Walkies for older hound
Discussion
One of the mutts is now 11.5 years old. Recently she starts to lag behind on the walk. She's ok for about the first 10 minutes but thereafter doesn't want to walk very fast at all. She's always been a lazy dog mind. BUT she does still get all excited about going.
So, anyone with older mutts, do you drag them round further than they want to go? (I am thinking this is better for the overall health) Or do you only take them as far as they want?
So, anyone with older mutts, do you drag them round further than they want to go? (I am thinking this is better for the overall health) Or do you only take them as far as they want?
My retriever is north of 13 and tells me when he wants to go out, usually by behaving like a 3 year old 
During the week he gets to walk round the local area which has quite a few cut throughs so I can bring him back to the house if he starts to puff. At weekends he goes out in the Landie and runs/strolls/walks around the park in full view of the car park. When he's had enough he wanders back to the car
During the week he gets to walk round the local area which has quite a few cut throughs so I can bring him back to the house if he starts to puff. At weekends he goes out in the Landie and runs/strolls/walks around the park in full view of the car park. When he's had enough he wanders back to the car
Our 16.5 yo collie x retriever has really slowed this year - the fact we nearly lost her six months ago to a fit, and she now has a heart at half pace is another matter.
Every time she sees the door open she launches herself out to head next door to see if she can bag a biscuit. That does her several times a day - and allows me to walk the others while she plods round next doors garden.
We do feel it important that she does at least one walk a day - not long - maybe as little as 400mtrs. But she is fussy and will prefer to only walk if we are both there. The other dogs are happy to go at her pace - they all just sniff a bit more.
To keep her going we have the magnetic collar - probably of little effect compared to a couple of years ago - then the glucosamine tablets which are great - plus current tablets to help heart and brain function after her fit.
Each day is different - go with the mood and don't push it. Be there to assist when needed - ours still wants to try and leap into the car, but can't. She needs a reassuring hand on the back end when climbing the stairs as sometimes she misses her step.
Every time she sees the door open she launches herself out to head next door to see if she can bag a biscuit. That does her several times a day - and allows me to walk the others while she plods round next doors garden.
We do feel it important that she does at least one walk a day - not long - maybe as little as 400mtrs. But she is fussy and will prefer to only walk if we are both there. The other dogs are happy to go at her pace - they all just sniff a bit more.
To keep her going we have the magnetic collar - probably of little effect compared to a couple of years ago - then the glucosamine tablets which are great - plus current tablets to help heart and brain function after her fit.
Each day is different - go with the mood and don't push it. Be there to assist when needed - ours still wants to try and leap into the car, but can't. She needs a reassuring hand on the back end when climbing the stairs as sometimes she misses her step.
You can get glucosamine for dogs. Vetvits sell it. Mine have it but whether it does any good I have no idea of knowing but I have benefitted from it so perhaps dogs do as well.
11-odd years isn't ancient but they can run out of puff as they age. I have a 12 year-old whippet cross who is now slowing a bit and doesn't run much any more but he insists on doing all the walks that the others get.
11-odd years isn't ancient but they can run out of puff as they age. I have a 12 year-old whippet cross who is now slowing a bit and doesn't run much any more but he insists on doing all the walks that the others get.
Ok, just so people know and hopefully can take this into account if needs be.
1. She is a Newfoundland. The last of her litter in fact, 11 isn't bad for a Newfie.
2. She gets all kinds of natural supplements to aid her joints etc
3. We know she has spondilosis and she gets painkillers for that too
4. It has literally been in the last two weeks - before that, she would keep up on the walk
5. She's had 45mins to 1 hour walkies per day most days (but if she thought she could get away with it she'd have done less, lazy b***r so she is)
6. She's had both cruciates done.
1. She is a Newfoundland. The last of her litter in fact, 11 isn't bad for a Newfie.
2. She gets all kinds of natural supplements to aid her joints etc
3. We know she has spondilosis and she gets painkillers for that too
4. It has literally been in the last two weeks - before that, she would keep up on the walk
5. She's had 45mins to 1 hour walkies per day most days (but if she thought she could get away with it she'd have done less, lazy b***r so she is)
6. She's had both cruciates done.
For a large dog like that 11 is getting on a bit. Given her health issues it looks like your're doing all you can so it's just a case of taking the lead from her (no pun intended!). It gets a bit more difficult when you have other younger dogs and she doesn't want to be left behind though.
Jasandjules said:
Ok, just so people know and hopefully can take this into account if needs be.
1. She is a Newfoundland. The last of her litter in fact, 11 isn't bad for a Newfie.
2. She gets all kinds of natural supplements to aid her joints etc
3. We know she has spondilosis and she gets painkillers for that too
4. It has literally been in the last two weeks - before that, she would keep up on the walk
5. She's had 45mins to 1 hour walkies per day most days (but if she thought she could get away with it she'd have done less, lazy b***r so she is)
6. She's had both cruciates done.
Which is why I think a general health ck would not be a bad idea (unless recently had one) due to the sudden change. It may not be joint related at all.1. She is a Newfoundland. The last of her litter in fact, 11 isn't bad for a Newfie.
2. She gets all kinds of natural supplements to aid her joints etc
3. We know she has spondilosis and she gets painkillers for that too
4. It has literally been in the last two weeks - before that, she would keep up on the walk
5. She's had 45mins to 1 hour walkies per day most days (but if she thought she could get away with it she'd have done less, lazy b***r so she is)
6. She's had both cruciates done.
rovermorris999 said:
You can get glucosamine for dogs. Vetvits sell it. Mine have it but whether it does any good I have no idea of knowing but I have benefitted from it so perhaps dogs do as well.
Yep - that's what we get.Miss them for a week and notice the difference. Double the dose for a few days to get it going and the improvement is clear.
Our vet talks highly of them - and he isn't selling them !
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