Taking Care of an Older Dog

A few people might end up getting an older or an adult dog instead of a puppy. So might consider adopting a dog from the local pound and give it a family that it deserves. Others might get one from a friend or family member that is not able to take care of it anymore. Taking care of an older dog might sound easier compared to taking care of a puppy, but it’s actually more complex then you think. Older dogs face a few certain types of illnesses that puppies may not experience. Here is a guideline on how you can take care of an older dog.

Keep a very close eye on their weight

Like humans, dogs tend to have a more active metabolism when they are younger. As they age, it slows down and it’s easier for them to gain a few pounds. To assure that the dog’s weight is just right for their height and breed, weight the dog regularly. Keep a small notebook or list with you or use a track chart and write down any changes on their weight. You need to keep their weight at a certain rage to keep them healthy and prevent any illnesses. If you do not have a scale, you can go to the vet and ask them if you can use theirs. Most vet office let their clients use their scale for free.

Include more healty activities
An excellent diet is not enough to keep your dog healthy. It will also need some exercise and physical activity. A great way to let your dog get some exercise and also let you enjoy spending time with it is to play games. A popular game that most dog owners sign up for is dog Frisbee. You and your dog can enjoy running around in a field, throwing and catching a Frisbee. Some games even have competitions and many dog owners would train their dogs to become the best. Keeping an older dog active helps minimize the possibility of them getting arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, hip dyspepsia and more.

Visit the vet more often

Making frequent visits to the vet is needed for older dogs. More frequent visits will detect any illnesses while it is still on its early stages. Illnesses that only affect older dogs, like degenerative myelopathy, can be tested for. Vets know what is best for your dog during this age so talk to them and ask for a few care tips as well.

Old Dogs and New Tricks

If there is such a thing as a metaphor counter, the “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” would be one that prevails in the gapping black hole of too-infinite-to-count metaphors and sayings.

From TV sitcoms to dramas, fantasy paperbacks to bio-epic best sellers, the assertion that old dogs can’t learn new tricks is one of the oldest in record, often metaphorically positioned with senior citizen husbands incapable of catching up with the signs of the times, as old matrons can’t fathom the concept behind a working woman of today.

But, contrary to the number of times the metaphor has been used, reused and overused, you CAN teach old dogs new tricks – they are just more challenging to teach.

Given that dogs develop their unique personalities as they’re growing, whatever trends and practices they get when they’re still puppies stays until they grow older. Take for example a particular pup’s liability to be fearful or afraid, an attribute which tends to stick as pup grows older.

By implementing conditioned stimulus-training strategies AND a lot of patience, cowardly pups can learn to deal with situations with more grace and decorum expected from braver, tougher dogs.

Understanding the reward and punishment system that is unique for older dogs also helps them learn new tricks, doing away with calling them over just to be punished, and enforcing stricter acumens for rewards if ever a dog stops barking or making a mess in the living room.

Dogs are always eager to learn, given the proper understanding and care put into teaching them.

Consistent teachers have to understand one of the teaching profession’s most basic rule – start where your students are – and should be very patient with their wards.

Don’t just give up on teaching your dog just because he/she is old.

You CAN still teach old dogs new tricks.