Let's face it - dogs just don't live long enough.
They worm their way into our lives and our hearts, fill us with love and joy for 10 - 15 years on average and then they're gone.
And a lot of them develop age related problems maybe even several years before their time is up.
Great Danes don't usually live longer than 8 or 9 years.
But I have a friend whose purebred Great Dane lived to the ripe old age of 13.
I believe it was because she was so faithful in walking that dog up until he could no longer walk.
Just like humans, dogs need exercise to stay healthy.
But what do you do when your dog develops arthritis or hip problems and can no longer go for walks? Do you just let her lay around the house with nothing to do but sleep? If your dog can't get regular exercise, you still need to provide mental stimulation for her.
There are several ways to accomplish this.
1.
Provide mentally intriguing toys, such as Kong toys or others that will spill out a treat or kibble every couple of rolls.
Even a dog who is not too mobile could enjoy rolling a toy across the floor for a few treats.
2.
Read out loud to your dog.
I know, it sounds silly, but dogs love to hear our voices - unless, of course, your dog is deaf! I once gained a fearful dog's trust by simply sitting out in the yard with her and reading out loud.
I believe our voices have a calming effect on dogs, especially those who may be distressed over not being able to get around like they used to.
This might actually be better for dogs who seem TOO mentally stimulated and can't seem to relax.
3.
Take your dog for a ride in a bicycle dog trailer, or if it is a small dog, take it in a bicycle dog basket.
This is a great way for your dog to be mentally stimulated by the sights and smells along the way.
It's also beneficial in giving your dog some quality time with you.
Our dogs see us as a part of their pack and would much rather keep the pack together by going with us, than staying at home alone.
When you get to a park or grassy area, you can stop for a while so your dog can get a drink and relieve herself and enjoy smelling all the awesome new smells.
You might even find your dog seemingly younger-acting during these jaunts.
4.
Play games with your senior dog.
One such game involves shredding up newspaper, putting it in something like a shoebox, hiding a treat under the newspaper pieces and letting your dog find it.
Once your dog has the hang of it, you can even hide the shoe box somewhere with the treat inside and have your dog find it and get the treat.
5.
Hopefully by this time in your senior dog's life, you have him or her on a regular feeding schedule of twice a day rather than free feeding.
Food is a great mental stimulator.
Dogs have a sense of time and know when it's time for a meal.
Meal time is exciting and gives them something to look forward to.
6.
Take your dog with you when you run to town on errands, weather permitting.
Please never take your dog with you on a hot day if you would have to leave her in the car for any length of time.
A dog can succumb to heat stroke within a matter of minutes.
But if it's a cool day and you're running errands, take your dog along and maybe even stop at your local pet shop and take her inside for a special treat.
The sights and smells in any pet shop are especially mentally stimulating.
7.
Even old dogs can learn new tricks.
Work on teaching a few obedience commands such as "roll over" or "play dead".
These can be taught by using a clicker.
Basic clicker training is easy to learn and fun to use to teach your dog obedience and tricks.
You would have to use your own discretion on this, though, since some dogs do seem to lose some brain function in their later years and may not understand what you are trying to teach.
But if he or she already knows some obedience or trick commands, throwing one out there every now and then will help keep your dog mentally alert.
8.
Hide treats or kibbles around the house so your dog can find them, as long as he or she is not overweight.
This is definitely mentally stimulating since they will have to use their sense of smell and sight to find the kibbles.
Anything involving food for most dogs is something to get excited about.
So, even though your dog may be getting up in years and slowing down physically, it is still important to keep his or her brain stimulated and functioning as much as possible.
Physical exercise is also very important, even if it has to be at a slower pace than in younger years.
Keep your dog active, both physically and mentally and you may actually help extend the quality of life for both of you!