Search & Rescue Dogs

I was thinking that he out beagle was just old and confused so I would spray a mist of water over his head when he would bark at a wall or into open space. Until someone said something about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and how I should stop this. So I looked into it and it sounds like they hit the nail right on. The treatment is Anipryl. But I'm afraid of the side effects which can be vomiting, lethargy, staggering, hyperactivity (restlessness), diarrhea, seizure or anorexia. That just seem worse to chance or have happen then whats going on now. I stopped with the water being that It can't be helped but what should we do!?