Spring 2017 Saber Tails 51
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
ly as youngsters. With this realization, they look to their
owners to give them that sense of security. It’s up to us to
make our elders feel safe and protected. This might come
in the form of a thunder shirt, or a crate kept in a quiet
place where the old dog can hide in a safe place if they
feel the need.
I
t is also common for older dogs to develop separation
anxiety.
Privacy & Socialization
S
ocialization is important for older dogs but so is Pri-
vacy! A safe, private area where they can retreat and
feel completely confident that they are safe and secure is
a must for aging dogs who live in a bustling household.
Older dogs need the ability to get away from young and
crazy pack members (including other dogs and young
children). Place a crate against a wall or in a corner of a
quiet room. The top and sides of the crate should be cov-
ered with the front door left open. Provide soft bedding
for the dog to use for nesting material and make sure the
older dog has access to the room throughout the day. We
use sheets or towels so our girls can fluff the bedding to
their hearts content. If they try to fluff a crate pad, they
can inadvertently end up trapped underneath it.
S
ocialization can also be important. Don’t assume just
because your dog wants to observe the action instead
of participating that they don’t need socialization at all.
It’s good for your elder to meet new dogs and people.
This helps to keep them feeling confident and comfort-
able in new environments.
Training
S
pend time teaching your old dog new tricks. They love
to learn new things and love to have the personal at-
tention they get when you are spending time teaching
them. Be realistic about the types of tricks you want to
teach your old dog and limit the tricks to those that don’t
involve difficult physical maneuvers. Limit the time de-
voted to each session so your dog doesn’t tire out or be-
come frustrated. Then spend time doing what they want
– sit on the couch, snuggle and take rides in the car or
slow walks allowing them plenty of time to sniff.
F
eeling the effects of age is an inevitable part of every
life well lived. With some planning and preparation,
our older dogs can enjoy life well into their middle age
and the senior years.
Resources
“10 Ways to Make Your Old Dog Comfortable” by Cynthia
Foley, Whole Dog Journal, April 2015
“9 Ways to Make Your Senior Dog’s Life Better” by Lori Tay-
lor, I Love Dogs, November 17, 2015
“6 Ways to Comfort Your Senior Dog” by Lisa Spector, Care
2, May 27, 2015
“Old Dogs, New Habits: Ways to Make Senior Dogs More
Comfortable” by Gina Spadafori, vetStreet.com, July 5,
2011
Cont’d from p 34