Older dogs , in many cases misbehave, not because they don’t know the rules, but , for many reasons, are unable to follow them.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour problems seen in older dogs. Your little guy will become anxious when he senses you are about to leave. Often this same little guy will become destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate. When you do return he is exhuberant. Chico has decided to lay in front of the door when he senses that I am leaving. Then I have to go into the treat and retreat mode.
Here are some tips to assist you in leaving without the guilt associated with leaving.
1) Do not make a big deal about leaving or coming home
2) Teach your dog to relax
3) Change your departure cues ( I put my purse outside the door before leaving), such as the alarm going off-going to closet to get your shoes or coat
4) Associate your departure with something good. Give your dog a Kong filled with treats, or some other treat that will make him work-and not notice as you head for the door
5) Break up your dogs day-if you will be gone all day-consider day care-perhaps not five days, but two or three days a week. Or you might consider a mid day dog walker
6) Crate your dogs-Dogs feel safe and covered
7) Lastly, as a last ditch effort-if all else has failed-you might look into drugs, such as Clomicalm. Just know that medication is not enough to alleviate the problem.
I hate to spend even one night away from Chico and Bella because they are such a big part of my daily life. But sometimes for any number of reasons , you simply must put your senior dog in a kennel for one night or more. Before making a choice and dropping him off, there are a few things you should consider.
Has your senior stayed in a kennel before? If this is his first time, he may find it harder to adjust in a kennel than a typical older dog. Seniors tend to be set in their ways and are accustomed to their daily routine, which includes being with you at home. If he has been in this kennel before, it will be much easier. Try daycare a couple of days before. He will see that you do return.
Does the kennel have special facilites and routines for seniors? Before selecting a kennel, take a tour. make sure the facility’s layout and design is senior-dog friendly.
No overly high barriers that he must step across
No long staircase that he’ll be expected to climb
Plenty of soft , cushy areas where he can rest
A senior only area where he can get away from rambunctious pups and aggressive adults
Is the kennel staff friendly? Many kennel workers are dog lovers by nature, however, as you know, caring for a senior can require more patience and knowledge.
You need to ask these questions while touring:
Does the kennel regularly care for seniors
Is the staff experienced with the needs and temperament of seniors
Has the staff received additional training to help them deal with the needs of seniors
How can you find senior care in your area? Start by asking friends and neighbors who have senior dogs? If they have had bad experiences they can share with you. Obviously that goes for good experiences as well. You can ask your vet for suggestions.
You want to ensure that this is a good experience and if needed again, it will be easier to navigate.
Unless you are especially attached to a certain dog name, avoid choosing one of the most popular names. You will run into other dogs with your dog’s name and it could lead to some confusion at the dog park or vet’s office. The names Bella, Bailey, Max, Molly, Buddy and Lucy are just a few of the most popular names as of 2010. This is sure to change over time, so do some research before you settle on a name.
Some people like to get multiple dogs together and name them after famous duos or trios like “Abbott and Costello” or “Moe, Larry and Curly.” Others use phrases like “Sugar and Spice” or “Peanut Butter and Jelly.” While these can be cute and funny, you also need to consider how you like each name separately. The two dogs might not always be together.
If you wish to give your dog a name that also belongs to a human family member or friend, you should ask that person how they feel about it first. Uncle Herbert might be amused that you wish to name your Basset Hound after him, but Cousin Annabelle might be offended if you choose her name for your Maltese.
Your guy is clearly, not a cow. You might be worried that he is sick,hungry or bored. Will eating grass hurt him? Rest assured you are not
alone in your concern. Dogs eating grass is quite common, and most vets consider it normal. There are a variety of reasons might be crazing on your lawn.
Evidence suggests that the notion that your little guy is unwell could cause this behavior. This has proven to be false.
It has been suggested that this grass eating could assist with digestion, and the need for fiber.
Or it good be that our dog just simply likes the taste.
Although most experts agree that grazing itself isn’t harmful, one thing to keep in mind is certain herbicides and pesticide use on lawn
can be dangerous.
Should I stop my Dog From eating Grass
Experts agree that crazing in itself, is nit harmful. If your dog is bored, find things for him to do.
Swimming therapy for dogs is fast becoming a prescribed protocol for canine rehabilitation and strength building. Being in a pool provides an arena for non weight bearing exercise -where resistance in water is up to 20 X that of being in air.
Being in a pool benefits the body in these ways:
Loosening tight muscles
Increasing circulation, endurance, flexibility, range of motion, balance, coordination and muscle strength
Decrease swelling
Relaxation
Confidence Building
These are some questions to ask about the therapist
What training has therapist had
Are they licensed or certified
How many hours do they spend in the pool? Be sure the person who handles your dog has experience
Are they trained in first aid, specifically first aid in the water
Some questionsto ask about the pool
What is the pool temperature(Pool temperature should be between 80 and 94 degrees)
How often is the pool cleaned
Is the business insured
Questions to ask yourself
Do I feel comfortable letting my dog work with this therapist
Do I feel comfortable asking questions-were they answered to my satisfaction
Finally , don’t be shy about asking that your dog be removed from the pool if you feel he or you is uncomfortable.
