The Aging LGD: Caring for Senior Livestock Guardian Dogs
Sept/Oct Sheep! Magazine, Vol 38, Number 5
©
2017 Brenda M. Negri
Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) research studies have shown
that a working LGD often suffers a short lifespan, the average full time
working flock protector dying well before it’s eighth or tenth birthday. Those results typically came from studies
done on “hard core”, large commercial livestock operations running LGDs in a
24/7, no rest, no breaks situation. In
most instances the dogs were barely handled, sometimes went without food, and
were given minimal if any, vet care. They typically worked in heavy, large predator
load country and took great risks in their protective duties against predators
that often ended in confrontations and death. Thus it came as no surprise that a
short lifespan would be expected under such harsh circumstances.
But on smaller specialty purebred operations, small family
hobby farms or self-sustaining homesteads, and closely managed and monitored
targeted grazing operations where guardian dogs are used, LGDs typically
receive more, if not better, attention from their owners, regular preventative
health care and live much longer – even into their ‘teens.
Aging and elderly LGDs have special needs the owner must be
vigilant to and changing requirements as aging takes it’s toll. The following are measures the owner and
operator can take to ensure their “old timers” are comfortable, cared for, and
rewarded for the hard work and protection they’ve provided the operator and
their flocks over so many years.
What
Constitutes “Old” in an LGD?
There is not pat answer for this. A dog that has been worked hard all his years
from youth may be crippled, exhausted and “done in” by the time he reaches
five. Another who lived a less stressful
life will still be vibrant and active at this age and at his peak. Although breed type and size factors in to
this, what has transpired during the dog’s life will dictate how he ages –
gracefully or quickly; youthful till he is gray muzzled or finished before his
time. Large and giant LGD breeds reach
their zenith in life at about four to five years of age. A smaller, lighter
breed may not age as soon. By the time
most LGDs with moderate work history and in good health reach seven years of
age, they are beginning to slow down and show their age. Past the age of seven
the aging process increases and the operator begins to see changes in their
LGD.
Changes
With an Aging Dog
Here are some of the signs seen in an aging dog, many of
which mirror those that we humans experience:
✓Graying around muzzle, ears and head
✓Slowing down
✓Soreness, stiffness, aches and pains
✓Increased difficulty in hearing or
deafness
✓Dementia
✓Incontinence
✓Increasingly protective over space or
food
✓Requires more sleep
✓Change in eating habits
✓Weight increase or loss
✓Digestive issues (diarrhea,
constipation)
✓Teeth loss, plaque build up, gum issues
✓Eyes begin to cloud up and sight
diminishes
✓Discernment becomes less accurate
✓Barks unnecessarily or excessively at perceived
threats
✓Decreased play with other dogs
✓Fatigue, becomes tired or winded sooner
when working
Adjusting
Your Expectations
The most important steps for LGD owners of aging dogs is to
adjust accordingly and change their expectations of the dog’s work output and
abilities to competently do his job. Too
many LGD owners run too few of dogs, and thus put constant pressure on their
senior dogs to perform. When the dogs
begin to age, instead of cutting them needed slack by lessening their work load
or bringing in young LGDs to take off pressure on old dogs, they continue to
expect their senior LGDs to work at the level they did when young. This is an unrealistic and perhaps cruel
expectation.
The time to bring in replacement pups is when your LGD is in
his prime, not past it. Ideally, when
they are three to five years old. By
letting the older dog teach young pups when he is at his peak performance level
ensures your pups will have a better and less stressful beginning and the
transition will be much smoother. Adding
new LGDs to an established pack of working LGDs is my next topic that will be
covered in depth in the Nov/Dec issue of sheep! Magazine.
The owner can better assess his old dog’s condition by
observation and responding to the aging dog’s needs. Maybe his days of realistically being able to
tough it out in 30 below zero temperatures are through, and the owner needs to
construct a warm, safe shelter for the dog, or bring him into a barn, lean-to
or inside the house in inclement weather.
Instead of expecting him to patrol a large acreage alone,
pair him up with younger dogs who can back him up. Predators can sense when a dog is failing due
to his age and will target the weakened senior dog for attack. The operator should never set their old timer
up for this. Bring him closer to the house
or barn, and back him up. If the dog
does not want to leave his flock, then be creative. Put him with bummer lambs in the barn so he
is content, or with some older ewes or rams who are penned in a smaller
enclosure, closer to facilitate easier observation. As I have promoted with puppy training, a huge
juicy soup bone can buy lots of mileage in terms of a dog’s contentment. By
doing this, the owner provides the older dog with a mission and fulfills his
need to guard, while making it easier on him and giving him needed comfort and
safety.
