BarkSpot published my review: 

Accommodating Needs With the K9 Sport Sack Dog Carrier

Pearls

• Physical activity and time spent in nature are ideal activities to increase health and wellness.

• Dogs love accompanying their owners during outdoor adventures.

• Here is a personal review of the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 backpack dog carrier.

Like many people, I love being outdoors, cycling, and hiking as a fun way to stay fit. Dr. Denise Mitten et al. agree, saying, "The synergistic effect of physical activity and time spent in nature make hiking an ideal activity to increase overall health and wellness."

I almost always have my best buddy, Gunner the border collie, alongside me for adventures. However, when Gunner was diagnosed with heart disease a few years ago, our veterinary cardiologist told us Gunner should not be running long distances.

This generated a quest to find the best option to accommodate Gunner's special needs as he continues joining me during outdoor experiences. Thankfully, Gunner is otherwise still healthy and very active.

Like so many dogs, he wants to go along with his human on romps.

No Dog Left Behind

The forward-facing K9 Sport Sack is a backpack-style dog carrier that allows dogs to join their owners on adventures. K9 Sport Sack offers a wide range of sizes and adjustability options that are best chosen based on the exact height and length measurements of each dog.

My border collie is 30 lbs. and 18" tall at the top of the withers. I selected the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 version in mint color size large. For comfort and weight-bearing during more strenuous activities, I like that it has thicker shoulder straps and a padded back panel.

The "Plus" in the K9 Sport Sack Plus is a storage bag for gear like treats and waste bags. This smaller pack adheres to the back of the carrier via hook-and-loop and is fully detachable.

The fully vented sides for Gunner's comfort and cooling draw me to this carrier. The mesh dual side pockets increase ventilation so fresh air reaches him.

The dog sits right against my back facing forward in a "begging" position with his front paws touching my shoulders. The newer (2) carriers have extra features compared with the original models.

The wide base accommodates the dog's body and tail. There are adjustable cinch straps at the side and back to ensure the best fit. The zipper's fur flap prevents zipping the dog's fur in the bag. The collar enclosure is fully adjustable.

Six Safety Features

For my border collie in the Texas heat, the breathable side panels are the first safety option I need. I choose this carrier specifically because of the mesh construction for airflow.

Securing the collar enclosure around Gunner's neck keeps the carrier in position during use. Tightening the collar enclosure ensures Gunner doesn't force himself up and out of the bag.

The angled side cinch straps keep Gunner close to my shoulders and prevent him from leaning too far back. The side straps keep Gunner snug inside the carrier.

The main zipper has a no-slip mechanism. It locks in place so no weight or pressure forces it back open.

I thread the collar enclosure buckle through the zipper loop once the carrier is closed. This zipper loop is a safety mechanism that ensures the zipper stays zipped while Gunner is in the carrier.

The carabiner collar clip attaches to the dog's collar, securing the pet inside and preventing them from climbing out of the bag. I don't use this particular feature because Gunner's ID collar snaps open with pressure because it's a safety breakaway design.

Airflow

Maximum airflow of the side mesh material is one of the top reasons I like this bag over other types, such as papoose-style carriers. The ventilated side panels are very important in maintaining a comfortable temperature for Gunner.

Even with the ventilated mesh sides, this carrier is not designed for extended use during extremely hot weather. Correctly, the K9 Sport Sack folks advise owners to keep their dogs hydrated and limit time in direct sunlight.

Easy In-and-Out, With a Caveat

Teaching Gunner to get into the sack was easy, but I acknowledge that he is an exceptionally laid-back dog and more eager than most to be complicit with whatever I'm trying to do with him.

The K9 Sport Sack site has recommendations and videos about teaching dogs to get in the bag. For Gunner I find the easiest method is having him sit on top of the bag and I gently place him hindquarters-first into the sack. Then I zip it up, place his front legs through the holes, and secure the collar enclosure to the zipper.

As always, I use lots of praise and treats for positive reinforcement during teaching.

