By Kay Bradnum
If you have adopted an older dog, I would recommend you start by reading Guide Two on Puppies. Any new dog should be treated as a pup, until you know what they have been taught, and until you have helped them to understand what’s needed in your home. That is especially important for an older dog. They are likely to bewildered at the changes in their life, and a little extra patience and understanding will go a long way.

For much of the time, an older dog should be treated exactly the same as a younger one. Good food, good exercise (either on a walk or at home if needed), and plenty of love and enrichment will keep any dog happy. Having said that, if your older dog doesn’t seem inclined to want a walk any time, do let him choose. It won’t do him any harm at all to skip a walk here and there If you can’t have a little control over your life in your old age, that would be a sad thing. Walks are likely to be slower and sniffy, so don’t be in a rush when you are walking together – just take your time and enjoy watching his pleasure. If you only go 100 yards in half an hour, that’s fine; it’s his walk so let him enjoy.
However good he has been with other dogs and pups in the past, in his twilight years he will want to be left in peace. If you’re bringing in a new pup, make sure that the only one teaching your pup its manners is you. It’s not your existing dog’s job to train the new one. If he’s feeling particularly achy or grumpy for some reason, he might very well hurt the pup, or at least give it a real fright and possibly a lasting fear of other dogs. And it won’t be his fault. Some older dogs do enjoy the company of a young one, but they aren’t the norm and even then, any interactions need to be short and supervised. Make sure when pup is settled and having a sleep, that your oldie gets some special time with you too if that’s what he would enjoy. Maybe a massage if he likes that, or a special treat or fuss, but be guided by him; he might just want to be left alone and that’s okay too.
Many of the problems we see in humans, we also see in our dogs as they get older. Stiffness in the joints, being more inclined to rest and sleep, and aches and pains that make us more grumpy than normal are all very common signs of ageing. We need to remember this when our silly young pup passes through the years of being the perfect dog and turns into a venerable old gent. If you see any of the above signs, make an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later, as there is much that can be done to keep him comfortable. There is no need to think “oh it’s just his age”. He doesn’t need to be in pain, and you can help him to be comfortable, and so much happier.
You might also find that he can’t “hold it” as long as he used to, and there will be a few toilet accidents. Again, remember he can’t help it, so just clean up and talk to your vet. There are meds that can help with incontinence. You might still need though, to make sure he gets more toilet opportunities than he used to.
He may want to be left alone, or he may be more clingy and want to be close to you. Let him. He’s only a part of your life, but you are all of his. It’s not a big thing to ask for.
He may find it harder to stay cool, or stay warm. Make sure you know his needs and give a warm blanket if necessary, or a cooling mat in the heat. Either way, he’s likely to want a little extra comfort, so consider a memory foam bed for those creaky old joints.
He may seem to become fussy about food. His sense of smell may not be what it was, so try warming it a little, or try something else for him. Food is off-topic for the group, but remember it doesn’t have to be dog food.
We know that no dogs are stubborn, but people often think their dog has become “stubborn in his old age”. Consider that he may not hear your cues any more, or he may not see your hand signals as he used to. Again, your vet will be able to help, but more patience from us can make a big difference for our oldies.
You might see him become confused at times; maybe trying to go through a door from the hinged side, or seeming to have lost his way back in from the garden. He might get stuck in corners, or bark repeatedly for no obvious reason. Don’t get cross with the barking. Although some of the other things mentioned might sound funny, they aren’t laughable either. Again, talk to your vet as he could be suffering from Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or “doggy dementia”. There are meds that may help, but your vet is the person to discuss that with.
At some point. you will probably have a hard decision to make. No one else can help much with that, although we do have some information in this Guide. Our dogs give us a great deal, whether we’ve been lucky enough to have them all their lives, or only a brief time towards the end. It is an honour to be able to help them on their last journey with the dignity and comfort they deserve. It is the last service we can do for them so be brave and make it easy for them, not you.
