{"id":1275,"date":"2016-11-08T11:14:51","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T11:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=1275"},"modified":"2016-11-08T11:14:51","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T11:14:51","slug":"the-senior-class-enriching-the-lives-of-our-silver-muzzled-dogs-pt-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/the-senior-class-enriching-the-lives-of-our-silver-muzzled-dogs-pt-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"The Senior Class: Enriching the Lives of Our Silver-Muzzled Dogs Pt II"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you haven\u2019t read Part I yet,\u00a0click here<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Never Too Old to Learn<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though you may have \u201cretired\u201d your dog from high-impact activities or activities that require more endurance and focus, it\u2019s important to keep her stimulated to help maintain canine cognition. Take the case of Michelle and Winnie \u2013 a 13-year-old coonhound. \u00a0Michelle took Winnie back to basic manners classes, not because she needed a refresher, but because it was a way to give Winnie some external activity in a safe environment without stressing her. \u00a0Winnie loved the class: she got to meet new people and dogs, spent time with Michelle one-on-one, and was doing something she knew how to do. On top of that, she still got rewarded for performance!<\/p>\n

\"\"Find classes that will meet your senior dog\u2019s physical needs such as Rally, Nosework, WAGS classes, basic manners, and enrichment games.\u00a0\u00a0Animal Inn Training School<\/a>\u00a0in Lake Elmo offers a Senior Enrichment Games class where you and your dog get time in the ring to just play \u2013 there are no rules (outside of the general class ones) and the games vary from finding hidden treats or scents to low\/no impact obstacle courses to brain games.<\/p>\n

Maybe your dog is ready to learn something new! As your dog moves from puppy and young adult energies to adult and senior energies, you might consider therapy dog training. \u00a0If your dog has the right temperament for therapy work, such visits are a great way to give back to your community, and the benefits for both your dog and the humans you visit are well-proven.<\/p>\n

Keep Having Fun at Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stanley, a 14-year-old Viszla, went from being considered \u201ctoo old to do anything but sleep on the couch\u201d to \u201cWow! He\u2019s still got a lot left in him\u201d by taking some of the fun from a senior enrichment class and bringing it home. \u00a0Robyn, Stanley\u2019s owner, also enrolled in\u00a0Dognition<\/a>\u00a0games after hearing about them in class. Dognition is a collection of interactive games that are fun and easy to play with your dog at home; Robyn now plays these games regularly with Stanley.<\/p>\n

There are many brain-game products on the market you can purchase for your dog, and also many DIY games you can make with just a few simple items.<\/p>\n

Here are a couple DIY ideas!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Take two muffin tins, placing your dog\u2019s meal in the cups and invert a second tin on top of the first. \u00a0Place some balls or similar soft, not too heavy objects, on the top of the inverted tin and let your dog \u201cplay with dinner.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Take a muffin tin, put treats in the bottom of a few of the muffin cups and cover with softballs or just plastic cups or mix it up! \u00a0Then watch your dog have a blast trying to get to the treats.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Watch Beau, a 15.5-year-old Beagle\/Lab\/Border Collie mix, play muffin tin games:<\/p>\n