Aging to Perfection
As a trainer and applied animal behaviorist, the bulk of my business is working with humans who just adopted a puppy, adolescent or young adult dog. And that makes sense because this population of dogs is typically going to display issues that the average person does not have the knowledge to change, so they call a professional. And for the human whose dog is a senior, while they may call because of a sudden behavior issue such as having potty accidents in the home or some reactivity to a stimuli that previously had not elicited a response, very few call because they want to train their old dog (even if you can teach him new tricks)!
I think there is a stigma about older dogs, just like there is about older humans, much of which is ingrained into our culture. The message is that we are no longer relevant at a certain age. It’s sad when humans buy into that expectation for themselves or for their dog because in reality, while we cannot stop ourselves or our companion animals from aging, we certainly have a choice to some extent how we age.
Contrary to what most people think, we do not lose muscle because we are getting older, but rather because we stop trying to build muscle! Our dogs are the same and if the dog owner stops doing activities because they think the dog can no longer participate, this becomes a fulfilled expectation.
Your dog’s senior years, just like ours, are a time to embrace. It’s a time to reinvent; it’s a time to stop dreading the inevitable, but rather be present to what is now. Start with small steps today. Find out what your dog likes and do it! Toss a toy, but instead of 15 minutes, do 5 minutes. Engage his senses by allowing him to sniff to his hearts content on walks. Make a comfy safe place for naps and feed him from a problem-solving puzzle. Gently brush his coat; place non-skid runners on slippery surfaces, so he feels secure walking through the home. Get a senior health screening so you don’t mistake a sudden behavior change as “Just old age”.
Betty White passed away last December, just shy of her her 100th birthday. As I watched the montage of photos beginning with her baby pics and ending with a video of her at 99 years old, I was struck, not only by how fast a life appears to fly, but also the physical changes. Yet this actress defied the odds and remained mentally sharp, physically active and worked in her profession long after others, of a certain age, were no longer relevant in Hollywood.
I’ve been reflecting on my own life’s montage lately, realizing that while I obviously have no control over aging, I can choose (to some degree) how I get there. So it is in that vain that my senior dogs and I begin this journey together to increase the likelihood of staying healthy, active, physically strong and mentally nimble.
No longer will I waste precious time worrying that my dogs are getting a little gray around the muzzle, that they don’t move as quickly as they used to or that they sleep a little longer. With the help of my veterinarian who is a holistic senior-care specialist, I can provide my seniors with excellent nutrition, eliminate the pain from their stiff joints, strengthen their muscles with balancing exercises and engage their brains with problem-solving mental agility.
There’s no magic crystal ball that can forecast how long any of us will be here, but we can revel in the idea that we are not getting old, but rather aging to perfection!
HAPPY TRAINING & ENRICHMENT
© Fran Berry CPDT-KA, UW-AAB all rights reserved 2022
