Walking elderly dogs – tips for professional dog walkers

It could be a new client, or an existing client who has been with you for years and is now getting on in age, but at some point you’re going to walk an elderly, senior dog who needs a little extra care.

It’s important to recognize that older dogs have different needs and abilities than younger dogs. As dogs age, they may experience a range of health issues such as arthritis, joint pain, decreased vision or hearing, and reduced energy levels. As a result, they may not be able to walk as far or as fast as they used to and may require a more gentle approach to exercise.

Some of the adjustments senior dogs need include;

• Reduced Time
• Reduced Distance
• Timing of Walks (Earlier, more frequent)
• Flatter Terrain
• Maintaining Temperature
• Interactions and behaviour changes
• Travelling and getting in the vehicle

What is a senior dog?

In general, dogs are considered seniors when they reach 7 to 10 years of age. Larger breeds tend to age faster than smaller breeds, so they may be considered seniors at a younger age. However, it’s important to note that individual dogs may age at different rates depending on their genetics and health history.

What adjustments should I make to my elderly dog’s walks?

Reduce the Time and distance for walks for elderly dogs

The first signs you’ll probably notice are that the dog not playing as much on walks, not interacting as much with energetic play or starting to stick a little closer to you instead of being independent and off sniffing in the bushes.

You may even notice a reluctance to jump up into the vehicle after a walk, or their owners might notice mild soreness or limping after long walks and message you to ask if anything happened. Don’t take it personally, they’re just noting their dog’s initial decline and checking it’s not an injury.

Depending on the needs of the dog, you might want to switch them to a quieter group walk, a shorter group walk if you offer it or a solo walk.

Obviously these changes will probably necessitate a change in pick up times which takes us to the next adjustment.

Be prepared to change the Timing of Walks

Older dogs start to revert to an almost puppy stage where they may need to be toileted more frequently.

Offering a couple of shorter walks earlier and later than the usual lunchtime slots, or one walk and one pop in to let them out for a pee break, might suit the older dog.

If you’ve already switched to a shorter midday walk but the owner mentions the dog has started to have accidents in the house when left that long, splitting this single visit into two shorter ones might be the solution.

Change to a flatter terrain for senior dogs

Walking a senior dog on flatter terrain is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, as dogs age, their bodies become less resilient, and their joints may become stiff or arthritic, which can make it difficult for them to navigate uneven terrain.

Walking on flat ground reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls, which could cause injuries that may take longer to heal in senior dogs. Additionally, walking on flatter terrain allows senior dogs to maintain their mobility and cardiovascular health without putting undue stress on their aging bodies. This can help them maintain their independence and quality of life in their golden years.

Secondly, walking on flatter terrain can also reduce the risk of overexertion in senior dogs. As dogs age, they may experience a decline in their stamina and endurance levels. Walking on flat ground helps to reduce the amount of energy required to move around, which can help prevent exhaustion and fatigue.

This is especially important for senior dogs that may have underlying health conditions or reduced lung capacity. By choosing flatter terrain for walks you can help their senior dogs maintain their physical fitness and overall wellbeing, while also minimizing the risk of injury or discomfort.

Be more aware of the Temperature for elderly dogs

If you’ve ever seen that infographic that explains if it’s too hot to walk your dog, you may not have noticed that for puppies and elderly dogs, the cut off points at which it’s both too warm and too cold are set to slightly lower temperatures (for too warm) and higher temperatures (for too cold).

Puppies and elderly dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperatures for different reasons. Puppies have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature because they are born without a fully developed thermoregulatory system.

Their bodies are not yet able to maintain a consistent internal temperature, and they rely heavily on external sources of warmth to stay comfortable. This is why puppies often huddle together and cuddle with their littermates to conserve heat. Puppies also have a larger surface area to body weight ratio than adult dogs, which makes them more susceptible to temperature changes.

Elderly dogs, on the other hand, may have difficulty regulating their body temperature due to age-related changes in their physiology. As dogs age, their metabolism slows down, and they may become less efficient at generating and conserving heat.

They may also have reduced muscle mass, which makes it harder for them to shiver and generate heat in response to cold temperatures. Additionally, older dogs may have underlying health conditions that affect their ability to regulate their body temperature, such as thyroid imbalances or heart disease.

Not only should we take care not to walk elderly dogs in extreme temperatures, we should also make sure they remain comfortable whilst travelling in the vehicle with fans or heat pads, and ensuring that if they do get wet that they’re adequately dried off before travel and dropping off at home.

Interactions and behaviour changes in senior dogs

In addition to physical adjustments, there are also some behavioral adjustments that may need to be made when walking an elderly senior dog. For example, older dogs may be more prone to anxiety or fear, particularly if they are experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. It’s important to be patient and gentle with these dogs, and to avoid situations that may cause them undue stress or discomfort.

Another behavioural adjustment that may be necessary is accommodating the dog’s sensory limitations. For example, if a dog has decreased vision or hearing, they may be more easily startled by sudden movements or loud noises. It’s important to be aware of these limitations and to adjust your behaviour accordingly, such as speaking in a calm, soothing voice or approaching the dog slowly and gently.

If you are walking a dog with cognitive decline (much like Alzheimers in humans) double check they have the correct tags on with the right details in case they do wander off.

Travelling and mobility issues in elderly dogs

In addition to maintaining a comfortable temperature for your dogs, young or old, you may find your older dogs start to have difficulty getting in or out of the vehicle.

It’s important to notice things like this as one slip or fall on a single occasion can not only injure the dog but also make the dog reluctant to get in the vehicle again, leading to difficulties loading your vehicle and increasing the stress of the journey for the dog.

Try and avoid any bad experiences by taking your time, learning to use a ramp or loading them via a side door which may be lower to the ground.

How to lift a dog

If you do choose to lift the dog into the van, follow these instructions to keep yourself and the dog safe and uninjured.

Stand behind the dog with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.

Place one arm under the dog’s chest and the other arm under their hindquarters.

Lift the dog smoothly and steadily, using your legs and core muscles to help support the weight.

Once you have lifted the dog, hold them close to your body to help distribute the weight evenly and provide additional support.

It is important to lower the dog gently and slowly, rather than dropping them abruptly.

Again, use your legs and core muscles to help control the descent and avoid any sudden jolts or movements that could cause injury to the dog.

With these steps in mind, lifting a dog on your own can be done safely and securely, but it is important to always prioritise the dog’s comfort and safety throughout the process.

Walking an elderly senior dog can be a wonderful way to help them stay active and engaged, but it’s important to be aware of the unique challenges and adjustments that may be necessary. By taking the time to understand and accommodate the dog’s individual needs, you can help ensure that they continue to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise while staying safe and comfortable.