As Your Dog Ages

It's always exciting to get a puppy. Their young, playful, happy, bouncy energy brings a light to a world that is often dark these days. Many don't realize that a puppy brings a lot of responsibility, dedication, and commitment.

They must be trained. Regardless of their age, they must be taught the rules of your home. Where they potty, where they will eat, not to take human food from your hand so they don't take it from children, not to jump on you, visitors, or children. Setting the rules and teaching is the most difficult. Some dogs will catch on quickly, others will require some time and repeating. Once trained, stay consistent.

As they age, you see they move slower, the puppy energy is gone, they may need more time outside or extended time outside. They can't hold their bladder as long as they once did. This is all normal.

They don't move slower just because they are adults, they move slower due to arthritis or joint pain. Much like us, as we age we slow down. Things we once did, we can no longer do. Ourchildren could run through the house and jump on us, it was cute and funny. Our grandchildren do it, it's painful and we immediately do whatever we need to keep those knees from hitting our bones that already hurt. We explain that it hurts and ask them to not do it. Sometimes we have to repeat this information to their little minds because they don't understand aging. They are like young puppies.

When your dog ages, they are not able to handle all of the climbing and jumping on them they once could either. Set boundaries to protect your dog and children from the start. Do not allow food to be given to your dog, especially by children. Do not allow them to use your dog as a pillow to prevent an accidental injury to a dog. If you do not correct the children, the dog eventually will. The dog pays the price for your child not being taught how to treat and respect them.

The calls, text, emails, and messages to surrender are all because of this lately. It's heartbreaking and preventable. You failed to teach and it's put on someone else to take them in.