[Animals] A dignified old age: for this reason adult dogs must learn new tricks

[#Steeven.™]

Animal behavior specialists explained the benefits that learning new activities generates for dogs and gave these recommendations to cope with this stage

Dogs, like humans, go through different processes during their growth. Despite the fact that age prevents them from performing some activities that they did when they were young, there are some aspects that must be taken into account when the animal begins to age, one of them is to keep them mentally stimulated.

There is a po[CENSORED]r belief that older dogs can no longer be taught new tricks, however, different studies and specialists in animal behavior have shown that training and education at this stage of the canine's life will help them to a great extent. .

Dr. James Greenwood and canine behavior specialist Caroline Wilkinson explained in an interview with the British newspaper Daily Mirror that it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks to keep it stimulated and reduce cognitive decline over time.

The importance of tricks

Wilkinson explained in an interview that old dogs need mental and physical stimulation when they grow up to maintain an "enriched and happy life", so it is important to take these two aspects into account when your pet grows up.

"As a dog ages it's important to keep him moving, but make sure you keep him within his own individual capabilities," Dr. James Greenwood seconded, because over time the joints become stiff and movement begins. to return a problem.

According to research from Forthglade natural dog food, a company that produces natural dog foods, 31 percent of pet owners would treat an elderly dog the same as a puppy, leading to a great deal of risk. problem.

William J. Chopik, an academic at the University of Michigan, explained in his research "Old Dog, New Tricks: Age Differences in Dog Personality Traits, Associations with Human Personality Traits, and Links to Important Outcomes," that canines older are much more difficult to train.

In this article published in April 2019, the researcher explained that dogs change their personality traits when they go through major changes in their lives, at this point the aging process that the animal is going through is included.

 

The importance of diet

Greenwood and Wilkinson stressed that at this stage in the life of pets they should also be provided with a balanced diet, which will keep them healthy, since good quality food will help improve their mood, they will be relaxed and will help them to have the necessary energy to be able to carry out different activities.

According to specialists, at this stage in the life of canines, owners must be attentive to all the behaviors and patterns that these animals present. We must not lose sight of the activities that the animal likes to do, we must try to keep the pet happy in this last stage of its life.

The pet food producer, Advance Affinitiy, explained on its page that educating an adult dog is quite a challenge, since certain behavior patterns must be eliminated that it has generated over time and that probably were not corrected in time. .

"Knowing how to educate an adult dog involves recognizing behavioral problems such as phobias, reactivity, aggressiveness with other dogs or people, anxiety or stress," the organization detailed.

In this type of situation, virtues such as patience, perseverance and practice will cause the pet to have the appropriate behavior and learn new things, while physically and mentally stimulating the canine.

 

https://www.infobae.com/mascotas/2023/04/24/una-vejez-digna-por-este-motivo-los-perros-adultos-deben-de-aprender-nuevos-trucos/