“My dog’s too old for enrichment!”
Teaching an old dog new tricks.
Senior snuffling
“My dog’s too old for enrichment toys.”
This is a comment I hear around my market stalls, which are showing beautiful, soft, colourful and intriguing enrichment puzzles.
I wonder why it is that some think their dog is too old.
I’m in my seventh decade…in dog years, I’d be just over ten.
A senior dog. Would I be considered too old?
In my last two decades I’ve changed career twice, organised several house moves, set up and run two small businesses and developed a website.
Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Just give them that chance.
Our furry companions crave our time and attention. Food and shelter too, yes of course, but our time and attention are also two of the basics. No matter how old the dog, they deserve all these things and they’ll surprise us with what they can tackle if we show them what to do.
With anything new, dogs and people alike need to be shown how.
If you tossed me a Rubik’s cube with no clue of what to do, I’d walk away in frustration. If you gave me a roll of wallpaper and a pack of paste, I’d throw up my hands in horror.
With our dogs, of any age, we need to teach them how to use something new…otherwise how are they to know? If they’re used to eating out of a bowl for every meal, how could they know what to do with a snuffle mat? (Actually, their nose will give them a good idea, but imagine something a little more complicated and you can get my meaning.)
Foraging is a natural canine behaviour which releases Serotonin in the brain. Like with humans, Serotonin is a “feel-good” hormone. Whatever the age, your dog will benefit from this little dose of happiness. It calms, steadies and nurtures.
So, give them a chance. Be with them in the moment and show them how to find the hidden food. Show them with your fingers how to forage with their noses to reveal the goodies. Quietly praise them when they try for themselves and celebrate their successes.
It’s part of what being a dog guardian is all about, isn’t it?