In Honor of Senior Dog month, and because I have a Senior dog 💗, I thought I would share a few ideas I’ve come up with to keep Twister active and happy as he ages. Just because your dog is getting up there in years doesn’t mean they have to become a couch potato. In fact, keeping your senior dog active is important for their overall health and happiness. Here are a few ideas for activities you can do with your four-legged friend to keep them engaged and loving life.
My Top 5 Fun Senior Dog Activities
1. Go exploring. As your dog gets older, they may not be able to handle long walks or runs like they used to. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some quality time together outdoors. Take things slow and let them stop to smell the roses (ok, the pee mail, but same concept 🐶). Check out some new trails or neighborhoods. This is a great way to get some exercise while also stimulating their senses with new sights and smells.
2. Play brain games. Just like people, dogs can benefit from a good mental workout. Try hiding treats around the house and giving them a little scavenger hunt. Or get a puzzle toy that encourages them to think critically in order to get the reward. I love this shaping game to keep my dogs mentally sharp and tire them out in the bad weather when outdoor activity might be limited.
3. Take them with you when you run errands around town (weather permitting of course). I like to take my dogs to Marketstreet Lynnfield, an outdoor mall with dozens of stores that welcome dogs and a Polkadog bakery to pick up some awesome treats. Or grab them a “puppuccino” at your local coffee shop while you grab your morning coffee. Not only are these fun activities to do together, but it’s also a great way to socialize your senior dog — something that’s important for dogs of all ages.
4. Have some “senior playdates.” While most senior dogs have no interest in hitting the dog park (it’s kinda like the club scene for dogs and most of our seniors have outgrown that craziness). But getting together with their doggie friends is still important. My dogs love romping on the beach or in the woods with their dog and human friends This will give your dog a chance to keep fit and have some fun.
5. Teach them some new tricks (or brush up on old ones). Dogs of all ages love learning — and it’s never too late to start! Whether you teach them how to roll over or simply brush up on their basic training, teaching your old dog some new tricks is a great way to keep their minds sharp as they age. Not only that, but it gives you both something fun and rewarding to focus on together—and who knows, maybe you’ll even end up impressing your friends and family in the process!
What do you and your old dog like to do together? Drop your favorite idea in the comments, Twister is always looking for more fun stuff to do 😊. So let’s get out there and have some fun with our long-time friends. They’ll love us even more for it!
