Vacation With Senior Dog – The adventure doesn’t have to end when your senior dog gets old. Even older dogs love the outdoors. Stay safe with these tips for canine adventures.
So your adventurous dog is slowing you down? Mine too. They may be slowing down, but that doesn’t mean the adventure is over. As your hiking buddy gets older, you’ll need to pay more attention to the trail. My adventurous dogs Xena and Oreo have taught me this over the years.
Vacation With Senior Dog
Oreo was a Border Collie mix and was 17 years old. Orea has been gone for almost 4 years, when we brought Zena home as a puppy, she was 12 years old. Zena is currently a 9-year-old Great Dane. Both girls were big adventure dogs.
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Just like humans, senior dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as they age. When planning your hike, consider what the high or low temperatures will be like, especially if you live in an area with extreme temperatures.
Heat: Dogs with long or double hair, especially older ones, do not do well in heat. Some recommend shoes. I don’t wear dog paws in the summer because they can overheat. But I walk on the edge of the asphalt, on the ground or on the grass.
More than 10 seconds on the pavement can overheat your feet and burn the pads. Maybe consider buying a cooling towel for your pampered cat or going for an early morning walk.
Cold: Malamut is fine. There is no Dalmatia. Be sure to bring a jacket and/or shoes for retirees with short coats. Wear warm enough clothes for a night’s sleep. One cold night, Xena crawled into my sleeping bag. It weighs 130 kg.
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Shortening the walks may be necessary for your experienced pup. If you are tired before the end of the walk, mark that distance. Plan to finish your next ride before reaching this distance.
This shortened distance can take as long as a long walk. It’s okay, stop smelling the roses. Older dogs appreciate the scent they smell, not the miles they walk.
Watch them carefully and tell some dogs to slow down. This can be especially true if they are with a young dog.
Steep slopes and rugged terrain are no problem for fit dogs. As the aging process progresses, these barriers become more difficult. Find out what your dog can carry and be prepared to change plans if the terrain becomes too difficult. Choosing an easy route will be pleasant for your dog. Check the reviews of the trails you are considering, some sites show photos and detailed reviews of the trails. My favorite app is Alltrails.
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We took Oreo to Gooseberry on his last trip, thinking it would be an easy ride. The path we were on was mostly wooden. There were more stairs than Oreo could handle. I carried him up the steeper and longer stairs. I was amazed how he coped with it, he was so happy there, what a trooper!
Consider the size of your dog. Will your puppy be suitable for a backpack, wagon or trailer? Will the chosen path allow this? Oreo had no problem with the bike trailer or wagon. Our Great Dane, Xena, would be more difficult to tolerate.
My girls have loved running with my bike since they were little. When my shepherd started to give up a little, we got a bicycle trailer for our daughter. When we lived in California we loved to bike and walk to this waterfall. The way down was always beautiful, but the way back was harder for Oreo. We’ll upload the rest of the trailer when it’s ready. If we were on foot, he had all possible carts at work. Our daughter was very patient and willing to share the ride with her best friend.
Older dogs drink more water than younger dogs. They need more water for kidney function and general hydration. Bring the puppy more water than usual.
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Snacks are optional but greatly appreciated. Bring along your dog’s favorite snacks and treats to keep him motivated and burning off some extra calories.
Plan plenty of breaks. It is enough to catch your breath here and there along a shady river bank or waterfall. A good time to rest is before or after a difficult stretch of road. A break is an opportunity to check on your dog’s health and treat him to a snack.
As your puppy grows up, it’s important to visit the vet regularly and keep them informed of your dog’s adventures. They can give you tips to help you get stronger and last longer. Keeping them strong and at a healthy weight will keep them on the adventure. An overweight dog will have more joint problems and pain.
The elderly are more prone to traffic injuries. In case of an adventure, bring your dog a first aid kit.
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Dogs love car rides! Is there anything better than blowing in your ears and whizzing past a car!? no! Taking your senior dog on a road trip is a great way to rack up the miles while relaxing in the car. Short hikes to scenic spots are now their pace instead of long hikes over rough terrain.
Vehicles: Our Xena cannot ride in the back of her husband’s truck. However, it has no problem equipping my short Pathfinder. When he comes on an adventure, we bring and take my car. We also have a trunk for our gear so it doesn’t have to share space with camping gear.
Ramps/Stairs: If you have a large dog and find it difficult to climb into the car, it’s a good idea to invest in a collapsible ramp or ladder.
Sometimes trips with older dogs are shortened. It is best to be patient and flexible. We learned that at Zena’s age, one or two nights is enough to “come on”.
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We had a case of an “older moment” that quickly turned a two-night camping trip into an overnight trip. It was an unusually cold July evening and Xena was warm on the sheets. I wrapped myself in my sleeping bag to keep warm with my body heat. He was rested in the morning and loved his petting. Unfortunately, he had a senior moment that night and left a lump in his sleeping bag.
I didn’t want to spend another night in a dirty sleeping bag. We stayed flexible, cleaned up the location and had a nice walk that day. Instead of spending another night in the forest, we decided to go home. It didn’t spoil the trip, it changed it. Flexibility and patience are key.
Some dogs will go into their last days, others will prefer to stay at home and will say they need more rest. Look at your dog and listen to what he has to say. you
If asked if we could physically handle it, Oreo would go anywhere with us. This little lady had determination and eternal loyalty. He was a big adventurous dog and always wanted to please. We had to slow down and help him. In the end, we encouraged her to stay at home with a babysitter. But until then, we brought him as many adventures as possible. I remember his last trip to Boundary Waters and Gooseberry Falls. He was very happy, but I knew that this was his last big adventure. He needed a lot of help, but he was very happy there. After his last big venture, he took on smaller ventures closer to home when he “retired”.
Happy Senior Mother Her Adult Daughter German Shepard Dog Spending — Stock Photo © Sbartsmediagmail.com #245827316
On the other hand, my parents had a Jack Russell terrier named Misty. He went on many camping trips with them, but decided himself to stay at home at certain times. Misty used to be excited to pack her camping clothes and that excitement had worn off and she no longer wanted to load the truck. In the end, he refused to put on a leash and go for a walk. He prefers to bask in the sun on their property and watch the ups and downs of his family. Respecting that choice, he stayed at home during the trip and greeted them at home. I looked after them at home when they were there
