It took about 2 months for them to establish the pecking order. There were a couple fights, but nothing serious, just little nips. The younger one won that battle, and they've been best buddies since. It's funny, the younger dog hovers over the older one, a protective stance of sorts. She's kind of been our 'radar' that something is going to happen. It's really interesting to see them exhibit this behavior.
We put baby gates up and she's confined to the living room and kitchen area now. At first, I did that because I didn't want her falling down the stairs, but now, we're going keep her somewhat confined. The carpet is crap (pun intended), so, it's not a loss, but it's pain cleaning it. We do make an exception and let her sleep in our bedroom during her clingy phase.
You're right about losing the brain. She would be so disoriented and lost. She's always been clingy to me, probably because she was so confused about who was her owner. When we first brought her home, she followed me everywhere, as a matter of fact, she's under my feet right now. As she became used to her new family, she settled down more, but after her attacks, she searches me out, and will not let me out of her site.
Sorry about your Airedale.
My shepherd was like that with my dad when he would start having seizures. She knew when he was going into one and would lay at his feet during the episode.