Easiest From a Raised Surface

Putting it on, standing, and taking it off is easiest from a bed or raised surface with this backpack-style carrier. Getting the bag on from the ground with Gunner inside is challenging after rest breaks while hiking.

When I'm with another person I get them to help me. I get the backpack on and off by myself while sitting on the ground with effort, but a raised surface makes the process much easier.

Top Heavy While Cycling

Gunner gets heavy when carrying him while I'm riding a bike. This is probably less of an issue for a younger, more conditioned person or with a smaller dog.

With Gunner's extra 30 lbs. on my back, balance becomes a concern. I find using our trailer for dogs is a better option while bicycling.

Booster Seat

For my smaller spaniel Rosco, I use the same size K9 Sport Sack by inserting the available K9 Booster Block into the bottom of the carrier. It boosts Rosco up three inches, making it comfortable for him even though at 20 lbs. and 14" he is a very different size.

The booster seat is made of sturdy foam and has a removable, washable cloth cover. Two blocks put together lifts an even smaller dog six inches.

Customization

There are several neat custom options available to personalize the K9 Sport Sack. Choices include a Custom K9 Patch embroidered with your dog's name -- or anything else you like -- made from 100 percent recycled materials.

A smaller mini-patch is available for the carrier's storage bag. There are also emotional support or service animal "do not pet," "ask to pet," and "service human" patches available. They are easily attachable and detachable via hook and loop backing or choose permanent fabric backing.

Net Outcome

I love the functionality of being hands-free while Gunner rides in the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 backpack carrier. Gunner enjoys being up close and personal with me during hikes and outdoor adventures.

The biggest downside is Gunner up high on my back is cumbersome for me while riding a bike. This backpack-style carrier is not our best option for cycling.

I struggle to get the carrier on from the ground and stand up -- it is decidedly easier from a bed or other raised surface. For a much smaller dog this is less of a concern.

When ordering it, the multi-functional storage pack that comes with the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 seems like a great accessory. However, I never use the smaller detachable pack since I rely on a treat pouch and clothes pockets to stash my necessities. The additional pack just adds unnecessary bulk.

The abundant airflow of the mesh sides is a must-have and makes this carrier stand out among some other types, such as papoose-style transporters. The booster seat accessory enables using the same pack for very different dogs.

Frequent breaks, while Gunner stretches and sniffs and I rest, are necessary. At 30 lbs., Gunner is near the limit of what I can physically handle for this style of carrier.

Happy Together

Gunner and I love hiking, like many do as the St George News reported in July 2023. The K9 Sport Sack forward-facing backpack dog carrier allows us to continue exploring the great outdoors together.

The backpack involves training and takes some getting used to at first. The K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 is a good option for keeping Gunner with me while hiking.

Because life really is too short with my best buddy, I'm grateful to get outside and continue making memories to last a lifetime.

Subscribe to AnimalAccolades for more information on improving the bond with your dog.

Gunner Rally Advanced Virtual 2

 Tonight Gunner and I played Rally Advanced Virtual course two. 

Pearls:

• Homework includes continuing to reinforce prompt heel position, right and left turns then dog circles around the handler, and pivots.
• Gunner is a very good boy. That is all.

Gunner playing RAV2:

Enjoy the Stroll With a Mendota Dog Walker Leash/Collar

Read about my all-time favorite leash over at BarkSpot: Enjoy the Stroll With a Mendota Dog Walker Leash/Collar. 

Key Points

• Dogs provide social interaction and motivation for physical activity.

• The strong bond with dogs provides many dog owners with feelings of happiness.

• Leash training is the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyable dog walking.

• A dog leash is essential equipment for safe walks.

• This personal review looks at the Mendota Dog Walker martingale leash and collar combo.

Dogs are huge motivators for human physical activity. A British research team of Dr. Carri Westgarth et al reports, "Dog owners are more physically active than people without dogs."

