Older Pets

All pets can be aggressive, but this is especially true with older animals. Aging and more fragile animals may make up for their lack of strength by becoming over-aggressive.

Barking dogs are often a nuisance and can cause problems for both owners and neighbors. To correct excessive barking, first try training to change this pattern of behavior.

Older pets often experience incontinence and are unable to control bowel and bladder movements. Because this is a physical and not a behavioral problem, they should not be punished if an accident occurs.

We rely on our pets for companionship and they rely on us for their health and safety. Older pets, like older people, have special needs that require more attention from their owners.

Correcting behavior is often difficult in any animal but it is especially challenging with older pets who have already established many behavioral habits.

Successful training can be accomplished with older pets by using the reward system. Rewards can take the form of food, praise, or toys. If you are using food, it is a good idea to divide up a pet's daily meal into about ten small portions.