Teach Older Dogs to Live with Joy

It could be an easy, effective, and accessible way to give our furry friends quality of life during their senior years.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide are investigating whether special training exercises can help older dogs showing signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).

Keeping the mind active as we age is often recommended to ward off or improve symptoms of dementia in people, but can the same advice also be applied to pet dogs as they enter their twilight years?

The team is considering whether special training exercises such as scent tasks or obstacle courses can help ‘paws’ time for older pooches starting to show signs of CCD, also known as doggy dementia.

“Previous studies have shown that non-medicated interventions have improved symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s in humans, and it’s hoped our study will replicate those findings in dogs and help them to fight the signs of cognitive decline,” said University of Adelaide PhD student Tracey Taylor from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, who runs the training sessions.

While more dogs enjoy longer lives thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, doggy dementia is also becoming more common. Researchers believe the disease is under-reported by pet owners because many signs are often dismissed as ‘old age.’

“Some studies suggest that up to 60 percent of senior dogs, mostly over 11, are affected by doggy dementia,” Taylor said.

“Often owners think their dog is just slowing down, but symptoms such as getting lost at home, changing interactions towards other dogs or humans, and vacant staring can all be signs of CCD.

As part of the study, participants will attend free training sessions held once a week for five weeks. During the sessions, dogs undergo brain training activities such as scent tasks, balance, and obstacle navigation.

All the activities are designed to have low or no impact, in line with the needs of elderly pets. The focus is on positive reinforcement methods to encourage the dogs as they carry out the different tasks. The dogs involved in the trial must also wear an activity tracker to monitor movement.

“Only a few medications vets can prescribe to mitigate signs of dementia in dogs, and new treatments are urgently needed,” principal investigator A/Prof Susan Hazel said.

“If this intervention works, it could be an easy, effective, and accessible way to give our furry friends quality of life during their senior years until new medications become available.”

The researchers are looking for more dogs who are over the age of eight to participate in the trial, which is expected to continue until the end of the year.

(Photo: alexeitm 123rf. This article was sourced from the University of Adelaide Newsroom website.)