March News
Caring for Our Aging Doodles
Winston, my 14-year-old mini sproodle, is beginning to show some signs of aging. In this edition. I'm sharing some of his challenges and some common aging dog challenges and practical solutions to keep your doodle happy and healthy:
Joint Pain & Mobility Issues.
Winston, now 14, still bursts with energy, doing his zoomies through the house twice daily. I refuse to curb his enthusiasm; these zoomies have been his daily joy since puppyhood. My goal is to ensure they're as safe as possible. Yet, when his energy burst subsides, I notice his legs trembling and occasional difficulty maintaining his balance, especially when he's eating. I am aware of prescription medications for arthritis, but I'm not comfortable with the side effects for his minimal level of arthritis.
To help him with arthritis and decreased stability,
Rugs with non-slip padding where he walks and under his food and water dishes.
He also has a comfy orthopedic bed and a glucosamine supplement.
I ensure his path is well-lit and clear of scattered chew toys to prevent tripping.
Cognitive Decline.
A friend's schnauzer is experiencing senior moments. Her dog will be in the yard and appear to gaze off as though she doesn't know where she is. Once her human gets her attention, the dog snaps back. You must be cautious, especially if you don't have a fenced yard.
Maintain a consistent routine.
Engage in brain games.
Consider vet-recommended supplements to support brain health.
Weight Management is a common problem in senior dogs.
It's not one I've had to deal with. My house dogs have eaten Taste of the Wild for 14 years. They free-feed, and all have maintained their weight perfectly. I need a bowl of kibble. My dogs get one treat or chew daily, and weight has never been an issue. If this is a problem for your dogs, here are some suggestions.
Adjust portions. Food and treats
Substitute ¼ of their kibble with an equal amount of canned low-sodium green beans – stir with one spoon of canned food to entice eating yucky beans.
Switch to senior-specific diets.
Encourage low-impact exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
I have not switched to the “fresh” or “freeze dried” foods due to their high protein content which can be a strain on aging kidneys.
I will add water to Winston’s food to make it easier to chew if he has difficulty.
Winston is experiencing some Hearing Loss.
Winston knows hand signals for commands and has the other dogs to follow.
If he's outside and I want to get his attention, I flash the porch light, daytime requires walking to him if he doesn’t notice the other dogs heading towards the house.
If Winston is outside the fenced yard, he's on a leash because he can't hear a car.
Interesting, he hears me unwrap a treat.
Dental Health Decline
Aging dogs are more prone to dental disease, which can lead to pain and infections. I have a tartar cleaner from Amazon. It doesn't provide the same quality as a dental cleaning from the vet, but it does help and doesn't require sedation.
Brush their teeth regularly and offer dental chews to maintain oral health.
Potty Mishaps
As dogs age, they may experience an increased urgency for bathroom breaks and/or incontinence. Recently, I've noticed Winston becoming more urgent when it's 'time to go.' He'll let me know, and I must act quickly to avoid accidents.
Using crates when I can't supervise.
Removing access to food and water earlier in the evening
Doggie diapers and waterproof bedding are a must when incontinence is the issue.
Rocco and Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator
A blue light flashlight for inspections.
I haven't had to make significant adjustments, just some minor tweaks to help Winston continue to enjoy his zoomies.
Indoor activities
We've been having a blast with a few indoor activities this winter, some of which we've done before and some of which are new.
Hide and seek.
We began with several empty boxes of sizes - 6-8 total.
Place the boxes relatively close together on the floor and hide treats in several of them.
It's a thrill to watch your dog's excitement as they discover the hidden treats. With their keen sense of smell, the treats are found in no time.
These activities are not set in stone. You can adapt them to your dog's skill level and interest. Start with the dog watching, then progress to having them out of the room while the treats are loaded. As the 'search' skill advances, add lids, turn the boxes on their side then upside down, and move containers to different rooms.
Some dogs will play for a piece of kibble, not mine. A dehydrated liver is generally an enticement for all.
Obstacle Course
This year, we decided to add hurdles and hoops to our indoor play. I found some great sets at Amazon. My guys loved the challenge, but Tula, our more laid-back girl, was less enthusiastic. If she could roll her eyes, she probably would have at the sight of the obstacles!
I found suggestions for using chairs, for me, the ready made sets were easier.
Some challenges were more intimidating, for example, the tunnel was a 'no-go' for my older dogs, but the puppies had a blast. It's important to introduce them to these activities when they're young, so they're more likely to enjoy them as they get older.
Of course, playing fetch with balls rolled on the floor is a great indoor activity.
We introduced a couple of interactive wooden dog puzzles years ago. The dogs all lost interest as soon as the treats were discovered. The toys that hold a cup of kibble to allow entertainment while working for their meal are great for young dogs. My older dogs know I'm well trained, and they wait for the bowl.
Nursery News
We’re now accepting deposits for our two new goldendoodle litters.
Ginger and Titus have a gorgeous litter of ten F1b goldendoodles. Their Gotcha Day is April 12.
Sofia and Titus have a sweet litter of six F1 goldendoodles. Their Gotcha Day is also April 12.
On the way …
Poppy/Ronan F1 goldendoodles due
Jinx/Cosmo F1 goldendoodles due
Addie/Nico sproodles due
Thankfully, the older puppies will be headed to their new homes before the last litters arrive.
