senior dogs

Puppies have their behavior problems, and older dogs have theirs. For older dogs, in many cases it is not that they do not understand the 'rules,' but that they may, for many reasons, be unable to follow them.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems seen in older dogs. A dog who has separation anxiety will become very anxious when he senses his owner is about to leave. When the owner does leave, the dog often becomes destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate, and may salivate profusely. A dog with separation anxiety will often be overly exhuberant when his owner returns.

You have probably heard the old myth that every year of a dog's life is equivalent to 7 human years. These days, we know more about dogs and can more accurately estimate the age of a dog in human years.

When you compare dogs to humans, you'll see just how fast dogs actually mature. A one-year human child still needs its parents. However, a one-year old dog has already reached sexual maturity and can reproduce.

Generally speaking, smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs. The chart below shows an approximate age for each size of dog.

Everyone loves kittens and puppies because they're cute and playful. And yet it seems like everyone who's ever raised a kitten or puppy has at least one "horror story" to go along with it! Baby animals are adorable, but there are many loving older pets who need "retirement homes" to call their own. Reasons to adopt an older pet include:

- They're more mellow and tend to have better house manners. While many are still active, they're just as content to relax at home with you.

As the years pass, our animal companions may start to experience a few age-related issues. Many of these problems are not serious, but some can be - and it's always wise to keep a watchful eye on your senior pet. Check your pet regularly for warnings signs and take him to the vet for assessment if you notice something out of the ordinary. Watch for signs that include:

Unusual lapses in housetraining.

     A pet that may have been rock-solid steady in his housetraining may start eliminating in inappropriate places.