Dogs are the best companion for seniors because they provide security likewise companionship to their owners. Dogs, as compared to cats, are more loyal and they can be trained to meet certain needs of their senior masters. It is very common to see dogs assisting blind people walking in streets and doing minor errands for them—that is because, most of the time, dogs will do whatever pleases his or her masters.
Dogs are great for watching over your house. They will know when to raise alarm and call for help. They effectively ward off offenders even before they come close to you. Dogs know exactly when to comfort you and lend companionship. This is exactly why dogs are very ideal for seniors especially for those living alone—like stated earlier, it’s the companionship and security combined.
But choosing the perfect dog depends on your lifestyle and needs. For seniors, it is highly recommended for you to get an older dog. Older dogs can be found in dog shelters, and rescue groups; moreover, if you adopt an older dog through organizations and shelters, you will be guided accordingly on how your chosen dog behaves and if this particular dog will be helpful to your lifestyle. They will help you choose the right dog for your needs.
Most of the time, an older dog doesn’t require further training since they are more or less, calmer and trained. But yes, you can teach your old dog new tricks, if it’s necessary and they can catch up fairly quick than training a puppy. This is because older dogs are not easily distracted and they can focus better on the task at hand.
If you have just brought him home from the shelter, you should introduce him first to where he should poop and pee. This way, you will know if he is already housetrained or not but usually, they are since they had been to other houses before. Wait for it if necessary, and praise him after. You should do this with him patiently every time the need arises up until he learns how to do it on his own. These are the times you should take note of: mornings, after meals, and before sleeping.
Some dog owners noticed that older dogs, just like puppies, tend to follow their masters during the first few days in their new home. Dogs by nature, hates to be alone and they seek security from human companionship but in due time, they will settle down and make themselves comfortable with their surroundings. In the mean time, apply crate training for your older dogs. This will help them recognize where to sleep and take a nap while you are away somewhere. Let him “be friends” with his crate so he could establish his place in the house.
Basically, all dogs need to learn obedience. Basic obedience training should include simple dog instructions and commands. This will help you establish bonding time and better communication to your dog. This training can be done personally—that is if you have enough patience for it. For those who don’t, enroll your dogs to obedience classes just to refresh his skills and learn a few more tricks.
