like many senior dogs, the changes that we are seeing with Logan aren't happening all at once. They creep in quietly as small changes that are easy to dismiss at first.
When the nights changed: Pacing and "Sundowning".
One of the first signs that something wasn’t right was Logan’s behaviour at night.
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He began to pace the house after it got dark (which in the winter months was at around 4pm), moving restlessly from room to room, seemingly unable to settle.
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Sometimes he will stand for long periods and stare at us, or even just into an empty room.
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Logan had always been a vocal dog, using barking as a way to communicate his needs, whether he wanted water, food, or to go outside. Over time, however, this behaviour has begun to change. His barking has increased in frequency, but it often seemed purposeless, as though he no longer understands what he was trying to ask for.
WHAT IS SUNDOWNING?
This pattern of behaviour is often referred to as “sundowning”, a phenomenon seen in both humans and dogs with cognitive decline where symptoms worsen in the evening or night time hours. Just like in humans with dementia, the reduction in light, increased fatigue, and changes in circadian rhythm can amplify confusion and anxiety.
For Logan, night time no longer feels safe or predictable.
As Logans guardian, it was clear that this is not disobedience, attention-seeking, or restlessness. It is disorientation and distress.
As a result of Logans night time behaviour, he now sleeps more during the day, struggling to keep his eye open on occasions, and become more alert at night time
This graph illustrates how canine cognitive dysfunction affects a dog's circadian rhythm. While a healthy dog is most active during the day and rests at night, a dog with cognitive decline often becomes restless at night and shows decreased activity during the day.
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Restless Nights: The dog is more active at night, shown by the peak in activity in the evening and early morning.
Daytime Lethargy: Reduced daytime activity compared to a healthy dog, shown by the lower curve during the day.
Healthy Dog: Maintains a normal activity pattern—high during the day, low at night.
Understanding what Logan is experiencing
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is changing far more than Logan’s memory. It is changing the way he experiences the world, and it has taken me time to understand that.
As CCD is progressing, Logan isn't just “forgetting” things. His ability to process his environment is beginning to break down. Spaces he has moved through confidently for years sometimes feel unfamiliar to him. He will pause in doorways, hesitate in corners, or pace, not because he is stuck, but because the world no longer makes sense in the way that it did.
His sensory interpretation is also shifting. Subtle changes in light create shadows that will sometimes confuse or unsettle him. Sounds and items that never bothered him before, have started to cause him anxiety, in particular for us, the oven. His brain struggles to organise sensory information into something reassuring.
One of the hardest part of CCD to witness as a guardian is the change in emotional regulation. Logan has always been an anxious dogs, however can no longer settle himself the way he once had. Anxiety and restlessness will appear without an obvious cause. He isn't being difficult, demanding, or attention-seeking, he is overwhelmed, and he doesn't have the neurological tools to calm that feeling on his own.
Night time is when everything becomes most obvious. With reduced vision and fewer environmental cues, Logan seems to lose his bearings more easily. The house is quieter, darker, and less predictable. His spatial awareness declines, and pacing becomes more frequent. Watching him move through familiar rooms as if they were unfamiliar can be heartbreaking.
Logan isn't pacing because he wants something, he isn't pacing because he is bored or trying to get my attention. He is pacing because he is trying to cope with confusion and fear.
The most important shift I've tried to make is in my mindset. Instead of getting frustrated, and asking, “What is he doing?” I learned to think, “What is he experiencing?” That single change has transformed how I support him. I try to focus less on stopping behaviours and more on easing his distress, trying to maintain predictable routines and offering quiet reassurance instead of correction.
Changes we have made to help Logan
Rather than trying to stop the behaviour, we focused on making the environment feel safer and more predictable.
Sleeping more during the day
New anxieties
Creating a Safe Space Near the Bed
Logan now has his very own space right next to our bed, and I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer for everyone/
For dogs like Logan, who can get anxious or confused (especially in the middle of the night), having a safe, predictable spot close to their human can make a huge difference.