The stronger the dog-owner relationship, the more walking dogs and owners do together. The reverse is also true. The more you walk with your dog, the stronger the bond becomes with your four-legged friend.

Dogs provide complex social interaction and often become a type of "significant other" for their owners. This strong bond is a powerful motivator for behavior that is good for human health, including walking together.

Walking on Sunshine

Walking your dog can quite literally make you feel happy. Leash training is the foundation for a lifetime of safe, enjoyable walks with your dog. That said, the humble dog leash is essential equipment for all dog owners.

I adopt, care for, and foster numerous dogs from a wide variety of backgrounds. Recent shell-shocked shelter pups, street-tough dogs rescued from the cruelty corridor, and very strong, athletic semi-feral farm dogs all deserve a second chance.

Each one has a common need for a reliable, no-nonsense, and user-friendly leash. For the absolute best leash that meets the diverse needs of all dogs and their owners, the Mendota Dog Walker martingale-style leash is a top choice.

User Friendly

The Mendota Dog Walker combination martingale collar and leash is simple to get on and off dogs, even if they're afraid. This leash is reliable so a dog can't slip out of their collar.

The martingale collar humanely and organically rewards each dog for walking on a loose leash.

Especially when working with a scared or defensive rescue animal, I need a leash that has a wide opening that goes easily around the dog's neck. A leash that slips over a dog's head without requiring buckling or even touching their face is extremely helpful when meeting a new dog.

Ease of use is important to me for daily training and walking with my already-educated dogs. I need a leash that is simple to get on and off multiple times during adventures and training sessions.

The Mendota Dog Walker leash is pliable and soft. It fits easily in a pocket or comfortably over my shoulders, making it accessible at a moment's notice.

Reliable

A martingale ensures no dog can take flight by slipping out of their collar. With a traditional dog collar, dogs can escape the collar by pulling their head backyard out of it. This is even easier for puppies and narrow-headed dogs.

The Mendota Dog Walker is adjustable by sliding the leather stop up or down the leash to choose which size head opening works best. The martingale-style collar tightens when the dog pulls back, making escape impossible.

The martingale collar features two loops that form a single loop on your dog's neck, making it safer for the dog than a slip lead. The martingale-style leash tightens against the dog's neck by using two lengths of extra rope. This way the collar tightens with a center lift against itself.

The properly-fitted Dog Walker doesn't choke dogs. Due to their design, martingale collars have a maximum tightness that makes them a safe and humane way to control dogs.

If a dog reacts suddenly, the martingale-style collar prevents them from accidentally slipping out of their collar, preventing the heartache of a fearful dog running loose. The reliability of a no-slip collar is great for walking any dog in a new environment or to face the unexpected excitement of a passing cat or squirrel.

Rewards Loose Leash Walking

If a dog suddenly pulls on the Mendota Dog Walker, the martingale collar tightens. As soon as the dog continues walking with a loose leash, the martingale immediately releases pressure, reinforcing calm behavior. The collar stays loose while the dog is walking calmly but tightens if the dog pulls.

Unlike some other collars, the Mendota Dog Walker has a fixed stopping point and can't close too tightly. Adjust the martingale collar to the size of your dog's neck to prevent it from continuing to tighten the harder your dog pulls, as happens with dangerous choke chains.

The martingale's larger loop closes with just enough pressure to encourage your dog to stop pulling without posing a choking risk.

The Mendota Dog Walker has helped me teach numerous dogs to walk calmly on a loose leash. It is also the best everyday tool for allowing dogs to "go on sniffari" by using their noses on our adventures together.

Walking together becomes mutually reinforcing because it is enjoyable for both of you. Your serene stroll doesn't become a tough tug-of-war.

The martingale design rewards loose leash walking by automatically releasing pressure when the dog is not pulling.

