This is Now 

As we move into the present there is no doubt that Fonzy is still the very best dog. However,  there have been marked changes not only in his physical abilities but his personality as well. He doesn’t wear the trademark gray muzzle of many geriatric dogs mostly because his coat is all white but there are other signs of change that were at once harder to see but also conspicuously obvious. Some changes were so subtle in the beginning stages that they were much harder to identify until they became more advanced. The following sections outline the changes that have most affected our family.

Vision

He no longer sees well out of his right eye. I strongly suspect that his depth perception has also been significantly impaired as he has difficulty navigating the bottom stair where it meets the hardwood floor. He just recently started to stumble on the last stair. He is now very reluctant to navigate the stairs, especially going down. (Don’t worry- the next section will discuss what we did to modify the environment to make it easier for him to remain as independent as possible.) 

Hearing

While not completely deaf, his hearing is significantly impaired. He can still hear very high pitched sounds and he definitely can feel the vibration of sound. This change happened slowly and over time and became very noticeable when he stopped greeting us happily at the door. This also means that he startles very easily since he often doesn’t hear the approach of people, dogs, or things. 

Smell

Remembering that this is a dog who took formal nosework classes and has a NW1 Title from the NACSW, it would appear that his sense of smell is still finely acute. In fact, as his other senses have declined with age, it seems like he relies more heavily on his strong snoot skills. Where once he would listen for the sound of food containers, pantries being opened or closed or would keenly watch us as we navigated towards any source of something he considered either appetitive or something he would rather not, he now navigates those situations by smell. 

Play 

Fonzy was a very playful pup from the moment he entered our house until this past year. I already mentioned the obscene number of toys that he has in his toy bin (ok, bins) and on most days at least a dozen of them would be strewn about the house. He also loved to train, to zoom, to search for us when we hid and to burrow under his blankies and burrow his way back out again. All of these things have reduced significantly. I can’t remember the last time he interacted with a toy in a playful manner. He might on occasion pick one up and carry it for a few steps and even rarer still he might chase after a tossed one a time or two but that doesn’t even occur on a monthly basis anymore. 

Activity 

As previously mentioned, Fonzy was an active dog. He loved to be moving and jumping and climbing and walking and running and training and searching. He no longer jumps or climbs, rarely runs, and while he likes to still walk he goes for much shorter distances. Much of this is related to a combination of changes in his mobility and/or due to osteoarthritis. 

Sociability

I’ve already mentioned that Fonzy was an affable fellow who enjoyed meeting new people. While I wouldn’t say that has significantly changed, he doesn’t really solicit interactions with people that we run into on walks anymore. And while I would never have called him a love slob (as in love me now and don’t ever stop) he enjoyed cuddles when he was in the mood. There has been a pretty seismic shift in how much he wants to be petted or touched. Less is definitely more these days, you know? 

Sleep changes

Sleep was on a very reliable and predictable schedule in our house. I suppose in part due to me also needing structured routines and habits. The biggest change in Fonzy’s sleep, which was always “easy” for us all, was that instead of settling down at night, he started to wander in the evenings…a lot. He’d wander/pace from about 4:00-8:00 every night. And he would bark. Oh my, did he ever bark. He barked for food, he’d bark for food again, and when he was done with that, he did it again for good measure. To be honest, this was the most disruptive thing for us to deal with as a family. We have it mostly figured out now and it is a welcome relief for this sound sensitive human’s ears. 

Cognitive changes

Fonzy was sharp and easy to train. He enjoyed the learning process and was all in when the treat pouch came out to play. He honestly couldn’t get enough. He also did a really good job with problem solving and figuring out food puzzles and the like. There really was no challenge that he wouldn’t eagerly accept. I have been watching a slow decline in his desire to engage with learning, especially in the past year. He is not as eager and his attention seems to drift. You know how I said that he used to love to burrow under the blankets and then find his way back out? He still loves to do that but he can no longer find his way out. He gets lost in the burrow and barks for help to extricate himself from the blankets. That is a big ole change in his cognitive function. What was once habitual and easy is no longer the case. He also no longer seems to know how to get out of the way when we open the door for him to exit. He will just stand in front of the door until I get down on his level and encourage him to move.

What I Did to Help My Boy 

There are plenty of other examples I could provide but I think you get the picture. I had spent enough time observing the changes in his behavior and now I needed to put my observations into practice and make the necessary adjustments to help us all live more harmoniously. Here are the changes that I have made that have been most impactful: 

• Frequent vet visits. Changes in behavior can signify changes in health and with a geriatric dog I can all but guarantee that as age increases, health decreases. Get your senior and geriatric pets to a vet, stat. If possible, proactively start getting your pet checked out by your vet at least twice a year so that you have a good baseline comparison for the cognitive/physical changes that are sure to come. Plus, there are medications that can be prescribed for anxiety and cognitive decline so making sure your vet is an active member of your pet’s team is highly recommended. Build that relationship now so that your vet knows your pet almost as well as you do! 
• Meeting needs first. Old ain’t dead and geriatric pets have plenty of needs that should still be met. They may look different due to age and changing ability but they still exist. Here are some ways that I meet Fonzy’s needs with modifications:

1. Stairs for getting on and off our bed. We started this a few years ago and I am so thrilled that we did. This addresses not only safety and security but also gives him as much independence as possible. As far as the stairs from the first floor to the second, he thankfully barks when he needs assistance and we come running to help like the highly trained humans we are. 
2. He loves to chew but no longer has the teeth or the power to chew bully sticks (a previous favorite) but he does well with No Hide Chews so that is what he gets now. He also does better with us holding it for him so we are now bestowed with the title of Official Holders of Chewy Things. We must never let go, lest the title be rescinded. 
3. If I need to move or touch him, I try to get on his level so that he can see where my hand is coming from before I do. Same with picking him up. I taught him a cue for picking up a long time ago that has been exceptionally helpful as long as he can see me first. 
4. For the changes in sleep I have trialed and evaluated which enrichment activities help him settle easier in the evening. Right now our evening routine includes 5-10 min. of snuffling or scatter feeding followed by a lick mat session for as long as he wants to engage. This, along with medication has reduced his pacing/wandering by a good 80%. 
5. We still do nose work. He loves it and it is the one thing that doesn’t seem to have been impacted much by age. It’s a great way for him to use his cognition so it is still a steadfast part of our routine. 
6. We still go on sniffaris but they are reduced in length. He directs where we go and how long we stay. It’s his walk, not mine and I am 100% ok with that because he is still the very best boy!

I hope by my sharing these simple yet effective strategies, you can start to modify your own home environment to better suit your geriatric pet’s needs. Even if you don’t currently share your life with a more “seasoned” pup, it is never too early to start preparing for the inevitable day when you do. 

Now What? 

• If you haven’t already done so, establish a relationship with a local vet so that they have records of changes to your pup’s health and cognition and so that you can proactively prepare for your pet’s aging as a team. 
• Observe and keep a diary or log of your pet’s baseline behaviors and mobility so that you can notice any changes that occur. 
• I know this is going to sound a little “out there” but getting down on the floor and experiencing the world from your senior pet’s perspective can really help you understand how they experience and navigate their world. 
• Think about changes that your pet has been exhibiting and get curious about it. Are there things you can modify that will help your pet maintain or regain their independence? 
• Don’t forget to take care of you too! Living with a geriatric pet who is experiencing a lot of physical and cognitive changes can be tough so make sure you are still finding the time to do the things you enjoy! 
• We are here to help! If you are currently living with a geriatric pet and are feeling “stuck” asking for help and guidance is always recommended! 

Happy Training! 

MaryKaye