To properly care for your dogs eyes, do the following:
Keep eyes clear of muscus at all times. Infections are often caused by bacteria that overgrow on mucus. Use a sterile eyewash and/or eye wipes to keep eye area clean.
Apply a protective ophtalmic ointment under the top lid to protect the eyes before bathing, facial cleanings, and insecticide treatment. Even tearless shampoos can irritate if too much gets in the eyesor if it is not rinsed out soon enough.
Keep all hair out of the little guys eyes since scratches to the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye) can result from contact hair. Trim the hair using blunt nosed scissors, cutting parellel to the edge of the eyelid. This is especially important when the skin folds near the eyes in certain breeds.
Tear staining is a common problem with certain breeds of dogs.Normally tears flow across the surface of the eye and drain through tear ducts, You should clean hair in affected areas at least weekly with a tear stain remover product.
If your old guys eye appear a bit hazy or opaque it may be normal. This can be a normal change due to aging. Your vet will be able to distinguish if this is age-related clouding which is called nuclear sclerosis or it may be cateracts.
During your weekly maintenance check, position yourself in good light and look closely at your dogs eyes. Healthly eyes should be clear and moist.
Your dog does not have a safe way to keep his eyes clean. They rely on us as “good parents” to make sure all is well.
Fact: Choosing a senior dog over puppies is becoming a trend when adopting dogs. This is the result of a recent survey conducted by Flexin International, which is in charge of the Flexpet Shelter Program.
Choosing a Senior Dog – The Rising Trend
In Flexin’s online survey of 1,250 pet owners nationwide between the ages of 21-30, 61 percent said they would rather adopt an older dog instead of a puppy. The majority of these respondents (89%) said they didn’t have the time or the patience to house-train a new puppy because of working multiple jobs, or other time constraints. More than half (54%) also said that they are choosing dogs over children because they’re not sure they can handle the greater needs of a child. (Read More Here)
There are many possible reasons for this, among which is the “me-culture”. As people have less time for rearing dogs as they spend more time building their aspirations, they instead opt for older dogs that have already been housetrained.
Even celebrities are jumping in on the trend: take the case of Elisabetta Canalis, the Italian girlfriend of George Clooney. In a recent survey, she said that an older dog fulfills her maternal desires.
So what are you waiting for? You won’t be the first person to choose a senior dog; everybody’s in on the craze!
Caring For a Senior Dog: Getting the Right Dog Bed
Changing the dog bed is one of the several adjustments you will have to make to comfort your senior dog. You will notice your older buddy grow increasingly uncomfortable with his bed—a sign that it’s time to replace the dog bed.
When your dog is over eight years, it is usually considered to be “senior”, and will need to have his bed replaced. However, this isn’t necessarily true for smaller breeds—which usually takes longer before they age. The primary reason behind changing the dog bed is that they will sleep longer and more frequently, alongside health-related sleep issues that can be directly addressed by changing their bed.
Because your dog will lose muscle mass, which will most likely make the bones look more prominent, you need a good bed with comfortable padding to support the bones of your dog. If you don’t do this, your dog will end up suffering from pressure in the bony areas: the hops, shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Having established the need for a quality bed for your old buddy, you must be wondering: what makes for a good dog bed?
There are some important elements that you should make sure is present in a quality dog bed.
Caring For a Senior Dog: Getting the Right Dog Bed
Orthopedic – There is only one material know to man that completely eliminates all painful pressure points and that material is memory foam. Make sure you ask what grade/quality memory foam is being used in your orthopedic dog bed, as there are three qualities (grades) of memory foam:
· ‘5 pound’ memory foam is the highest quality-although more expensive, it gives the best support and lasts for years.
· ‘4 pound’ memory foam which is what most ‘humans’ have on their beds.
· Lastly ‘3 pound’ memory foam is the lowest quality-even known to lose its memory over time. Sadly, many orthopedic memory foam dog beds use the cheaper ‘3 pound’ memory foam in their bed. (Read More Here)
A quality dog bed is also resistant to water and moisture. Because your dog will have a tendency to become incontinent, you should keep in mind that the dog bed must not be made of foam. Foam easily absorbs stains and odors—you don’t want the dog bed to smell and become unsanitary quickly after you buy it.
For the same reasons that you should avoid foam, you should consider a dog bed that is easily washable. The cover must be washing machine washable, as well as the material of the bed itself.
Pick a dog bed that has huge zippers in it. Believe me, there’s nothing more annoying than having to squeeze out the cover as you wash it.
Last, but definitely not the least of your considerations, is the comfort. You owe your old dog comfort—a dog bed that will provide a soft cushion from the pressure points of their bony joints.
There’s no hard and fast rule about when to get a quality dog bed for your fur buddy. The moment you notice your dog looking uncomfortable, it’s time to consider buying a quality dog bed.