Sizing

The Mendota's comfortably wide neckband comes in two sizes to fit a variety of dogs. The large leash is 1/2" wide and fits neck sizes from 18 to 28" for dogs over 50 pounds. The small collar is 3/8" wide and fits neck sizes from 12 to 18" for dogs under 50 pounds. Both sizes are available in four or six-foot lengths.

The wider collar is the best option for most dogs. The wider width more evenly distributes tension around the collar area and provides a more comfortable feel for the dog. For much smaller dogs, the narrower width works well.

Custom options are available with different hardware choices, leather colors, lengths, and collar sizes that the folks at Mendota are happy to discuss. I select custom Dog Walkers based on the neck size of each of my dogs, and the Mendota company is very helpful with the customization and ordering process.

Excellent Quality and Longevity

The Mendota Dog Walker leash is made with durable long-lasting multi-filament rope. Even brand new, the leash has a great touch in your hands that is soft and pliable, making it feel broken in right away.

The leashes come in a selection of vibrant solid and variegated colors. The Mendota leashes are machine washable and easily line-dried.

Handmade in the USA, the Mendota company offers customers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

A couple of my Mendota Dog Walker leashes (pictured) are almost 20 years old. Even with heavy daily use in the extreme Texas weather, these leashes maintain their vibrant purple and blue colors, are still soft, and the metallic hardware and oil-tanned leather are still in perfect condition with no fraying in the polypropylene rope.

Generational Wealth

The all-in-one leash and collar make the Mendota Dog Walker simple to use in a variety of training applications, from everyday walks with steady senior citizens to first-time encounters with a new rescue. These quality leashes are passed down to each successive generation of dogs.

The New York Times reported in January 2023 that some dog walkers earn over $100,000 a year. For a lifetime of priceless, mutually enjoyable walks with all types of pups, the Mendota Dog Walker martingale leash and collar combo is a sure bet.

Follow AnimalAccolades for more ways to improve the human-dog bond. 

10 Steps To Teach Your Dog To Love Nail Trims

 BarkSpot published my listicle 10 Steps To Teach Your Dog To Love Nail Trims:

Dogs' nails should be trimmed regularly as part of an overall healthy maintenance schedule. According to veterinarian researcher Dr. Petra Edwards et al., "Appropriate nail care is an important aspect of companion dog health and welfare." Trimming your dog's nails is a vital practice every dog person should teach their dog to willingly accept.

Nails that touch the ground create pressure and pain on a dog's toes when they walk. If you hear the clicking of your dog's nails when they approach, their nails are too long. Long nails can interrupt your dog's gait and cause misalignment of their feet, leading to soreness and arthritis. Short nails are critical to geriatric pups' longevity.

Willing consent for nail trims is essential to your dog's comfortable, vibrant life. Follow these 10 steps to teach your dog to love nail trims.

1. Get the Best Equipment

Get the best quality grooming equipment possible. In June 2023, The Spruce Pets reviewed the six best nail clippers of 2023. Guillotine, plier, or scissor styles are all good nail clipper choices.

2. Begin With a Relaxed Pup

Always start grooming sessions with a relaxed dog. Go for a brisk walk or run, or have a fun play session before teaching proper grooming behavior.

3. Acclimate to the Grooming Area

Choose a safe, comfortable surface for your grooming area. First, simply place your dog on the grooming surface, give them a tasty treat, then let them go on about their day. Do this for many extremely short -- a second or two at a time -- sessions per day, building up the amount of time until your pooch is comfortable laying on the grooming surface.

4. Reinforce Touching Their Paws

Touch their paw for less than a second while giving them a treat, and immediately release their paw before they have time to pull it away. This teaches them that letting you touch their paw is rewarding.

After several repetitions, gradually increase to holding each paw for two seconds while giving them a treat, then a few seconds, and so on, until they let you handle all of their paws. Repeating several short sessions while rewarding handling their paws builds intrinsic value for your dog, making them want their feet to be touched.

5. Touch the Nails

Using the same gradual process, reinforce touching your dog's nails. Expand to giving a treat while you gently wiggle each nail.

