Article about Old Dogs

Understanding Old Dogs

Puppies will often misbehave or exhibit behavior problems simply because they don't yet understand the rules. With older dogs, however, it's often a different case. Many dogs develop behavioral changes as they get older, anything from separation anxiety to aggression. While you may see your older dog as 'misbehaving', it's usually not because he doesn't understand the rules like a puppy, but more often because he is unable to follow them for some reason or another.

One of the most common behavior problems to occur in older dogs is separation anxiety. As dogs age, they often have a decreased ability to cope with change and can be more anxious due to vision or hearing loss. There are many things that you can do to help combat separation anxiety. For instance, teaching your dog to relax in a 'stay' for extended periods of time while you're home can help him learn to relax when you're gone. You can also associate your departure with something good by giving him a toy or other treat as you leave.

Aggression can also occur with older dogs. It's important that you have your older dog checked by your veterinarian if he's showing new signs of aggression. There are many medical problems which can lead to aggression, such as those which cause pain like arthritis, diseases which effect the nervous system, and vision and hearing loss. In addition, stresses like a move or new pet can also lead to irritability and aggression. In these cases, it's important to determine what is triggering the aggression in order to deal with it.

Dogs who have been housebroken for years often begin having accidents as they get older. Again, because medical conditions can be to blame, have your older dog checked by your veterinarian. There are some medical conditions like bladder stones and colitis which can result in an increased frequency to urinate, and others like arthritis and vision loss that may make going outside to urinate more difficult or painful. Once you determine the cause, you can then deal with problem. If going outside has become more difficult for your pet, a ramp may help. If a medical problem is resulting in an increased frequency to urinate, treating the medical problem or simply increasing the number of times your dog is taken out may help.

Many old dogs develop an increased sensitivity to noise because, as they age, they may be less able to manage stress or to remove themselves from the sources of noise because of immobility. Cognitive dysfunction can also be to blame. The best approach is to determine the noises that are affecting your dog and then treat him using desensitization, counterconditioning or even medication. For instance, once you've determine that a certain noise, such as thunder, is causing a fear response, try to desensitize your dog to thunder. One good approach is play a recording of thunder at a very low volume level, rewarding your dog when he doesn't respond with fear, and then gradually increasing the volume over several days or weeks and rewarding him appropriately.

Old dogs often bark, whine or howl more often than they used to. Cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety can be to blame, or this may simply be a means for your dog to get your attention. Again, it's best to determine the cause of the increased vocalization in order to treat it. Medication may be necessary. Otherwise, if it's related to separation anxiety you must treat the separation anxiety. If your dog is barking for your attention, you may simply need to give him more attention.

Changes in sleep pattern are common behavioral changes in older dogs, resulting in nocturnal restlessness, pacing or even barking or whining. There can be many causes for this, including neurological conditions, pain, hearing or vision loss, an increased need to urinate or defecate, and even changes in appetite. It's important to treat any medical conditions that may be causing this. Otherwise, make sure that your dog is comfortable at night. If he has pain from arthritis, an orthopedic dog bed may help.

It's believed that some 62% of dogs over the age of ten experience symptoms characteristic of canine cognitive dysfunction, or CCD. These symptoms can include the following: confusion or disorientation; changes in sleep patterns or inability to sleep; having accidents in the house; decrease in activity level; decrease in attention level; and/or inability to recognize family and friends. Many of these symptoms can have other causes, such as a decreased activity level caused by arthritis. If you suspect that your dog's behavioral changes may be a result of CCD, have him checked by your veterinarian. He may recommend a treatment for this disorder.

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