Activities for Senior Dogs: New Things to Try at Their Pace

Your dog still recognizes the signs of a good day. The leash coming off its hook. The treat pouch. The words “Want to go?”

As dogs get older, those plans may change. Walks might get shorter, breaks more frequent and outings a little closer to home. There can still be plenty to look forward to.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, an opportunity to celebrate older dogs, including those waiting for families, and think about how we can keep making their lives interesting.

For my senior dog, Remy, nose work and simply having time to sniff have been great. It’s reminded me that an outing doesn’t need to cover much ground to be worthwhile.

We recently shared ways to discover something new with your dog. That includes older dogs, whether you’re trying an activity for the first time or finding something that suits them better now.

Give them something to sniff out

If your dog enjoys investigating every corner of the yard, start there.

An easy search game at home can be as simple as finding a few treats in accessible spots or locating a favorite toy. Begin with something straightforward, give your dog time and keep the session short enough that they’re still enjoying it when you finish.

For Remy, making room for sniffing has been a good addition to our time together. Sometimes that means a little nose work. Sometimes it means letting him spend longer investigating something on a walk.

If you’d like to explore a structured activity, an introductory nose work class is a useful next step. In organized AKC Scent Work, dogs learn to find specific target odors and communicate the discovery to their handler.

The sport doesn’t require sprinting or jumping, making it worth considering for an older dog. Searches can still involve different surfaces, movement and unfamiliar environments, so discuss your dog’s needs with the instructor.

Our introduction to Scent Work explains more about getting started. If you eventually compete, ShowPoints helps you find events and keep your AKC Scent Work results organized, including qualifying runs by element and level.

Teach a small new trick

A new trick can give you something enjoyable to practice in a few minutes at home.

Try a nose touch to your hand, resting their chin in your palm or identifying a favorite toy. Choose behaviors your dog can perform comfortably, and reward their efforts as you go.

Think about the movements involved. Repeated sits, turns, balancing or jumping may be difficult for some older dogs, even when they’re eager to participate. A simple behavior that suits your dog is a better starting point than an impressive one that asks too much.

If you enjoy working toward a goal, AKC Trick Dog offers a structured program with virtual evaluation options. You can also keep it entirely informal. Your dog can enjoy learning something whether anyone is evaluating it or not.

Consider an introductory Rally class

For dogs who like training alongside their person, Rally offers another activity to investigate.

You and your dog navigate a course of signs, each describing an exercise. The activity involves working together, paying attention and moving through a sequence as a team.

AKC Rally’s Novice and Intermediate levels have no jumps. They still include exercises such as turns, sits and downs, so the right fit depends on whether those movements are comfortable for your dog.

Before enrolling, talk with the instructor about your dog’s abilities and any limitations. A class can help you learn what the sport involves and decide whether your dog enjoys it.

If you’re curious about attending a trial, ShowPoints includes Rally events in its event search. Watching first can give you a better sense of the setting and what participation would involve.

Make time for a sniff walk

Some of the best activities need very little preparation.

Try a quiet walking route with interesting places to investigate. Let your dog pause and spend time sniffing, rather than keeping to your usual pace or distance.

A familiar park can offer plenty to explore. So can a different patch of grass. Choose somewhere with comfortable footing, manageable weather and an easy route back when your dog has had enough.

This is something I appreciate with Remy. Giving him time to sniff makes space for what interests him. We can have a good outing together without needing a long walk or a busy afternoon.

Choose for the dog in front of you

Senior dogs vary enormously. Some are eager for a class and a new challenge. Others prefer a short game at home or a gentle outing followed by a nap.

Before starting a new physical activity, talk with your veterinarian about what fits your dog’s health and mobility. An instructor can then help you understand the demands of a particular class or sport.

Consider the whole experience, too. Travel, waiting around, slippery floors, heat and crowded spaces can matter as much as the activity itself.

Keep sessions manageable, allow plenty of rest and stop if your dog seems uncomfortable or reluctant. Notice what they look forward to and what leaves them comfortable afterward. Those observations can help you choose what to do next.

Find something to look forward to

At ShowPoints, we want to make it easier to discover activities and keep participating with your dogs as their interests and abilities change.

You can explore the dog sports available in ShowPoints, find upcoming events and save the ones that interest you. A local club or instructor can help you take the first steps before entering.

For your senior dog, the next plan might be a beginner class, a new search game or a familiar walk with extra time at a particularly interesting tree.

With Remy, I’m learning to leave time for that sniff.