6. Introduce the Trimming Tool

Introduce the nail clippers by showing your dog the trimmers while giving a treat. Let them sniff and investigate the clippers while giving lots of praise and tasty tidbits. After a second or two, let them go on about their day. Repeat short sessions of showing the trimmers and giving treats until your pup is happy with seeing the nail trimmer.

7. Make Contact Valuable

Touch the trimmers to your dog's paw for less than a second while at the same time giving them a treat. Remember to start with the smallest possible time frame and only gradually progress to more repetitions, and those only for a second or two with multiple repetitions over time.

8. Do a Pretend Clip

Make the clicking sound with the trimmers and give a treat each time. Build up to giving a treat when contacting your dog's paw with the trimmers while making the clipping sound. Giving praise and treats reinforces the specific behavior of willingly letting their paws be touched.

9. Make the Clip

By now your dog is eager for the wonderful experience of having their paws manipulated on the grooming surface because you have built high value through positive reinforcement. Make the most gradual clip of ONE nail, giving a jackpot of treats at the same time, then be done for the day.

10. High Frequency of Reward While Learning

Progressively increase to clipping two of your pup's nails, then three, and building up to trimming all the nails. Be sure to keep a high frequency of rewards while teaching. Keep each iteration very short so your dog arrives and leaves the grooming area happy, looking forward to the next session.

Using these 10 steps, your dog learns to love having their nails clipped. You educate your pup to get into position when you put them on the grooming surface, eager to get their trim.

Your Dog Now Loves Their Pedicure

Because you've consistently rewarded them for loving the grooming surface while having their feet and nails touched, your dog knows that having their pedicure is a rewarding experience. This happy occasion now has intrinsic value. When the clippers appear, your pup eagerly anticipates great things happening.

With frequent trimmings, the quick -- a nerve and vein that runs through the nail -- recedes. If your dog has a dewclaw -- a fifth nail on the inside of the leg -- be sure to trim that as well.

Now that having their nails trimmed is a wonderful venture, gradually reduce the number of food treats you give while grooming your dog. Continue to reward your dog intermittently during nail trims to maintain the value your dog has for wanting their nails clipped.

Follow AnimalAccolades for more fun, helpful ways to use positive reinforcement. 

Handling Turns, Barrels, Tunnels, and Weave Entries

 Pearls:

• When handling a turn out of a tunnel followed immediately by a weave entry, bring Jackie in toward you a little more before you tell her to weave. Turn your body more to indicate to Jackie that she needs to turn and come toward you, then face your frontal plane forward in the same direction of the weave poles.
• Keep space between the handler and the weave poles so Jackie enters correctly and stays in the weaves to completion.
• "Round round round!" says to the dog: collect your stride for a tight turn back towards me.
• "Loop loop loop!" says to the dog: collect your stride for a tight turn away from me.

Jackie playing turns, tunnels, and weaves:

Gunner Has Graduated To Advanced Rally

Tonight Gunner graduated to advanced rally!

 Pearls:

• When pivoting with Gunner, try not to lead him. Just tell him "Heel!" then pivot as he pivots with you.
• Homework includes reinforcing prompt and accurate pivots using the bucket.

Gunner graduating to advanced rally:

 BarkSpot, another website for which I am a contributor, just published my listicle:

The Four Best Books for Every Dog Person

There are so many books written about how to have the perfect puppy, but what about how to be the perfect person for your dog? Here are THE four consummate books to help you become the perfect human for the dog you love.

Animals In Translation by Temple Grandin

The study of autism spectrum disorder is ongoing, as evidenced by new research in March 2023. Many dogs and other animals share similarities with autistic people.

Animal facilities worldwide are improved due to the work of Temple Grandin, who is a person with autism, in reforming the quality of life and humaneness of death for animals that Americans eat.

Grandin has redefined society's perception of what is possible for autistics and, by extension, for dogs. She argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness and that autism is a depot on the road from animals to humans.

