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Dog shoots man
The Press Association -
Oct 30, 2007
A US hunter is recovering after being shot in
the leg at close range by his dog, who stepped on his
shotgun and tripped the trigger. ...
Dog shoots manGuardian Unlimited
Dog bites sheriff's deputy during search
San Jose Mercury News,
USA - 10 hours ago
By Malaika Fraley PITTSBURG -- A Contra Costa
County Sheriff's deputy was sent to the hospital today after
he was bitten by a sheriff's dog during a search ...
Heather Mills' fireworks 'scared my dog to death'
Stuff.co.nz, New
Zealand - 19 hours ago
Heather Mills' recent firework display
scared her neighbour's dog to death, the pooch's
owner has claimed. Sandra Rowbury - who lives yards from the
former ...
Blind shopper told to leave guide dog outside
Scotsman, United
Kingdom - 22 hours ago
A BLIND woman hit out today after being
told she would have to leave a city supermarket unless she
tied her guide dog up outside. ...
Dog killed by arrow
News-Herald.com, OH -
3 hours ago
Geauga County humane officers are
looking for answers after an 11-year-old Chardon Township girl
discovered a badly injured dog lying in her yard Wednesday ...
Breaking News: Hunter's arrow kills dogNews-Herald.com
Bronx nurse reunited with lost dog
New York Daily
News, NY - 2 hours ago
The happy ending to this slightly
shaggy-dog story unfolded on Young Ave. in the Bronx, a few
blocks from Roberti's home, Tuesday afternoon. ...
Last time I talked about puppy proofing your home so this week
lets go to the other extreme and cover taking care of the
older dog.
My own dog is now 12 ˝ years old so I know what its like
having an older dog around. Even so I sometimes take him for
granted and forget…like the other day I thought it would be
nice to go on a long walk but I forgot how much harder it
would be for him now, so I had to cut it short when I saw how
slow he was getting…(don’t tell anyone but I called my Mum to
come get us….but she didn’t believe me when I said it was
because the dog was tired!)
As dogs age, their joints may start to hurt, their eyesight
and hearing start to fade and they may need more frequent
trips outside. You may need to make some accommodations to
help your dog through this stage of life.
Bringing a new puppy into your home as your aging dog starts
to decline may be an answer for you to the future heartbreak,
but this new puppy will most likely make your older dog's last
few months or years miserable and may rush the decline. Your
older dog needs to feel secure and bringing a new puppy in
will not ensure that feeling. Think of all the attention that
a new puppy needs to be properly trained, cared for and
socialized. This is attention you will not be able to give to
your lifelong companion when he needs you most.
Know the average life span of the breed of your dog and pay
attention to your dog. A dog that was easily going up and down
the stairs may quickly become incapable of this. Although you
have to assist an older dog up and down the stairs and indeed
to walk, he will still enjoy his moments outside smelling the
fresh air. He is still a very bright and loving dog. He simply
needs assistance now.
Older dogs need more frequent potty breaks. Indeed some older
dogs will have problems with their backs or hindquarters and
be unable to take a potty break without your support. You may
need to provide a way for the dog to access the outdoors on
his own or provide support to him as he goes in and out.
And if your older dog does begin having "accidents" due to his
age, do not punish him because you did not get him outside
often enough. Your dog has provided you with companionship and
maybe even guarded you for a long time. Now is your turn to
provide for him.
If your older dog does begin to have back or rear end problems
that affect his ability to stand by himself or get around by
himself, consider buying or building a dog wheelchair. But
first make sure that he is still enjoying life – you are
trying to prolong it for his sake not yours, so if he really
is in a lot of pain then a dog wheelchair is not the answer.
Some dogs as they become older can become crankier. Do not
submit such a dog to young children. Allow your dog a place to
go where he can have peace and quiet away from the commotion
of every day life.
Older dogs may lose their sight or hearing. It may be lost so
gradually you don't even realize it till one day you notice
your dog didn't even hear the doorbell ring. I know because
mine doesn’t always hear me come into the house. This means
you will have to work differently with your dog. Using hand
signals for a dog going deaf is a good idea and indeed, it may
be wise to begin this even as a puppy. For a dog going blind,
realize he has probably memorized where everything is, inside
and out, and it would be cruel to rearrange your furniture or
move a planter.
You must be more alert to potential hazards for a dog which
may be losing it sight or hearing such as a child that runs up
to pet him on the head while you’re walking or the aggressive
dog or even car he doesn’t hear or see.
As a dog ages, he will probably develop arthritis and other
joint related ailments. You may find you need to stop him from
going up and down stairs. If you had previously allowed him on
furniture, you may need to keep him from getting on it now.
It's best to train him as a puppy to not climb on furniture so
when he begins to have these problems, it will not come as a
shock to him, and you, when he no longer can get up on the bed
or couch. Remember also that you can provide him with specific
supplements to his food that can help make his joints more
comfortable, so ask your vet or good pet health store.
When you see a change in your dog's habits or find a lump or
notice he walks differently, visit your vet right away. Some
things can be treated more easily and for less money if looked
at right away. That small lump that could easily be removed,
if left, could become and inoperable cancer.
Do not begin feeding your older dog "treats" that you would
not have fed him previously. Such foods could actually be
hastening his final days rather than making his old age more
special. It is also easy for such treats to make your dog,
which may become more inactive due to his ailments,
overweight. This could lead to an uncomfortable and even
unhealthy old age for your dog. You should try making my home
baked treats that we cover a few weeks back.
Conversely, you may notice your older dog losing weight. In
such a case consult your veterinarian about the diet your dog
should eat. You may find you need to add canned dog food to
his kibble or even other foods as advised by your vet.
As your dog ages, you may find he becomes lazy. Provide him
with appropriate activity to keep his muscles exercised.
Walking is good exercise for older dogs. Just fit the
exercise, and exercise location, to the abilities of the dog.
Realize these abilities may change over time. Whereas three
months ago your dog could easily walk up a hill, he may only
be able to walk on a level surface now.
My dog is much slower now than he was but I know that he loves
a walk even if he doesn’t always show much interest at the
time. He has arthritis in a front paw as he has had a digit
removed from the paw due to a cancerous growth. His hips are
also stiff. Now I put him in the car and drive him to a local
playing field for his walk as he gets to walk on the soft
grass. He loves it judging by the drool that he produces over
all those lovely smells, and we don’t walk on the streets
anymore except for a really slow stroll on a bad day.