This video couldn’t have said it better: no dog is too old, too broken, or too worn. Rather, senior dogs are wise, resilient, and worthy. For all their admirable qualities, loving a senior dog is certainly all too easy.
Their gray muzzle is a sign of their sharpened instincts. Their scars show just how loyal and protective they are of their owner. And your older dog’s bark might not be as strong as it used to be, but it shows how loyal your beloved dog has been all through the years.
This tribute shows the pain and unworthiness older dogs may sometimes be subjected to. But it is equally a reminder that there are loving owners like you, who won’t leave their loyal companions no matter what.
Don’t you just love older dogs? They’re sweeter, gentler, and more loving than the average dog. But more importantly, they’ve grown to become part of your family.
Your older dog might not be as active as before. They might have gray muzzles and thinning fur. But they’ll always be your best companion, the one who’d always greet you at your doorstep. And you’ll surely always be there for them.
Whatever the breed of your older dog is, whether your fur friend has just reached seven years or is well past 20 years old, nothing can compare to your dog’s quiet grace and composure. Together, you two have gone through several challenges, and the road ahead spells an even more beautiful journey for the two of you.
Check out this cute little video—and reminisce how far you and your partner have come. Think back on all the unforgettable memories you and your dog have shared. A toast to many more years with your old buddy!
Senior status in dogs is not measured by their number of years. Your 9-yr-old pooch might qualify as a senior, while your neighbor might have a 10-yr-old dog who’s well in the mid-life stage. For the most part, senior dogs are determined by their breed. For instance, giant breeds like deerhounds are considered elderly by their 6th to 8th year, while small breed dogs like a miniature poodle won’t be senior until they reach 17 years old.
There are two breeding methods that affect the longevity of a dog’s life—inbreeding and the pure-breed approach. In-breeding is when close relatives are bred with one another to retain certain traits, both positive and negative. For instance, breeding half-siblings with a long lifespan can result in an offspring with the same longevity.
Pure-breeding is when the same male dog is used to mate with different females. This way, the undesirable genes of other male dogs will disappear, and only the male dog who fathers all the offspring will carry forward his genetic characteristics.
Here’s a run-down on the life expectancy of dog breeds:
A Closer Look At Age And Dog Breeds
Breeds and Longevity
Breed
Average Life Span (Years)
Beagle
13
Boston Terrier
12
Boxer
10
Bulldog
9
Chihuahua
15
Cocker Spaniel
12
Dachshund
12
German Shepherd
11
Golden Retriever
12
Labrador Retriever
11
Maltese
13
Miniature Pinscher
14
Miniature Schnauzer
13
Pomeranian
14
Pug
13
Rottweiler
9
Shetland Sheepdog
13
Shih Tzu
13
Yorkshire Terrier
14
Mixed breeds
Determining the life expectancy of a mixed-breed dog is a little trickier than determining the life expectancy of a purebred dog. On the one hand, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is affected by the life expectancies of each breed he’s made up of — assuming you can figure out what those breeds are. On the other hand, a dog’s unique mix means a unique gene pool, and the more unique the gene pool, the less chance the undesirable trait has of affecting the dog. And if you’re looking for a precise figure for your particular dog’s breed mix, research isn’t a whole lot of help. If you’re willing to take an average, though, a mixed-breed dog’s life expectancy is about 13 years. (More here)
The senior status of dogs vary from one dog to another. To find out if your dog can be considered senior, you will have to look at a number of signs.
One sign that your dog has hit “senior-hood” is when your dog doesn’t move as fast as in the old days. A senior dog spends most of the time napping or lying down.
Your dog might have been able to catch Frisbee throws in a matter of minutes before. Your dog is probably a senior if this is no longer the case.
Another sign is when your dog’s coat has gotten grayer and the coat has gotten thinner. You will notice your dog’s face and muzzle look grayer than before. You might also find soft lumps in your dog’s trunk. While these lumps aren’t life-threatening, this is another sign of senior-hood and you should call the vet once you feel lumps in your dog’s body.
When your dog no longer responds as quickly as before, that’s not because your dog is being combative. Your dog’s hearing is affected by aging, just like in us humans.
Lastly, you might notice your dog getting prone to accidents, suffering from incontinence or getting lost in your backyard. These are all signs of aging that come along with senior-hood.
When all these signs are present and your dog has finally reached senior status, don’t panic. There will be changes, yes, but with your companionship and guidance, your old companion will surely enjoy his advanced years.
There is no one “right” answer to this question. Just as people age differently, so do dogs. What is ‘senior’ in one dog might still be ‘middle aged’ in another dog of the same years. Do pay attention though, and see if their eyes seem a bit cloudy or if they cannot hear you as well as they used to. Of course, changes in cognitive function are worth noting and if they seem to forget the ‘rules’ of the house suddenly, that could be an indication of a change in their thought process.
How you care for your fur baby may need to change and it is best if you do not get too stressed out. Accept that they are going to be a bit of a different dog from now on and keep an open mind. If you need to get support, see if your local shelter or canine groups offer a place where you can get help and talk to other dog parents to see if they have advice. You are not alone, so reach out if you need to!