She explains how dogs use emotions, even to predict the future.

Animals In Translation is so different from every other dog book ever written because of Grandin's unique perspective as a person with autism. She holds a Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois and has dedicated her life to studying animals.

For anyone sharing their life with a dog, this is must-read material for understanding how animals learn and respond to teaching.

Before and After Getting Your Puppy, The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy and Well-Behaved Dog by Dr. Ian Dunbar

If there were only one book for every dog owner to own, this is it. It's one of those volumes you return to time and again as a great reference source.

Every time a new dog is adopted into the family over the years, out comes Before and After Getting Your Puppy for a refresher on the best way to acclimate a new dog into your home.

Covering topics from error-free potty training (yes, it can be done), to crate training and socialization, this book hits all the must-have topics necessary when you adopt a new dog. Dr. Ian Dunbar is a foremost authority on puppy socialization and teaches how to create bite inhibition that saves dogs' lives.

Using all positive-based reward luring and teaching, this book describes in succinct and easy-to-follow detail how to teach your puppy or adult dog all the basic life skills necessary for a dog that shares their life with humans.

Chaser, Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr.

Based on peer-reviewed scholarly research done by Dr. John Pilley and his border collie Chaser at Wofford College, this book revolutionizes how dogs learn new behaviors. Pilley's groundbreaking research in canine cognition gives us empirical confirmation that dogs are not only as smart as their owners have always believed them to be, but are capable of much more.

Pilley's dog teaching methods are based on play and positively rewarding your dog's training by playing games with your dog.

Chaser has the largest tested vocabulary of any animal in the world, but this book argues that all dogs can learn just as much with the right teaching methods. Chaser's research shows that dogs are much smarter than they have previously been given credit for by scientists.

In his book about Chaser the border collie, Pilley gives hope and healing for anyone suffering loss. He says, "The relatively short life spans of our pets cause us a lot of grief, but they also ground us in a natural life cycle of life and death, and, if we accept it, renewal. The spirit of our relationship with one pet lives on in and shapes the spirit of our relationship with another pet, even years later."

Chaser is an excellent resource on how to unlock the genius of your own dog.

This article's author's copy and Chaser's beloved "Blue" toy signed by Dr. Pilley

The Other End of The Leash, Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.

You are likely to never be the same again after reading this life-changing book. Insightful, fascinating, and captivating, this book connects you and your dog like never before.

This book teaches you how to teach your own dog in a way that your dog understands from their perspective.

McConnell tells you how to communicate less like the primate you are and more like a dog. This book is all about using teaching methods that uplift your relationship with your dog rather than harming it.

The Other End of The Leash describes that often intangible idea of why we love our dogs so much yet we often are at odds on the best way to teach them what we want them to know.

Adult primates (aka dog owners!) and dogs both love to play, but we express affection and intention in vastly different ways. Using easily understandable science-based research, McConnell offers a whole new angle on the human-dog connection.

Follow AnimalAccolades for more information about fun ways to learn from dogs. 

*Please note, in their version of this article some sentences were changed by BarkSpot's editors after I completed my writing and submitted it.*

Another website for which I write, BarkSpot, just published my editorial article:

Geriatric Years Done Right: How I've Gotten Multiple Dogs to Live Healthy, Active Lives Past 16 Years

Key Points

• Facing an incurable illness causes reflection on what to do better to increase our dog's life span.

• Healthspan is not just the length of time that someone is alive but also healthy.

• A fresh, minimally processed diet combined with controlled weight and more movement often leads to a longer healthspan for dogs.

• This editorial provides additional pearls that are successful in providing healthy longevity to multiple dogs.

There has been a time in the recent past I have been desperate to keep a beloved dog that has been diagnosed with a terminal disease alive and healthy. You may relate to that horrible feeling of desperation and helplessness in the face of the impending doom of an incurable illness.

Sharing our lives with pets inevitably includes loss. What if there were a way, a formula even, to help our dogs live as long as possible while being healthy and active?

