Dougs getting increasingly infirm and wobbley. He still wants to be involved around the house and with games but cant do much without falling. Anyone out there got any ideas about how to keep him a bit more entertained without him hurting himself he's got khongs and stuff and i do play games with him. His minds still active but his body is failing he can't go out for walks now. He sleeps a lot but I worry he's feeling a bit bored. He is deaf and his eyesight is going now he can still find treats though and does still try to play with the other dogs. any ideas appreciated
I would say that having company is probably the most important thing. How about reading up on dog massage or TT, I bet he'd like that if his eyes and hearing are not so good. Otherwise, I would try to get a range of toys that involve finding treats for him. Leave the radio or tv on for company for him, if you think he can hear it. Big hug for Doug Sorry not to be more helpful.
I agree that gentle massage would be a good thing. Also practical things like mats on the floor so he can't slip and feels a bit more confident, a warm coat for nights and cooler days, brushing to keep his skin in good condition. Tasty meals with flavour, like sardines, are things he might enjoy. My vet advised nothing with bones in when my dog got old as their digestive system is a bit slower and can be more prone to being blocked. Hiding treats around for him to sniff out might be a good game - his nose probably still works well. Good on you for actively thinking of all the ways you can make his life as comfortable as possible.
Oh I know what this stage is like for an old boy... I found my old dogs still loved to go out into the garden, where I could sit and read a bit and they would trundle around slowly, or even better a very slow toddle to the edge of the wood, where they would stand for ages just sniffing and sniffing... I would put aside about 40 minutes for what in earlier years would have been a five-minute trip to do a pee! Billy particularly became very frail, but still enjoyed it when I took the time to go out with him on his own. I kept him on an extendable lead, because he easily became disorientated, and liked the contact with me. But most of all he loved it when I or another family member took time to sit with him, cuddle him, tell him what a good, good dog he was...
This is an absolutely brilliant thread, thank you for starting it. Pongo is not yet two years old, but I know that when the time comes.... hopefully many years from now..... I will want to look back here. Could we make this a sticky thread please?
Just chatting to my OH, and he used to take his old dog (Barney) down the the pub, Would have a quick pint then sit in the pub garden. Barney just loved people, and everyone loved Barney!
thanks everyone I do massage daily with Doug and have done for the last 7 years he needs his muscles stretching twice an day and he has hydro about once a week. I also put ice cubes on his toes on his back legs to keep his nerves working. I also tickle his toes to encourage the nerves to work and keep working. I love some of the ideas i will definately try them and he is getting treats he never had before ice cream yum. Its not a problem about his weight any more after all. I have no idea what to do about his breathing and its hard to listen to. The vet says its ok nothing can be done and so does his physio its just part of his decline I'm a bit lost at the moment because nothing is helping anymore we are no longer treading water but starting to sink. i'm very grateful to you all because you all seem to have the same sort of ideas to make him happy and it just confirms for me that I am doing the right thing. I feel i may have to make a decision i don't want to soon We also pay ninja labrador death dog which involves him lying on his back with his legs in the air and giving me a proper savaging so funny he just still wants to have fun. I also got some dangly cat toys which he plays with its a fox on a string I pull it around and he can play with it lying down very funny to see. I am spending as much time with him as i can and my other dogs are with him
All he really needs is your love, care and attention - and you are giving him that. Big hugs to you and him.
My neighbour has a 14 year old black lab who goes to acupuncture once a week, she also goes little walks down to the brook at the end of our cul de sac. At 8 months I hope Mabel reaches such a marvellous age. sdegg you sound every dogs dream owner I can't think of much more you can do. Personally I think massage is great I massage my girls front legs it's great for dog and owner. X
yep the massage and stretching is good it keeps his muscle tone and I think he likes it. I've had to stop taking Doug out now he is just too frail. He falls a lot and was finding it too hard.
yep do find myself getting a bit upset now. But then I think he's nearly fourteen and I though he might die at 6 then again at 10 then again at christmas just gone. So instead I do a victory dance and give him BIG HUGS. He's still enjoying life and eatting loads and happy. I aim to enjoy him he's still here
I think most people on this site seem to be the same interested in making our dogs happy. Its got a nice mix of people who seem very caring
Thinking of you & Doug. He is a lucky dog to find himself being cared for in his twilight by you, it sounds just perfect.
When Cocoa was getting too old and frail for walks we drove her to her old haunts. We padded the back of the car with an old duvet and some blankets, then took her for a short drive. She would toddle around for a few minutes, then lie down and sniff the breeze before having another toddle. Sometimes she would meet an old friend and they would go nose-to-nose and have a wag. It gave a bit of variety and interest to her days.
I'd stopped walking Doug as it was getting hard for him but he was missing it so the physio told me to take him. So like you Phil I been trying to take him to places were he can meet old friends and places he loves. I want to take him to the river for a paddle but have yet to work out how to do this yet. the place I can park is too far for him to walk to it. He loves it when he meets another dog or old human friend. I think you are right they are still interested in life and want to do stuff even though its hard for them.
Oh that's nice I'm glad you are working it out so that Doug still gets little outings. You won't regret it - when he is gone you will look back and think how glad you are that you still took him out and enjoyed little trips with him.
I take him visiting he loves that. He loves my mum so sometimes i leave him with her for a few hours, she spoils him, he really loves her. They sit in the garden together 2 retired persons having a lovely afternoon doing nothing and eating things they are not supposed too. So funny my mums really scared of animals dogs in particular, but she loves him, he'll do anything she asks.