Proactive
Health and Feeding Solutions
Anyone over the age of 50 knows what comes with aging:
joints, muscles and bones begin to 'speak' of more rowdy, rambunctious, tougher
days of yore: and we start paying for playing in our youth. Dogs are the
same. Thankfully there are a multitude of remedies for aches and pains
for dogs. Older dogs will slow down and suffer pain just like humans do.
When an operator sees them struggling to get up or whining in pain or showing
discomfort, check them out immediately. Take
the dog into a vet for an examination and assessment. Once a diagnosis is
given, either follow the vet's advice or, obtain a second opinion, and/or seek
alternative, holistic remedies to pharma-type solutions.
The one pain medication I always keep on hand from my
trusted vet is affordable Meloxicam. It is non-steroidal and an anti-inflammatory
for dogs (and humans). A bottle of 100 tabs runs me less than $10.
Ask a vet about it's proper use and dosage. Glucosamine is
another favorite addition to older dog's diets. I also sprinkle Dr.
Harvey's Golden Years - available through Chewy.com - on my older dog's food
for a supplement. Dr. Harvey produces
many great dog food supplements. Check them all out and ask your
vet for recommendations.
Feeding
and Food Intake
Oldster LGDs may change eating habits. Some eat more.
Some eat less. As they age, their teeth deteriorate and begin to
fall out; gums recede and plaque builds up. The time comes when they may
have trouble eating hard kibble; it can be moistened to facilitate easier
consumption and digestion. Then there's the topic of what is best for
them to eat. Some will prefer raw food, other owners will put their old
timer on a senior variety of quality dog kibble. Senior supplements can
be used. Old dogs may show increased
food protection. Feed them apart from
others in a secure area or space where they can eat at leisure and not be
competing against other dogs to get their sustenance.
The
Mind
Senior dementia in dogs can take on many forms and can come
gradually or quickly – depending on the dog.
With my own experience one of the biggest 'starter' flags of it has been
excessive barking over things that usually didn't bother the dog, and another
one is food possession. My old timer Great Pyrenees Petra is often
barking at nothing these days. Petra
hyper-responds to certain vehicles that pass by that set her off. A
gentle reminder to her that all is okay, and reassurance that she's needed and
doing a good job, is what she gets from me. She also has shown increasing
turf and food control and guarding. I assure her no one is after her food,
and "her space" in the dining room by my kitchen is always a safe
spot for her. Older dogs will often pick a spot to rest where they feel
less threatened and safe. Let them do this! Don't push them
out or scold for protecting their food and space. Redirect other younger
dogs to respect it in a gentle way.
Exercise
for the Senior Dog
It's still vital that an old timer gets exercise to combat
obesity that can typically set in with older dogs. My Pyrenean Mastiff Sally
who's coming up on 6 years of age, is a pudgy gal who I have to really make
sure gets her leg stretching and calorie burning. She's still sharp as a
tack mentally but becoming "pleasingly plump" as she ages. This
brings on stiffness. Because in my case I free choice feed my dogs, it's
pretty difficult- with 12 dogs - to only feed her certain dog food that is low
calorie. But I'm going to have to attempt it so she does not fall away to
a ton! There are many senior varieties of dog food brands that have less
calories for less active dogs and are easier to digest for older dogs. Again, Chewy.com is my source of choice and
has a huge variety of top quality foods for aging dogs.
Owner’s
Devotion and Compassion is Key
Dogs have feelings too. They respond to the owner’s
care and love with devotion and loyalty. How the owner treats their old
timers is so important. Do not disrespect them or dismiss their
importance.
My older dogs get the red carpet treatment here and are
always placed above younger dogs in little ways that show them they are
"still a part of the picture" so they don't feel abandoned
emotionally. Whether backing them up in a scrap, or letting a younger dog know
it's out of line pushing an oldster out of their 'favorite spot' or away from
food, I am there for them. It is the little things like this that count.
Truly, times come when older livestock guardian dogs must
die of old age, or be compassionately put down. Don't force an older LGD to suffer needlessly;
when the time comes, let him go “over the rainbow bridge”. Until that
time comes, be an appreciative, sensitive owner who shows compassion for canine
partners, and make their sunset years as comfortable as possible. After all, they have given their lives in
service. It's the least one can do for them.
///////
Compassion
– Grow Some, Show Some
Much
of what makes for a successful transition into an LGD’s Golden Years is how his
owner handles it. Be patient,
understanding and compassionate with your aging LGD. Reduce expectations of
your aging dog and cut him slack. An
example: my 8 ½ year old Great Pyrenees Petra is showing signs of dementia and
her discernment levels are becoming less accurate. She barked aggressively at me when I came
into the house, not recognizing me at first.
Instead of chastising her, I bent down and soothingly spoke to her and
stroked her head and ears as she lay in the kitchen. I calmed her and showed affection. By being patient and understanding the owner
will give the older dog reassurance that they need not be afraid or concerned.