I'll share what is working and has previously worked for me in the pursuit of long-lived, mobile, and healthy dogs past 16 years of age.

As reported by the University of Adelaide Newsroom in May 2023, cancer is the leading cause of death among dogs. Obesity is a close second followed by organ malfunction, autoimmune disease, and diabetes. What then is the magical panacea to providing dogs with long life?

Unfortunately, there is none. If there were, it would surely include a fresh, whole-food, minimally processed diet combined with controlled weight and more movement more often.

There are a few additional pearls to share that I offer my dogs regularly that I believe aid their ability to live full enjoyable lifetimes.

Healthspan

We all want our dogs to live long, but also healthy, lives. The length of time someone is healthy -- not just alive -- is their "healthspan."

The first step in the formula to increase healthspan for our dogs is a fresh, minimally or non-processed diet. I feed my dogs a gently processed raw diet that includes ground raw bones and eggshells, reliably-sourced human food-grade meat, green tripe, and seafood including green-lipped mussels and organic kelp.

Their daily meals are topped with pumpkin for antioxidants and to aid digestion, a rotation of raw mushroom varieties known to decrease cancer risk and stimulate a healthy gut microbiome, fresh blueberries to fight the effects of oxidative stress, wild salmon oil to support eye and brain health and fight inflammation, and ground turmeric for decreasing joint pain and its anti-inflammatory properties.

With every meal I also provide a commercially prepared supplement that includes collagen, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), omega 3 fatty acids, fructo- and mannan-oligosaccharides, yeast, chondroitin, yucca extract, devil's claw extract, pancrelipase, vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, biotin, and two different strains of probiotics.

A very wise veterinarian friend once told me the best thing to do for your old dog is to take great care of them while they're young. Starting joint supplementation early in life prevents and repairs nano-tears and tiny breakdowns that occur in active dogs, even when (maybe especially when) they are still young and rambunctious.

Staying Active

Staying active in the golden years is vital, and it begins while your dog is still young. One of the very best activities for your dog is regular and frequent "sniffaris."

A sniffari is a walk where you allow your dog to follow their nose wherever they choose, letting them sniff as much as possible in different environments. The sniffari allows your dog's nose to lead them where they want to go.

There are so many forms of exercising and playing together with dogs, the choices are almost limitless. If I had to choose just one best way to exercise my dog, the glorious sniffari is it.

Exercise is critical in maintaining brain function. As with humans, exercising helps dogs think, learn, problem-solve, and enjoy emotional balance. Adequate exercise reduces insulin resistance and inflammation.

When it is safe to do so, allowing regular freedom to explore off-leash without constraints is, I believe, a minimum requirement for a happy and well-lived life for my dog. I don't mean a dog park or backyard, but true freedom where your dog expresses their natural behavior.

I realize this requires a mountain of preparation and education for the dog and their person. Allowing my geriatric dogs a choice about how they use their own mind and muscles out in the greater world has been life-changing.

Controlled Weight

Low body weight is a definite predictor of healthspan. Veterinarian researchers led by Dr. Johanna Christina Penell. found that "even rather late-life control efforts on body weight influence survival in dogs." They discovered that controlling weight, even later in a dog's life, promotes an increased healthspan.

Ideal body condition for my dogs is when their ribs are easily palpable with minimal fat covering, their waist is easily seen when viewed from above, and their abdominal tuck is visible from the side. Low levels of exercise are associated with increased obesity, and obesity leads to cancer and instantaneous risk of death in dogs.

It's that simple. Controlling our dog's weight reduces their risk for morbidity and disease, leading to greater healthspan.

Pearls

Surely there must be something else? While each dog is an individual, here are a few pearls I've discovered to improve the lives of my geriatric dogs.

Access to fresh water at all times. Water is vital for regulating a dog's body temperature, digestion, and hydration. The bowl they drink from and when the water was last changed matters, especially to our senior citizens.

