The Dog Years
The Older Dog
Your newborn pup grows into an adolescent dog who matures into an adult dog, and continues to age until he reaches senior dog status. The stage at which this happens is dependent on the breed and their life expectancy. Smaller dogs generally live longest, with a life expectancy of 15 years or more, while giant breeds typically don't live as long. As your dog enters his senior years you will notice that her sleeping patterns change, her activity will decrease, she may have trouble moving around, and she may be less interested in the people and activity in the home.
Your dog may begin to exhibit problem behaviors that are out of character. This does not mean he is experiencing senility and has forgotten his training. He may simply be unable to act differently because of age-related pain or the confusion and fear that accompanies decreasing senses, such as vision and hearing.
Decreased mobility may be due to a health condition such as arthritis, and less interest in the happenings of the home may be because he can't see or hear things as he used to, so he is less aware of what's going on around him. Spend more time with your dog, and include him as much as his energy level and interest dictates. Separation anxiety is common to the older dog, particularly if there have been changes in the home. Older dogs are more set in their ways, and not as adaptable as before. They may have trouble dealing with changes that disrupt their routine, and may fear being alone because their deteriorating senses make them feel more vulnerable. The best way to deal with this is to make your departure and returns calm and matter-of-fact, regardless of the anxiety-based behavior your dog exhibits. When you return home, wait until he is calm before petting or talking to him at all. You will be tempted to sooth him in an attempt to calm him, but this only communicates to him that the anxiety he feels is valid and therefore will prolong his behavior.
Try to arrange for some company for your dog at home. Your dog may start to bark more than before, whether you are home or not. Barking when you are away may be a symptom of separation anxiety, but it is also seen in older dogs who don't experience this. It makes sense: if their sight and hearing are not what they were, they can't identify potential threats as easily, they may bark to repel what could be a danger, people, other animals, even furniture. House training accidents are also common in older dogs. It can be another symptom of separation anxiety or be due to decreased mobility.
Aggression is often seen in older dogs, even if they lived the majority of their life as the most docile dog. Barking and growling are defense mechanisms that become especially important if your dog can no longer rely on his sense of hearing or sight. They may also be in pain, so growling or snapping could be a way of keeping you from touching those areas. At the first sign of aggression, take your dog for a check up to determine if there is a problem you may not know about. You want your old pal to be comfortable.
Your dogs sleeping patterns may change. He may sleep more often or he may be up at night. Pain can be something that could keep him up. The frequent need to urinate that accompanies old age may also be keeping him up at night. Senior dogs are also more sensitive to hard surfaces, colder temperatures, and drafts, so make sure he has a soft bed to sleep on and the temperature is comfortable.
Aging and Death
When we live with a dog for many years, we inevitably have to watch them age. Dogs have a shorter life cycle than we do. This can be a heartbreaking time for dog owners and families. Life teaches us that aging and death are part of nature. Dogs celebrate life, and they'er okay with death. In fact, they are much better with death than we are.
When a dog gets cancer he does not perceive his illness the same way we do. We'll feel sorry for our dog and flood it with sad, mourning energy every time we look at her. That very energy does nothing but create a negative environment for your dog. Your dog is not thinking "I've got only six months to live, I should have done more with my life!" Dogs live in the moment, regardless of whether they have cancer or not. Their natural wisdom can help us find comfort when we are facing our own human frailty and death. No matter how dire their situation, dogs keep living in the moment every single day of their lives. If one dog in a two-dog household dies, of course the other dog will mourn the one who passed away. But it's natural for that dog to then move on to his normal balance, in a fairly short time.
The decision to put a dog down when they are suffering is one of the hardest ones we can face. This highly personal decision, in the end, comes down to your own conscience, spiritual beliefs, and your private connection with your dog. The best wisdom I can offer you in such a painful situation is that when your dog finally passes, he/she has probably lived a full life, and has savored every moment of his life. He left with no unfinished business, no regrets. Humans need grief counseling in order to stop projecting onto their dog their own unwillingness to move on.
A New Dog
Be sure not to bring in a new dog too soon after the passing of your old dog. If a new dog is brought in when grieving is still going on, you are introducing it to only sad weak energy. To a dog it is negative energy, no strong pack leader. When your new dog senses this vacuum he will find a way to take over and trouble begins.
As difficult as it may be, I advise you wait a little while after a pet dies before you bring in a new one. Wait until you're ready to open the curtains, let the light in, and laugh again. Then you will be ready once again to be the pack leader, and to provide a healthy, balanced home for the new dog in your life.
