Swimming
If you live near a dog-friendly pool, beach or lake, swimming is a great way for your senior dog to exercise (for small breeds, a kiddie pool in the backyard may even do the trick). Swimming is very easy on the body, especially the joints, while providing an effective workout, building up endurance and muscle strength. Therefore, it is an excellent form of exercise for dogs who struggle to walk because of joint issues or physical disabilities. In fact, swimming is often used as physical therapy for dogs of all ages after undergoing major surgery.
If your dog is new to swimming, check with your vet before ‘diving in’, to make sure it’s a safe form of exercise for her. Certain breeds, like Bulldogs, aren’t designed to swim and may just sink. Also, dogs with certain medical conditions, such as open wounds or skin infections, may need to avoid the water. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and some really do not like water, if she hasn’t swum before, you’ll need to introduce her to swimming slowly and safely to avoid mishaps.
Remember that no dog should swim without a human close by and observing her at all times. Also, it’s a good idea to have your dog wear a life vest or flotation device, especially in deep water or if she isn’t an advanced swimmer. If using a swimming pool, make sure there are stairs or another easy way for her to get out, to prevent possible drowning. If you have a local dog beach but your dog isn’t keen on swimming in the sea, remember that walking and playing in the shallows and on the sand are also great forms of exercise.
Cross-Training
Cross-training is the use of several modes of exercise to maintain or improve physical fitness. At its most basic, it is simply varying the types of exercise your dog does in order to work certain muscle groups, such as alternately walking and swimming. The advantage of cross-training is that it allows certain areas of the body to rest while you work on building strength or endurance in other areas, so your dog is less likely to suffer an injury. In contrast, doing just one form of exercise over and over can result in overuse of some muscles and underuse of others, causing an imbalance that may lead to an injury.
There are many new and interesting ways to cross-train your dog available these days. Yoga classes for dogs, dog Pilates, and other types of exercise classes are gaining popularity because they provide so many mental and physical benefits to dogs of all ages, and particularly for seniors. Even certain dog sports are suitable for older dogs, providing great exercise as well as lots of fun and mental stimulation. According to the AKA, many senior dogs – comprising more than a third of participants – continue to compete in sporting events such as agility, nosework (scent detection), obedience and diving dogs.
If attending classes and competitions isn’t your thing, there are also many strength and flexibility workouts — canine calisthenics, balance ball routines, stretching, stair climbing, weight pulls —that, if suitable for your dog, can be performed in the comfort of your home. Under your vet’s guidance, you can access websites or YouTube videos that provide instruction on specific exercises that address your dog’s areas of weakness and help to strengthen and condition the affected muscles or joints.
Tailoring the fulfillment formula as a dog ages to fit his needs is something that many humans have a hard time with. It’s no different than the fears we have aging as humans. But this is a natural part of life, and honoring that life is honoring your dog.
Swimming is a fantastic activity for dogs of all ages, but is particularly good for older dogs because it is low-impact and easy on their weakening joints and muscles. Swimming also builds strength, is good for their overall conditioning, and is naturally relaxing and comforting to most dogs. Also, make sure to consult your vet about the best joint health supplement for your dog. I recommend Vetz Petz Antinol because it contains a unique ingredient called PCSO-524 that has been scientifically and clinically tested and proven to support joint health.
When we think of aging, we think of medical conditions. But for many dogs, they age without any sign of illness at all. When Daddy was a senior, he had very little physical desires. He would get tired walking from my house to the neighbor’s house – it was like walking miles and miles for him – and we celebrated that walk the same way we did when he was younger and we’d return from a two-hour Pack Walk.
As he aged, it was not so much about the time spent walking, as it was about allowing him to stay where he wanted to be. This was his revised fulfillment formula. Daddy still wanted to be outside and experience nature, but he didn’t need to do it with the one and two and three year old pups. He could do it right in the back yard.
Nothing is more important than prevention, so it’s important that throughout your dog’s life, you are providing exercise, a nutritious diet, and supplements as needed and recommended by your vet. Alternative medicine treatments, like acupuncture, are becoming increasingly more popular for all kinds of conditions, especially arthritis, which is common in older dogs who have been very active.