Tips & Advice for First Time Senior Dog Parents
We’ve given our dogs the best life possible, and when we know time is getting short we often start to think about putting together a bucket list. It’s a way for us to squeeze every last drop of joy from our relationship, and leave us with happy memories to last a lifetime. Visiting favorite places … Read more
I have a picky eater so believe me when I tell you, I feel your pain. How frustrating is it when your dog turns his nose up at absolutely everything you give him! Sometimes he’ll eat the same thing for a few days maybe longer, other times he’ll sniff the bowl like it was filled … Read more
Isn’t it heart breaking watching a fat dog barely able to walk, panting with each step he tries to take. If you have a dog that needs to lose weight, the first step is to make an appointment with your vet. He will weigh your dog, discuss a new diet or adjustment to his current … Read more
What do you do when your dog hates the vet, but a health condition makes frequent appointments necessary? To help reduce anxiety drive to the vet, park far enough away so your dog doesn’t react, give her treats and drive home. Try that a few times. If that went well, next step is walk her … Read more
There’s a difference between a puppy nipping because he hasn’t learned bite control yet, a dog aggressively going after someone and biting them, and an old dog that bites due to stress, anxiety, pain or vision loss. If your senior dog suddenly starts biting, I highly recommend you schedule a vet visit as soon as … Read more
It’s a pretty common problem to see senior dogs waking up in the middle of the night, or spending their nights pacing and restless. Not only is it rough on our dogs, it’s also rough on us when we lose sleep, affecting mood and the ability to function well. There are several reasons why your … Read more
What could be more heart breaking than watching a dog cry and panic when left alone? Running from room to room, frantically looking for his people and not finding them. There are varying degrees of this behavior known as separation anxiety, ranging from mild discomfort to literally ripping the house apart. If your dog suffers … Read more
It’s heart breaking seeing our older dogs stressed and nervous, and not knowing how to help. The good news is, there are options! Some of the natural options you may want to look into include Rescue Remedy, Valerian, Adaptil, a Thundershirt, acupuncture and the best dog calming music that worked for us – Through a … Read more
While nothing can replace a nice walk or hike in the fresh air, it’s good to know your dog can still get a great workout indoors. From walking your dog around a big box pet supply store, to setting up an obstacle course in your living room, these are just two ideas to ensure your … Read more
Toys help dogs learn, they tire them out, prevent boredom, help with anxiety and they’re fun. Many old dogs do love to play with toys, a fact confirmed by a recent survey I did of senior dog parents. Many old dogs also have no interest in toys, another fact confirmed by that same survey. Some … Read more