Being nearby helps Logan feel reassured. When he wakes up and seems a little lost, he can quickly orient himself just by hearing our breathing or sensing a gentle movement. Sometimes, I’ll reach down to give him a quick pat or scratch, and that tiny touch is enough to remind him he’s not alone. Some nights he will then settle back down to sleep, other nights it can take a little longer.
There are still nights when he does a little pacing or restless wandering, but overall, having this space has greatly reduced those moments.
My tips for creating a safe, calm space
Creating a safe space isn’t just about tossing a bed on the floor, it’s about crafting a little sanctuary where your dog feels protected and relaxed. Here’s what’s worked for Logan, and what might help your pup too:
1. Pick a Consistent Spot - Dogs thrive on consistency. Choose a location that’s close enough for comfort but still feels like their own little zone. Logan’s prefers to be right next to me in bed as this gives him the reassurance of being near me.
2. Make It Cozy - Soft blankets, a comfy bed, and maybe a favourite toy can make the space inviting. Logan doesn't play with toys, so we have used an old duvet covered in a soft blanket
3. Offer Gentle Cues of Safety - A light touch, a soft word, or the sound of your breathing can help your dog feel grounded and secure. Logan relies on these small cues to reorient himself when he wakes confused, which helps cut down on night time anxiety.
4. Keep the Environment Calm - Minimal noise, and few sudden movements make it easier for dogs to settle.
5. Make your house senior-dog friendly - As dogs age, they may become more unstable on their feet, and so wooden floors may start to worry them
As Logan has started to pace at night time, we now place blankets on our wooden areas.
5. Watch, Learn, and Adapt - Every dog is unique, and their needs may change over time. Pay attention to their behaviour and tweak the space as needed. I have noticed that Logan likes to sleep with half of his body under our bed, so I have now added blankets there for extra comfort.
More sniffing on walks
Leaving Lights On for Visual Clarity
We try to leave soft lights on overnight to ensure Logan can see clearly. Reduced lighting can dramatically increase disorientation in dogs with CCD.
For Logan, being able to visually identify his surroundings:
* Reduces confusion
* Helps him settle more quickly
* Minimises startled responses
Keeping furniture and the environment consistent
Dogs with cognitive decline rely heavily on environmental consistency. When their world starts to feel confusing, familiar surroundings become a critical source of comfort and orientation. Even small changes, like moving a chair or shifting a table, can disrupt their sense of security and increase anxiety.
With Logan, we’ve made a conscious effort to:
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Avoid moving furniture whenever possible
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Keeping his bed and food items in a consistent place
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Minimize unnecessary changes in his environment
These steps aren’t just about convenience, they’re about predictability for Logan.
Knowing where everything is helps him navigate the house with confidence and reduces disorientation.
I have found that even minor changes can have a surprisingly big impact. For example, over Christmas, we had to move some furniture to make room for the tree. Logan found this particularly difficult. The rearranged sofas and tables left him confused, and he seemed unsettled for a few days as he tried to navigate the changes. Even with his usual routines in place, the shift in his environment was enough to throw him off temporarily.
This experience reinforced just how important consistency is for his cognitive decline. When the world already feels unpredictable for him, maintaining environmental stability, and reintroducing it as quickly as possible when changes are unavoidable, become one of the most effective ways to help him feel safe and calm.
The Importance of Routine for Dogs with CCD
With Logan, keeping a steady routine has proven to be one of the most helpful ways to support him as he navigates life with CCD. Dogs with cognitive dysfunction can get easily confused by changes in their day-to-day schedule, and I’ve noticed that even small shifts can leave him unsettled or anxious.
For example, when I tried varying the time of his morning walk, Logan seemed disoriented and more restless than usual. On another occasion, I broke our usual evening routine for just two nights, reading in my bedroom instead of sitting with him on the sofa, and that disruption carried through the night, leaving him more unsettled than normal. These experiences reminded me just how much dogs with CCD rely on predictability to feel safe and calm.