American-made stainless steel dog bowls are the best dish for your dog because they resist bacterial growth. I water my dogs from non-porous ceramic bowls but I wash each bowl daily so there is never a buildup of bacteria.

Keeping their nails trimmed very short -- almost back to the quick -- is crucial for older dogs. Nails that are too long change a dog's gait which damages their musculoskeletal system. Clipped nails prevent excessive force on the foot and leg that leads to arthritis and pain.

I teach my dogs early in our relationship to consent to nail clipping for a lifetime of healthy posture and comfortable ambulation.

Groom well and often. Brushing your elderly dog is a wonderful activity to share. Regular grooming sessions are great opportunities to keep up with or discover any progressive changes in a geriatric dog's body.

Maintaining your dog's coat and cleanliness is a basic way to care for your dog. It is also a sweet way to spend time together as your older dog gradually retires from sports or other high-volume activities.

When It's Time to Say Goodbye

Even when luck is on our side and life has been good, eventually we have to say goodbye to our beloved friend. It is a final gift to give our dog a gentle and graceful end when the hard decision of euthanasia must be made.

This is a deeply personal moment, but a guideline I follow is better two weeks early than 10 minutes too late. We have the gift of choice for them to prevent suffering and end their pain.

There were incredibly special moments I shared with my treasured border collie Prissy, who lived into her 16th year, during her hospice care. There were instants in time so tender and intimate during the final days of her life that I cherish.

If you have the heartbreaking privilege of giving palliative care to your precious dog, I gently propose you stay present with them each moment. These are some of the dearest tempos, and when you look back on these memories with pain there is also joy in knowing the gift you shared with a very good dog.

Prissy, the author's border collie

The pain of losing a best friend feels unbearable. What comforted me is talking out my loss in a stream of consciousness with a trusted friend. It also helped to journal out my feelings, just letting flow all the memories and feelings as they came.

If you need the assistance of a caring, non-judgmental person, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has a pet loss support hotline at 508-839-7966.

The Gift of a Lucky Dog

My merry and beloved little red spaniel has been at my side for 15 years. I adopted Rosco as a fully grown adult dog from the wonderful folks at the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas. There is no denying an element of luck is on my side, but I believe in stacking the cards in my favor. I'm grateful to be able to offer Rosco the benefit of all I've learned from the dogs that have gone before him.

Rosco stays slim on a specially prepared diet with lots of raw, fresh food toppers. He has been on a joint and health supplement for years.

Though he retired some years ago from assisting me all day at the horse farm, to the extent possible I give him the freedom to wander and sniff in as many different environments as we can find. I keep him well-groomed and his nails trimmed.

Other than monthly parasite control, he is not taking any medication. He sees his veterinarian on a regular, every-sixth-month schedule and I follow the veterinarian's advice about vaccines and other veterinary necessities.

Rosco is a strong swimmer and loves to retrieve his ball from the water. Rosco is thriving, active, and boisterous, and I aim to keep it that way for as long as I possibly can.

Rosco, the author's spaniel

Consider replacing some of your dog's kibble with fresh, whole food. Try going for a sniffari with your best buddy. Feel your dog's ribs to see if they're easy to find. Enjoy a regular grooming session together.

No matter what, know that your dog loves you.

Further Reading

There is a vast array of studies directly linking diet to preventing disease and providing a longer healthspan. One of the best resources that reveals the relationship between diet and disease is The China Study.

Based on collaborative research between Cornell University, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Oxford University, and other scientists, this comprehensive resource is written by T. Colin Campbell and his son, Thomas M. Campbell II.

For a more dog-specific look into the effects of chronic disease due to diet, I highly recommend The Forever Dog written by Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib. This book highlights medical breakthroughs that lead to longer healthspans for dogs.

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University faculty produced the book Good Old Dog edited by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. Their empathetic and cutting-edge science approach to caring for aging dogs is this essential-advice book.

Follow AnimalAccolades for more about happy, healthy dogs.