What to Do if Your Agility Dog Is Showing Signs of Slowing Down
Whether you're competing in a championship or having fun with your dog, almost all dogs love agility sports! Not only does it keep their mind and body sharp, but it also helps forge your bond with your pet.
After years of training, your bond is unique and unmatched. However, over time you might notice your agility dog slowing down.
Their jumps may not seem as high, or their turns no longer as quick. Your dog may look at you with tired eyes, and you start to wonder if this chapter has come to a close.
As the inevitable and dreaded retirement dawns upon you, it's a decision you have to make. You might wonder, "Can my dog still do agility?" or "Does my dog have to retire?"
Is retirement for now or for good? Learn more about what to do and how to cope with agility dog retirement.
1. Have Your Dog's Best Interests at Heart
At this waning point in your dog's career, you have to do it for them. No owner wants to put away the leash, but at some point, you have to.
This is an emotional struggle for you, but remember who you're doing it for.
Your pet has been with you through the ups and downs of championships.
Your bond is indescribable and unique to you and your beloved partner. You could never have gotten to where you are without them, and them without you.
Dogs speak an untranslatable language. From your bond, only you are able to decipher their barks, nudges, and whimpers. Sometimes your dog tells you they're hurt and tired; you only have to listen.
As heartbreaking as it may be, you have to understand that it's time to let go. You have hours of failures and successes to look back on. Right now, you have to set your sights on giving your agility dog the dignity they deserve.
2. Emotionally Prepare Yourself
Pondering "Is my dog too old for agility?" means you have to face the unsavory reality, which is yes. Eventually, all agility dogs have to stop for their own good.
You've bonded; you've cried over failures and celebrated successes. Give yourself time to grieve and reminisce. There are two sides of retirement, after all.
The rollercoaster of emotions you're going through is valid. It's more than understandable to mourn the end of a glorious era before you start to look forward to a newer, albeit more gentle, time in your dog's life.
3. What's Up, Doc?
Maintaining your dog throughout those glorious years means you went to the vet a lot. Follow up on your routine checkups and assess your dog's weaknesses now.
Their eyes might be blurrier, or their balance may seem off. With age comes more and more limitations you have to adjust to. Learn your aging dog's new needs so you can do your best to meet them.
4. Let Your Dog Draw the Line
Retirement involves emotional preparation on your part and a physical and mental adjustment on your dog's part.
While your dog's career may have ground to a halt, it doesn't mean they won't want to play anymore. They've been competing for so long, it's their lifeblood. They're likely going to miss their tunnels, bars, and poles.
When your dog itches for activity, stick to the low-risk obstacles. Avoid bar jumps and obstacles heavy on collision and hard turns.
Monitor your dog and let them act on their own accord. Let them stop when they want to stop. Supervise their playtime to keep them safe from getting hurt.
5. Understand Your Dog's Limits
It might take some getting used to. You might remember the highlights of your dog's career, best speed, and stunning showmanship. Understanding your dog's new circumstances also helps you come to terms with the new arrangement.
Sorry to shatter the daydreaming, but their dog agility isn't what it used to be, and that's okay. However, now they're slower, more fragile, and thus, more prone to injury.
Remember that your dog has less control over stopping their speed. Even if they're slower now, the diminished ability to control their stops and turns increases their risk of getting hurt.
The most common injury sites are the forelimbs, often soft tissue injuries. These injuries may put your dog out of commission for a few weeks when your dog was younger. Now that they're healing isn't the same, you want to avoid injury at all costs.
When your dog wants to go beast mode, it's your responsibility to reel them in and remind them they're supposed to be relaxing.
6. Don't Push It
When the end is near, it can feel tempting to squeeze the last drop of victory from your pet. You may want one last hurrah.
Sometimes it's better to end on a high note. The best-case scenario is you end on a low note with a less than stellar performance. Worst case scenario is your dog gets injured.
Remember that their reaction time, speed, control, and balance deteriorate with age. As heartbreaking as it is to retire your agility dog, it's more painful to hurt your partner.
Don't let the latest surgical and shiny technological advances blind you. Chasing one last moment of glory is never worth the risk.
When you find yourself doing agility training more for your happiness than your dog's, it's time to stop. Never put your interests at the forefront of your pet's safety.
7. Pamper your Pooch
It's been a fun ride. Give your dog the love and care they deserve after all those years of competing.
Let them live the cushy life of retirement. Of course, don't neglect their regular exercise. Putting a rest to agility sports doesn't mean letting them get unhealthy.
Older dogs require more vet checkups, diet changes, and some environmental adjustments. Check out these tips for caring for older dogs to see any aspects you missed.
Give them a kiss every day and remind yourself of the good old days. In the meantime, you can look forward to every day you have chilling with your best friend.
Give Your Agility Dog Their Hard-earned Retirement
Concluding your agility dog's career is an emotional struggle for you as an owner. Prepare yourself mentally as you give way to a gentler era in your dog's career.
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