I have to admit, now that Sanchez is 12-years-old and showing signs of slowing down, I think often about ways to comfort him. While I’m very blessed that he is in good health, it’s not unusual for senior dogs to lose memory, eyesight and experience hearing loss. Dogs also can experience some changes in behavior as they mature.
Some of Sanchez’s new behaviors remind me of his puppy years, such as chewing tissues from the bathroom waste basket. But, more serious behavior changes like resource guarding and separation anxiety developed later in life. I have heard from many people with senior dogs that get restless and agitated at night-time, yet they calmly sleep all day. It’s easy to feel helpless watching their discomfort, yet there are many simple things we can do to help.
1. Time
Spend time with them doing what they enjoy, whether that’s cuddling on the sofa or long, slow walks in nature. They may not need the amount of exercise they had as a youngster, but they still need quality time shared together. Sadly, they may not have an abundance of time left. Make every moment count.
2. Nature
Sanchez can’t manage the long hikes of his youth. But, he still really enjoys walks in nature, taking in all the sights and smells. We live near the Pacific Ocean and walks by the beach are the highlight of his days.
3. Patience
Dogs, like people, move slower with age. Don’t rush them. They like to take more time to stop and smell the roses, and everything else in their path. Allow them this time. It’s a good reminder for you too that every moment is precious.
4. Train
Dogs love to learn, and you actually can teach an old dog new tricks. I still spend time clicker training every night with Sanchez. If it gets late, he starts whining and begging for this time with me. The bonding time is precious, and it stimulates him to keep learning and being challenged. He has no complaints about his rewards either.
5. Work
Sanchez has been our loyal Through a Dog’s Ear mascot since 2008. Truth be told, he’s retired all of his previous careers ~ guide dog puppy, agility competitor, canine musical freestyler, and actor (playing Helen Keller’s dog in The Miracle Worker). But, he still really enjoys being in the limelight and posing for the camera. So, his work still continues as long as he is enjoying it.
5. Physical Assistance
Sanchez still goes almost everywhere with me. But, now I carry a ramp to help him get in and out of the car. I’ve been doing this since he had a slipped disc in his neck at age nine. I’d recommend a ramp for most senior dogs that are too large to be lifted out of the car. Their joints will thank you for it.
6. Sound Therapy
Most senior dogs don’t have the same tolerance for noise they used to in their youth. The immune system of a senior dog is often heavily taxed. A natural reaction is to self-limit the amount of auditory or visual stimulation coming into the system. That is why senior dogs will often shut down in overstimulating sound environments. Sound therapy can often help facilitate the nutrients of sound needed for maximum sound intake while conserving energy output. Music to Comfort Your Elderly Canine has also been helpful for pain management with senior dogs and night-time restlessness.
What has brought comfort to your senior dogs in their later years? Thanks for adding your stories in a comment below.
Related:
5 Surprising Ways to Protect Your Dog’s Hearing
How Could My Puppy Be 12-Years-Old Already?
Shadow my 15 yr old schnauzer is loosing his hearing. I’m having trouble finding the right pitch so he can hear me. Any suggestions?
Light classical music has been shown in studies to be very calming to dogs, which can be helpful when there are disturbing noises outside, like fireworks.
My girl Cali liked music, particularly jazz. When I would play Nora Jones or Buena Vista Social Club she would lay next to one of the speakers and doze off. Girl had great musical taste to go with her gazillion other amazing qualities.
My 8-year-old Shih Tzu, Ling Ling, will bark frantically when we leave her at places like the groomers. The dog groomer turns the radio on to a music station, and “the Princess” will calm down right away. That’s how I found out that music doth indeed have charms, at least for my little girl.
When we have to leave her alone at home, we have found that leaving the TV on to the weather station (a good mixture of talk and music), lessens her separation anxiety considerably.
Thanks for this helpful article.
