Anxiety In Senior Dogs Part 3: Things We Can Do To Help
- perkedearstraining
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
In my previous two blog posts (linked below), we discussed the signs and reasons that our dogs may develop anxiety as they age.
Fortunately, there are many ways we can support them, ease their stress, and ensure they still have a great quality of life. In this final part of our series on anxiety in senior dogs, we will explore practical strategies to reduce anxiety in our senior pups.
1. Consult With Your Vet & Address Pain/Discomfort
It's important to remember that dogs age much faster than humans. One year for a dog is equivalent to almost a decade for us (depending on the size of the dog)! This means that new health problems can pop up faster than we realize. If you notice new behavior changes such as increased anxiety in your dog, consult with your veterinarian to rule out any new health conditions or underlying pain that could be contributing to the behavior. Conditions such as arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, or dental issues can cause discomfort, which may present as anxiety or restlessness. Identifying and managing these issues early can help you to treat and manage their symptoms more effectively.
2. Create a Predictable Routine
Dogs with anxiety thrive when they can predict as much as possible about their environment—this includes their interactions with humans, their routine, and their surroundings.
Senior dogs can benefit from predictability in an even bigger way because, as their brains age, they are not as good at adapting to change.
Try to create a predictable daily routine for your dog. It does not have to be a strict time schedule by any means, but try to be mindful of their day-to-day activities and interactions.
For example, here is a sample daily routine:
Wake up and go outside to potty
Eat breakfast and spend time with family
Go for a sniff walk
Down time with a human, dog housemate, or by themselves
Evening enrichment activity or another sniff walk
Dinner
Relax and bedtime
By no means do you have to do the exact same activities with your dog every day, but following a predictable pattern can be helpful, especially if they are showing signs of increased anxiety. Sudden changes in routine can be stressful, so it is helpful to make changes gradually if possible.
3. Reduce Physical Stress & Ensure Proper Rest
As dogs age, they are prone to experience more aches and pains due to conditions and illnesses that tend to develop in seniors. Walking on hard floors or up stairs might be more difficult, and they may need adjustments to their resting areas to ensure their comfort. Their need for sleep increases, and they benefit from undisturbed rest away from the activities of kids and other pets. Ensuring they have appropriate and comfortable bedding as well as supportive equipment for any mobility challenges can significantly reduce their physical stress.
****Check out my free eBook which dives into many home product recommendations for senior dogs!
4. Provide Mental Stimulation Opportunities
Engaging your senior dog’s mind can help reduce anxiety, build confidence, and slow cognitive decline. These things can not only help your dog to enjoy their life more, but can even help them live longer! Options range from things such as store-bought food puzzle toys, DIY items such as cardboard boxes, or even setting up short exercises of nosework searches. Engaging your dog in a mental problem to solve helps to keep their brain active. Be sure to avoid giving them challenges that are too difficult or frustrating, especially at first. We want them to be engaged and to be able to solve the problem in order to gain confidence in the activity!
****See my free guide with DIY enrichment ideas for senior dogs!
5. Implement Positive Reinforcement Training
Whether it’s trick training to build confidence or a specific training plan to address a trigger of your dog's anxiety, positive reinforcement training can be massively helpful for senior dogs.
Continuing to learn new skills as they age can help your dog's cognitive health and can also help to reduce stressors that sometimes come with aging.
For example, cooperative care training is one of my favorite types of training to do with senior dogs. This is because physical handling and restraint for things such as grooming and vet visits can become more stressful for dogs as they get older. But if we take the time to train our dogs how to happily accept these types of procures, it makes caring for them so much easier!
You can also use positive reinforcement training to teach dogs how to use new equipment such as a ramp or small steps for things such as getting in the car or onto furniture.
6. Encourage Modified Exercise
Many people do not realize how essential it is to continue to provide our older dogs with physical exercises—we just have to modify it to fit their needs!
Have you ever heard the phrase "use it or lose it?" Well, it applies perfectly here.
Short, frequent exercise sessions are often better than long, strenuous ones for our aging dogs. Here are some senior-friendly exercise options:
Short walks (preferably on a long leash) that allow for sniffing and exploration
good for joints and mental enrichment
Swimming
low-impact exercise that’s easy on aging joints
Mobility training
gentle stretches, balance exercises, and slow movements to maintain strength and flexibility
Positive reinforcement training is essential to use in all of these exercises, especially if we are exposing our dog a new activity that they have never done before. We want to ensure that they confidently enjoy their physical exercise!
Keeping your dog moving in healthy ways can prevent injury and ensure that their joints stay strong!
**Be sure to consult with your vet or a physical therapist for specific guidelines and tips for an exercise routine for your dog.**
7. Seek Professional Support if Needed
If your senior dog’s anxiety appears suddenly, seems severe, or is impacting their quality of life, consulting a veterinarian and/or a certified behavior consultant can provide tailored guidance. Your veterinarian can help to identify any medical issues that need to be treated and a certified dog behavior consultant can help come up with a personalized behavior and training plan for your dog's needs!
Final Thoughts
Supporting a senior dog through anxiety is not easy. No one wants to see their best four-legged friend in distress. It requires patience, compassion, and an understanding of their changing needs.
By focusing on the different items above, we can help our older dogs feel more secure and at ease.
What methods have you found helpful for easing your senior dog's anxiety? Share your experiences in the comments!
Further Resources:
Work with Kristen 1:1 for a customized training plan for your senior dog!
Take my FREE Quiz to find out your senior dog's personality type!
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