Logan’s usual routine is simple but consistent: he starts the day with a snuffle mat at breakfast, enjoys his walk at 9:30a.m, has a licki mat in the afternoon, and then relaxes with me on the sofa before bedtime. Keeping this routine not only helps him feel secure but also provides important cues that help orient him throughout the day.
By maintaining a consistent schedule, I can reduce confusion and anxiety, helping Logan feel more comfortable and confident in his environment.
My tips for maintaining a predictable routine
1. Keep Key Activities at Consistent Times -
Walks, meals, and playtime are excellent anchors for dogs with CCD. Even small shifts in timing can create confusion, so I try to stick to a predictable schedule. Logan’s 9:30 a.m. walk is a highlight of his day, and keeping it consistent helps him know what to expect.
2. Use Environmental Cues - Placing familiar items in the same spots each day helps signal what’s coming next. These cues can give dogs a sense of control and reassurance, which is especially important for those with cognitive challenges.
3. Be Mindful of Routine Disruptions - Even short changes can unsettle a dog with CCD. If you need to deviate from the usual schedule, like Logan’s brief evenings without sofa time, try to return to the regular routine as soon as possible to restore a sense of stability.
4. Combine Routine with Reassurance - Consistency paired with gentle reassurance (touch, soft voice, or simply sitting nearby) can help your dog feel secure during transitions. Logan often uses these cues to orient himself, particularly if something unexpected happens.
5. Observe and Adjust Gradually - Some dogs can adapt to small changes if introduced slowly. Watch your dog’s response and make adjustments incrementally rather than all at once. This helps prevent confusion or anxiety from building up. Maintaining a predictable routine has made a tangible difference in reducing his anxiety, helping him navigate the day with confidence.
What this has taught me as a CSAT Trainer
Living with Logan has reinforced something I see often in my professional work:
Senior dogs don’t “develop problems”, they simply lose coping capacity.
As cognitive decline progresses, dogs may:
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Become more anxious
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Seek more reassurance
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Struggle with separation or isolation
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Panic in situations they once handled easily
This is particularly relevant when we talk about separation-related anxiety in older dogs. What looks like new anxiety is often rooted in:
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Memory loss
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Disorientation
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Increased dependence on attachment figures
Final Thoughts: Aging Deserves Kindness
Watching Logan age is both a privilege and a heartbreak. CCD reminds me that behaviour is communication, especially when he no longer has the cognitive tools he once did.
Logan doesn’t need independence. He needs safety and reassurance
And if sharing his story helps even one guardian recognise that their senior dog’s pacing, anxiety, or clinginess is rooted in confusion and anxiety rather than choice, then his experience has meaning beyond our home.
If you’re living with an aging dog and noticing changes, you’re not alone. And more importantly, neither is your dog.
A CSAT Reflection: When Cognitive Decline Changes the Separation Anxiety Picture
Living with Logan has fundamentally deepened my work as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer.
In separation anxiety cases, we often talk about learning history, attachment patterns, and gradual skill-building. But CCD reminds us that not all anxiety is learned, and not all dogs retain the ability to learn in the same way throughout life.
With senior dogs, especially those showing signs of cognitive decline, the challenge is not always about supporting independence. It is about supporting emotional regulation in a brain that is losing flexibility.
What Logan has shown me, both personally and professionally, is that:
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Dogs may suddenly struggle with absences they previously tolerated
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Memory loss can make every separation feel new, unpredictable, and unsafe
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From a CSAT perspective, this means we must:
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Slow protocols dramatically
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Prioritise feeling safe
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Recognise when management and medication are ethical, necessary tools
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Advocate for the dog even when expectations need to change
Perhaps most importantly, it means helping guardians release guilt.
When a senior dog with CCD panics when left alone, it is not because the guardian has “created dependency.” It is because the dog’s neurological safety net is fraying.
Logan has reminded me that separation anxiety work is not about creating distance, and absences, it is about preserving trust, dignity, and comfort, especially at the end of a dog’s life.
14th Jan 2026
Written by
Katie Brill – CSAT / PACT-KSA / ABTC-ATI / KAD-AP
Separation Anxiety Specialist, Dog Training Instructor & School Dog Specialist