My retired CCI service dog, Michael, died at age 15-1/2 yrs. During the last few months of his life, he experienced nighttime anxiety. I discovered singing to him at bedtime relaxed him until he fell asleep. He always slept through the night with no problem. My voice is less than average but I found it fun to make up lyrics that applied to him to songs like “You Are My Sunshine”, 4-leaf clover, Rock-a-bye Baby, etc. And for some reason he liked gypsy music!!!
Thanks for your comforting article about calming senior dogs. Sufi-Xiu, my tiny 13-year-old and very active schnaultese has recently become quite deaf. However, apart from slowing slightly on walks (sniffing more) she is still delighted to train every day with exercises (often flat-out tempted by occasional treats) based on previous agility activities. Since I always used hand signals as well as voice, she has transitioned easily and learned more as well. When I leave her alone, I make sure to play soft classical music for her but I look forward to playing your Music to Comfort Your Elderly Canine. I hope we can look forward to lots more time together. Every moment counts!
What brand of ramp do you have? I have a four door passenger car. Do you think it will work for that type of car? Wasn’t sure by the photo what kind of car you have (i.e. van, SUV, etc.)
Our senior dog loves his iCalmDog. It really helps in thunderstorms.
Thank you.
Thank for getting back with me. I greatly appreciate it.
In the past I have looked for ones for a 4 door car, but had no luck finding one. I will have to keep looking. 🙂
Thank you,
Margaret
When my second sheltie was very elderly, he lost most of his hearing and couldn’t see as well as he did when younger. We started playing scenting games based on K-9 Nose Work. There was nothing wrong with his nose and he LOVED the games. I’d use 6-8 boxes and I just kept hiding food treats in various boxes. Since he couldn’t hear, didn’t move fast or see well, making the game just challenging enough for him was easy. Nose Work got his mind and his body moving 🙂
Our 2 benefitted seniors hugely with iCalm during thunderstorms, calming immediately from a shaking, panting mess to docile sleepers! One died early this year & remaining one likes his music which he listens to when we are away and if he is in the car & cuddles up to it – have just got the seniors chip for his “music box” – it is great – thank you for providing the means for his comfort, & tranquility!
Ros, I too am so sorry for your loss. I lost one of my three beloved Shih Tzus last October and another one in February of this year. It just rips the heart out of you.
One of the things that really helped me was ordering two grave markers from Kelegant company in Canada. There are many companies in the States that do this, too.
Now, I have a focus for sending my loving thoughts and a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and heal and meditate.
Much like singing to one’s anxious dog friend, I’ve found reading aloud to be calming for my 10yr old Spoo, Jetta, when thunder and/or fireworks happen. She’s not a cuddler but lies beside me when she’s scared. So hard to witness. She’s the best!
Our wonderful Callie recently left across the rainbow bridge and the loss is so very deeply felt still.
After kenneling her for the first time ever she was not the same dog. No one could determine what was wrong with her and we spared no expense with Vets.
So we spent the last two years watching her go downhill before our eyes. So hard! When
she was ready to go she let us know. We gave her everything we could and if possible more love, and cuddling too. Even when it was
so hard to get her in and out of the car we
tried to take her out when we could until she could no longer sit on the backseat.
Got to stop now because I’m crying and can’t see the keys.
I enjoyed reading your blog. My dog Corey is 11 yrs. He is an 85 pound golden, huskey and collie mix. We have been walking two miles daily, however I have notice him slowing down. I brought water with us and offered him some during the walks. Seems to help him. We walk in the am before the heat.
A new dog toe grip for senior dogs struggling on slippery floors worked wonders for our 16 year old German Shepard. She was at the point of struggling just to stand and lay down and her pain and inflammation were taking over. She was on all the Veterinarian prescribed medications and treatments but none addressed the problem of having little traction on the wood and tile floors. Dog Toe Treads worked wonders for our dog! The result was immediate and got better over time. She struggled far less to move around. She wanted to stay out longer and walked more at home. She actually grew stronger from increased activity. We were ready to put her down but gained another 2 years of quality time with her from the Dog Toe Treads. http://www.DogToeTreads.com