Do you have an old dog? Not everyone is that lucky.
I’ve had dogs for more of my life than I’ve not had dogs, but until a few years ago, my dog who lived the longest made it to only 12½ years old. (I had golden retrievers; their average length of life is estimated at about 10.) Then my last golden lived to age 15—my one golden retriever not affected by cancer, heart issues, or bloat.
I have a dog now whose age is estimated at 17!
I’ll never know her birthdate because I found her in the street, but the veterinarians who examined her when I decided to keep her were in agreement. She was approximately one-and-a-half to two years of age then. I’ve had her 15 years now, from young adult to elderly, although most of the time she doesn’t act her age. She’s half terrier, you see, which makes her one tough cookie.
Although I’ve never grown a dog that old until now, I have had geriatric felines—two of them, adopted as young cats, one a kitten—both of whom lived to age 22.
I’d had a lifetime of living with cats (my family had cats when I was a kid), but I’d never experienced extreme cat old age. I learned what hard work the last years of an elderly cat can be—for the owners and certainly for the cat.
It’s no different for an elderly dog. Old age can be a . . . you know.
Dogs are different from cats and many other household pets in several ways that may affect their ease of care and quality of life in their senior years. They are animals who eliminate and exercise outside. They vary in size and weight enormously, from the typical five-pound terrier cross (like my senior) to the more unusual but perennially popular 150-pound Great Dane. They can be stressed by and fearful of unfamiliar situations; they can bite when they are stressed or fearful.
If you have a young dog now, that dog may live to be old.
You can start today to prepare your dog to live old age well.
Photo by Lynne Petermann — Pooky at four months old
Can you lift your dog?
You do it all the time; she weighs under 10 pounds.
Keep up the good work.
Check with your veterinarian if your aging dog changes her mind about being picked up. There could be physical issues that make her feel less safe about being handled. Does your dog growl, wince, try to get away? Video-record what’s happening at home and show your vet what you’re concerned about.
Can you carry your dog?
You do it all the time; you’re strong and healthy.
That’s great!
Consider expanding the list of humans who can carry your dog. Ask other trusted family members, friends the dog already knows and likes, neighbors who might help in an emergency situation. Demonstrate how you carry the dog, let them practice sitting down with the dog in their lap. When you’re sure the dog feels safe, walk with them while the other human carries your dog.
Can you boost your dog into the car?
You help him every time by lifting his back end.
Excellent!
He puts his front paws up, you heft the rest? He’s too heavy for you to lift, but you’ve found a way to help him and he’s willing to be helped. You’re working together to get him somewhere he wants to go—into the car, up onto a couch or bed at home. He’s rewarded by getting there!
Can he jump up by himself? Don’t let that stop you. Teach him how to accept a boost, too. Later, you’ll be glad you did.
Can your dog use a ramp or dog stairs?
Your dog uses a ramp or dog stairs every day.
You are doing a good job!
You know how hard it can be to teach an adult dog to change the way he gets into the car, hops up onto a bed, or goes in and out of your house. You’ve got the jump on all those doggy “senior” issues centered around mobility. When your dog gets older and possibly infirm, he will already understand how safe and rewarding using a dog ramp or dog stairs can be, because he’s been using ramps and dog stairs all his life.
You might have to “spot” him when he’s older, like a coach does with a gymnast, to make absolutely sure he’s still safe even with eyesight, strength, or balance issues, but he’ll be used to your being by his side there, and he’ll be very likely to accept your help and guidance gladly.
Photo by Lynne Petermann — Pooky at fourteen years old
Extra Credit for Big Dogs
Walking with human assistance
▪ Practice now so your dog will accept help easily when he’s injured, infirm, or older.
▪ Introduce the dog to walking with a big towel under his chest/belly, with the ends of the towel held by you as you walk with the dog.
▪ Once the dog accepts the towel, practice lifting up very gently.
When you’re assisting the dog this way for real, you’ll be holding enough of his weight with the towel so that he can walk upright, balance, go slowly—even eliminate when he might be too weak to walk safely without your help.
Introduce your dog to a dog stretcher.
▪ Start with letting him sniff and check out the stretcher while it’s on the floor or ground, then move on to asking him to walk on it, sit on it, eventually lie down on it.
▪ Advance to moving it slightly while he’s lying on it, dragging it an inch or two, then farther.
▪ Don’t tell him to Stay (that would be unfair), but encourage him with praise and treats.
▪ Add another human to the exercise and lift the stretcher an inch or two off the floor. Practice lifting the stretcher first without the dog if the humans involved aren’t experienced stretcher carriers!
Your job is to get your dog so used to being carried on the stretcher that he fully cooperates and doesn’t try to jump off.
Needless to say, unless you proceed with this training in fully successful small increments, you are unlikely to achieve much cooperation from your dog—so go safely and slowly!
Next week: What skills can you teach your young dog now that will make life easier for both of you when he’s older? Your dog may lose hearing, eyesight, strength, balance, continence. What can you do now to make dealing with your dog’s “senior” issues more successful when you get there?
