So your dog is getting older and slower.

It’s a natural part of the ageing process that we tend to worry about a little too much as dog owners.

We have the habit of changing our habits before our dogs show signs of changing theirs.

Senior dogs often have the same zest for life that they always did. They love to exercise, cuddle and play.

Read on for ideas to channel your pooch’s inner puppy.

1. Learn something new

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? Wrong!

It’s a common misconception that your dog's curiosity and thirst for novelty change as soon as they grow their first grey whisker.

On the contrary, older dogs often love to explore new places, learn new things and meet new people.

Just look at the older dogs who adapt to life with reduced eyesight or hearing to know that an old dog absolutely has the capability to learn and grow.

Learning something new could involve a new trick. It could also involve new toys, environments or social circles.

The advice is to keep things fresh as it does bring out your dog’s playfulness and excitement for the world.

2. Ditch the fetch

Though old dogs may love fetch, it’s not the best for ageing bones.

Like humans, dogs often have reduced mobility in their joints which can lead to arthritis and/or loss of bone density.

When your pup gallantly leaps into the air to fetch that frisbee, ball or rope toy, they may feel like they're flying until they come crashing down.

That harsh impact is not good for your dog’s joints.

If your dog loves retrieving, try rolling tennis balls to retrieve or playing football instead. It’s a lower-impact way of playing a retrieval game that they’ll still enjoy.

3. Engage your dog’s senses

Some old dogs can lose their sight, smell or hearing. Not to worry – use the senses that your dog has to play some novel games with them.

• If your dog has a keen sense of smell but faltering sight, snuffle mats are amazing. They are typically colourful mats made of felt with plenty of pockets to hide treats. Your dog uses their sense of smell to sniff out their treasure.
• Is the smell sense going but hearing is great? Try playing hide and seek with a squeak toy. All you need to do is hide in your house somewhere. Use the squeak toy and call their name to help your dog find you. Reward them with a treat at the end.
• Not much sight, smell or hearing? Try lick mats. They engage the sense of touch and your dog’s foraging instinct to ‘win’ the game. Engaging your dog’s senses helps you innovate the way you play while also mentally stimulating them.

4. Try some light agility

If your dog is up to it, agility training can be incredibly fun. You don’t have to do those huge jumps and see-saws you see on televised dog shows. Jumps could cause the same issues as fetch after all.

Instead, try at-home agility kits to create easy agility courses around your house.

Weave poles and rings are great for dogs of all ages as your dog can go at their own pace.

Slower dogs with reduced mobility can walk through a ring and that’s a wonderful achievement.

More mobile senior pups might be able to run through your obstacle course and beat record times.

It’s a fun activity for all the family that you can adapt to your dog’s needs.

5. Play with puzzles for dogs

A common low-impact game for senior dogs is the humble puzzle.

There is a wide variety of puzzle games on the market that play to your dog’s mental capabilities.

You can start your puzzle journey with easy sliding puzzles to reveal hidden treats.

Eventually, you can work your way up to playing doggy sudoku with more sophisticated puzzle toys.

Your dog may be a little slower but their brains can still be sharp. By incorporating puzzle games into your play, you can avoid worsening symptoms of doggy dementia and fight off boredom.

6. Take your dog swimming

Swimming is an excellent low-impact sport for senior dogs because it doesn’t affect your dog’s joints too much.

Even some arthritic dogs enjoy swimming because of that weightless feeling in the water.

Of course, this depends on your dog’s tastes. Not all dogs enjoy water or swimming.

But if your pup is a water baby at heart, the occasional dip can be fun. You can make their swim even more entertaining by playing water games with them such as volleyball.

As you can see, you have so many ways to enrich your senior dog’s life and bring out their playful nature.

Your dog is still the lighthearted, joyful pup they used to be. Adapt your play to accommodate their physical needs and you’ll surely see them thrive.

Story: Olivia De Santos

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