Top Activities For Seniors With Small Dogs

Introduction

As a person grows older, the amount of activities that one can do starts to become more and more limited. For seniors, simple and regular activities such as walking can become increasingly difficult and exhausting over time. As a result, a lot of seniors end up staying at home on their own or going to medical facilities. This is why it is highly recommended that for seniors to have a pet companion. Studies have shown that having a dog can be highly beneficial to the elderly. Small dogs are a good match for seniors because they are more low maintenance and easy to handle compared to bigger canines. Here are some activities that seniors can do with their little dogs.

Go for a Stroll

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Doggy Waste Bags

Leash

Activity description

One of the most common activities done by pet and owner is walking. In fact, it is recommended that dogs get a regular walking time of at least half an hour every day. While this seems like a simple and straightforward task, it could be a challenge if the dog owner is a senior citizen. What’s great about seniors going for a stroll with their dog is that the activity is mutually beneficial – the dogs get their recommended walking time while the seniors also get to stay physically active, even if it is something as easy as a walk around the neighborhood.

Step

1

Find a spot

Before you can go for a walk, you need to look for a place to do the strolling in. For seniors, it makes sense to find a spot that is close to home just in case fatigue sets in. A walk around the neighborhood or a nearby park will do the trick. If you have a spacious backyard, you can even choose that as your walking trail for the day.

Step

2

Go walking

Before going on your walk, make sure that your dog is securely leashed to avoid having them run away from you. During your stroll, checks for signs of fatigue from your dog. At the same time, do not overexert yourself and keep the walk at a leisurely pace. Note that the purpose of this of this walk is to maintain a routine exercise regimen for both you and your dog.

Doggy Playdate

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Food

Water

Treat (optional)

Toys

Activity description

When seniors find it hard to go out for the day, it does not mean that the fun is over for their furry friends. There is actually a simple solution for this – set up a doggy playdate. These playdates are a good way to keep your dog entertained by bringing other canines into your space. This way, you will not have to use up too much of your energy trying to keep up with your dog because the other dogs will do it for you. Playdates are also an opportunity for you to have some visitors and catch up with your dog owner friends.

Step

1

Set up the date

As simple as it may seem, setting up and hosting a playdate actually requires a good amount of planning. More than just asking some friends to bring their dogs over, you need to prepare the different dog needs such as food, water, treats and toys for your canine visitors. Once everything is set, the first half of your playdate preparation is taken care of.

Step

2

Let your dogs interact

When your visitors arrive, direct the dogs into their play area and bring your own dog there. Observe the dogs and how they interact with each other and if they are getting along well. Once the dogs start to play and you are confident that they are friendly towards each other, you can relax and do your thing with your friend pet owners.

Gardening

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Gardening tools

Toys

Food

Water

Activity description

Gardening is a fun and easy way to spend the time of the day. For seniors, some gardening time out in the backyard can even be therapeutic. Whether you are just about to start your own garden or you would like to add more plants to your already existing garden, you can definitely put your dog to good use. It may seem odd to consider gardening as a dog-friendly activity but dogs actually have a knack for digging, which can come in handy if you are looking to grow some new plants. Since dogs are also innate outdoor lovers, they can keep you company while you do your gardening tasks.

Step

1

Choose a gardening task

Will you be planting some new species in your backyard? Are you simply going to prune some flowers or trim some bushes? Set your gardening plans for the day and find out where your dog will fit in the picture. For instance, use your dog’s affinity for digging to save you the trouble of shoveling soil on your own.

Step

2

Start gardening

After you have made a plan for your garden bonding time with your pooch, set your plan in motion. Just make sure to keep an eye on your dog; your dog may get a bit out of control and do some unwanted damage to your plants. Also, avoid using toxic chemicals such as pesticides around your dog as these products could be poisonous to your pup. Lastly, do not forget to lay out some food and water for your dog while you are gardening.

More Fun Ideas...

Watch TV

Sometimes, the best activity is no activity. Taking a break and sitting on your couch while you watch some television is as good as any other activity with your dog. TV time is a good way for you to relax and spend some quality bonding time with your pup.

Dine Out

Eating out need not be a lonely experience; why not bring your dog on a date with you? Lots of restaurants across the country are dog-friendly and have outdoor patios or designated areas for your pooch. Just find one close by and have a meal with your dog in tow.

Conclusion

For senior citizens, owning a dog is easily one of the best decisions they can ever make. Sure, it might be a bit of a challenge at times, especially when your dog becomes a handful. However, at the end of the day, the good outweighs the bad. With dogs, you get not only a walking assistant and home companion, you also get a friend who will love you unconditionally.