When dogs age, their behaviors often change. Owners who have cared for their pets for years may notice them doing things that are completely out of character. For example, a canine that is normally quiet might begin barking excessively; a housetrained pet might suddenly start to soil the house; or, a timid dog may begin displaying aggression. Unfortunately, these and other behaviors can become problematic, causing frustration for the animals' owners.
It's important to realize that behavioral changes in older canines are usually due to cognitive issues or difficulties stemming from health problems. Your pet is not trying to annoy or frustrate you. With this in mind, we'll present the most common changes that occur in dogs as they reach their senior years. We'll also suggest some of the underlying causes of the behaviors.
Inappropriate (Indoor) Elimination
Improper soiling is not uncommon with senior dogs. In most cases, it occurs because of a health problem. For example, your pet may suffer from an inflamed prostate, gallbladder stones, or even liver disease. Or, he might have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can cause problems related to defecation. Some canines lose control of their bladder and bowels due to cognitive problems, or issues related to separation anxiety (discussed below).
Because there are so many potential reasons an older, housetrained dog might eliminate indoors, a veterinarian should examine him. The vet can determine if the animal suffers from medical issues, and suggest available treatment options. If cognitive issues are involved, a professional trainer or behaviorist may be able to offer help.
Aggressive Responses To Stimuli
A canine that is normally patient may snap or growl when approached. If he feels particularly stressed, he might be prompted to bite. As with indoor soiling, this behavior can be caused by challenges that are physical or cognitive.
For instance, if your pet has severe arthritis, he may be unable to leave an area when the activity around him (e.g. loud children, a rambunctious puppy, etc.) causes him anxiety. Or, if he suffers from a loss of hearing, he may be surprised when someone approaches him from behind. He might also be confused and disoriented. These and countless other situations may drive your canine to display aggression.
Separation Anxiety
This is a common problem with senior dogs that have become increasingly attached to their owners over several years. They become anxious when separated from them. The signs of separation anxiety are varied, and can range from inappropriate soiling (as described earlier) and whining to destroying furniture and attempts to escape. A canine that suffers from this condition may also be observed panting, pacing, and salivating.
This disorder is cognitive. While a veterinarian's attention may prove useful, the problem can be more effectively addressed with desensitization training. In some cases, a behaviorist's help is valuable.
Increased Fear Of Loud Noises
A phobia of loud sounds, such as thunder, can develop in senior canines for several reasons. Some stem from physical problems. For example, a dog with arthritis may be unable to manage the anxiety he feels when a thunderstorm arrives. Unable to move, his stress level increases until he becomes fearful.
Sometimes, confusion can trigger a noise phobia. Even though your senior canine may have showed no signs of fear in the past, he may suddenly become anxious of a particular sound he is unable to identify.
Roaming At Night
Many owners notice that their dogs begin to roam through their houses late at night. This may be caused by physical pain that prevents the animals from sleeping peacefully. It may also stem from a need to eliminate.
Changes in the way your pet perceives his immediate surroundings may also prompt him to roam. For example, he might not recognize the objects near him due to senility. Over time, he may also begin to have trouble recognizing rooms and paths throughout the house.
If you suspect the behavioral changes in your senior dog are due to medical problems, take him to a veterinarian. Above all, be patient and try to make your pet's remaining years as comfortable as possible.
It's important to realize that behavioral changes in older canines are usually due to cognitive issues or difficulties stemming from health problems. Your pet is not trying to annoy or frustrate you. With this in mind, we'll present the most common changes that occur in dogs as they reach their senior years. We'll also suggest some of the underlying causes of the behaviors.
Inappropriate (Indoor) Elimination
Improper soiling is not uncommon with senior dogs. In most cases, it occurs because of a health problem. For example, your pet may suffer from an inflamed prostate, gallbladder stones, or even liver disease. Or, he might have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can cause problems related to defecation. Some canines lose control of their bladder and bowels due to cognitive problems, or issues related to separation anxiety (discussed below).
Because there are so many potential reasons an older, housetrained dog might eliminate indoors, a veterinarian should examine him. The vet can determine if the animal suffers from medical issues, and suggest available treatment options. If cognitive issues are involved, a professional trainer or behaviorist may be able to offer help.
Aggressive Responses To Stimuli
A canine that is normally patient may snap or growl when approached. If he feels particularly stressed, he might be prompted to bite. As with indoor soiling, this behavior can be caused by challenges that are physical or cognitive.
For instance, if your pet has severe arthritis, he may be unable to leave an area when the activity around him (e.g. loud children, a rambunctious puppy, etc.) causes him anxiety. Or, if he suffers from a loss of hearing, he may be surprised when someone approaches him from behind. He might also be confused and disoriented. These and countless other situations may drive your canine to display aggression.
Separation Anxiety
This is a common problem with senior dogs that have become increasingly attached to their owners over several years. They become anxious when separated from them. The signs of separation anxiety are varied, and can range from inappropriate soiling (as described earlier) and whining to destroying furniture and attempts to escape. A canine that suffers from this condition may also be observed panting, pacing, and salivating.
This disorder is cognitive. While a veterinarian's attention may prove useful, the problem can be more effectively addressed with desensitization training. In some cases, a behaviorist's help is valuable.
Increased Fear Of Loud Noises
A phobia of loud sounds, such as thunder, can develop in senior canines for several reasons. Some stem from physical problems. For example, a dog with arthritis may be unable to manage the anxiety he feels when a thunderstorm arrives. Unable to move, his stress level increases until he becomes fearful.
Sometimes, confusion can trigger a noise phobia. Even though your senior canine may have showed no signs of fear in the past, he may suddenly become anxious of a particular sound he is unable to identify.
Roaming At Night
Many owners notice that their dogs begin to roam through their houses late at night. This may be caused by physical pain that prevents the animals from sleeping peacefully. It may also stem from a need to eliminate.
Changes in the way your pet perceives his immediate surroundings may also prompt him to roam. For example, he might not recognize the objects near him due to senility. Over time, he may also begin to have trouble recognizing rooms and paths throughout the house.
If you suspect the behavioral changes in your senior dog are due to medical problems, take him to a veterinarian. Above all, be patient and try to make your pet's remaining years as comfortable as possible.
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