If you have an older dog, you’re probably adapting how you care for it. Consciously or unconsciously, we tend to be more cautious with our older pups, and sometimes, it makes us sad to see how they are changing.
While your senior dog will likely never show that puppy exuberance again, that doesn’t mean your aging dog has abandoned play.
Instead, owners need to recognize why their dog’s play style may change, adapt, and find new ways to help senior dogs play.
While some senior dogs stop playing, some remain playful. You need to make some changes to accommodate their new play style.
Here’s how!
Old dogs can learn new tricks
The first prevailing myth about old dogs is that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
False! New dogs have an excellent capacity for learning new things if you have the patience to teach them.
People tend to take this old saying to heart and not change things up with their dogs.
When you stimulate your dog and encourage it to learn new games and tricks, there are other ways to expand its horizons.
You can help older dogs be curious and excited about the world by taking it on new walks, meeting new people, and playing with new dogs.
It’s not uncommon for older dogs to change their temperament when they get older.
If they were once aloof with other dogs, they might like them now!
Used to get annoyed with toddlers and children? They suddenly fall in love with them.
Never underestimate your dog’s ability to learn and grow. Teach your dog and stimulate it by changing environments and teaching it new things.
Be mindful of your dog’s aging body
So that’s about the aging mind, but what about your dog’s aging body?
Many older dogs can suffer from joint pain, hearing loss, sight loss, and weight gain. On the other end, you have dogs with arthritis and heart conditions to understand.
Your dog can lose bone density and experience reduced mobility with joints and bones.
That’s why games like fetch or frisbee aren’t good for playing with your senior dog. The impact of jumping into the air to catch the flying object can hugely damage your dog’s joints. It can be painful, too.
Certain games no longer work if your dog somehow loses their senses or shows signs of fatigue.
Don’t worry! Here are some ideas for changing how you play to suit your dog’s new stage of life and accommodate your dog’s behavior changes.
Discover new ways to help senior dogs play
If your dog has mobility issues
Playing fetch may be off the roster if your dog suffers from mobility issues, but retrieving dogs can still get the thrill of retrieving with games like hide-and-seek and football.
Keep your football game slow as you roll the ball toward your dog so that they can retrieve it for you.
Dog swimming is also an excellent activity for dogs with joint pain. They’ll feel weightless in the water while still getting great exercise.
If your dog is losing their sight
Whether cataracts cloud your dog’s vision or full-on blindness, managing vision loss can be challenging. Help your dog strengthen its other senses with nose and hearing games.
A snuffle mat is an excellent nose puzzle toy. It is made of patterned cloth with flaps of felt to create intricate designs.
The felt has pockets where you can hide treats for your dog to find. Your dog’s task is to sniff out the treats to get the reward.
If your dog is losing their hearing
Hearing loss is expected with older dogs, so you must ensure the games you play are nearby.
You won’t be able to use your voice to prompt your dog to do tricks or follow you.
One puzzle game you can try is a lick mat. Lick mats are similar to snuffle mats but are made of rubber.
They have a mini obstacle course you lace with a spreadable treat like peanut butter or pate. Your dog then needs to lick around it to get its treat.
Puzzle games, in general, are great for deaf dogs and senior dogs. Most are blocks where you hide a treat under a sliding piece, and your dog needs to move the pieces to discover the treasure.
Different difficulty levels exist so you can progress from two-piece puzzles to doggy sudoku.
If your dog is losing their sense of smell
Scent games may be frustrating if your dog loses its sense of smell. Instead, consider playing hide-and-seek with a squeaky toy.
Hide around your house with a squeaky toy.
Squeeze the toy to give your dog a clue where you’re hiding. When they find you, reward them with treats and cuddles.
If your dog is still mobile but tires easily
Try at-home agility if your dog is getting older but seems fit and healthy. Using gestures and treats, you can guide your dog through a mini agility course.
Weave poles and slides are best for older dogs. If your dog is up to it, you can try jumps, too.
Dog agility is super fun and engages the mind in new ways, providing physical and mental stimulation.
Recognize signs of stress and discomfort
Recognizing signs of discomfort or stress in senior dogs during play is crucial for their well-being.
Some signs of discomfort or stress in senior dogs include excessive panting, reluctance to move, whining, yelping, or signs of aggression.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to adjust play activities accordingly.
Here are some tips for adjusting play activities to accommodate your senior dog’s behavior changes:
Monitor their body language
Watch for signs of stiffness, lameness, or any change in posture during play.
Choose low-impact activities
To reduce stress on their joints and muscles, they should opt for gentle activities such as leisurely walks, easygoing fetch, or swimming.
Provide mental stimulation
Incorporate interactive toys, puzzle games, or nose work to engage their minds without putting too much physical strain on their bodies.
Take breaks
Allow plenty of rest breaks during play sessions to prevent overexertion and fatigue.
Consider their sensory changes
If your senior dog has impaired vision or hearing, adjust play activities, such as using toys with different sensory stimuli, to accommodate their needs.
By recognizing signs of discomfort and adjusting play activities accordingly, you can ensure that your senior dog stays safe and comfortable and enjoys their playtime.
Bottom line: Help senior dogs play
There are so many ways to play with your senior dog!
Enrich their lives by playing games and introducing them to new environments and faces.
Your dog is still a playful puppy at heart. If you follow the tips in this article, you can unlock that playful side again.
Olivia De Santos is an animal lover, professional writer, and canine care video content creator. She loves spending time with her senior dogs, Blue and Pip, and writing pieces to help people become better dog owners.