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Sunday, February 28, 2010
10 Peeves that dogs have about humans lol!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCA'S NEWSLETTER
24 FEBRUARY 2010
NEW NATIONAL ABUSE IS ABUSE CAMPAIGN
This to tweak your curiosity:- Be on the lookout for a joint national campaign between Childline Sappi's Ideas That Matter initiative and ourselves as part of the 10th anniversary of Sappi Ideas That Matter, a US$1 million per year global initiative which encourages graphic designers to create powerful print campaigns for worthy organisations. The three parties were brought together by Sappi's Marketing Consultants, Trinitas. The campaign, conceptualised and to be driven by Trinitas, is at an advanced planning stage and is a logical and exciting follow-on from the joint 2009 Vuka Awards submission, Abuse is Abuse, which was produced by Freetheorange.
PIGEON RACING
Pro-active work is ongoing. Inspections of facilities routinely take place and the latest was an unannounced visit to the South African National Pigeon Organisation national loft at Noupoort in the Northern Cape. It was found to be adequate. Although the lofts are the old wooden European style they are in good condition with the pigeons appearing to be in good condition with no visible signs of stress.
We report good news in that Allflight Carnival City has agreed to pay the transport and accommodation costs for the N SPCA to monitor their two international races.
WILDLIFE
The Wildlife Unit was invited to present a lecture on the subject "animals for education - ethically speaking" at the Zoo Keeper and Zoo Educator Symposium last week presented by Animal Keepers Association of Africa and the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The message delivered was simple. Education within any animal institution must start with enclosure design. Animals as living exhibits must be held in the best conditions, displayed in enclosures that enable them to live as naturally as possible and exhibit natural behaviour.
Sending a visitor home with the message: "This is an animal in a cage", serves no educational purpose to the visitor, even less of a purpose to the animal, the species, wildlife or biodiversity. Unfortunately this is still happening far too often in institutions operating under the "zoo" name. The educational message any visitor receives from visiting a zoo or any animal collection must aim at developing appreciation, wonder, respect, understanding, care and concern about nature and animals. The opportunity is there to promote moral responsibilities and values and influence people's attitudes and behaviour towards animals and the environment.
ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE PROJECT - FREE STATE
A meeting was attended in Kroonstad with the local co-ordinator of the Alternative to Violence Project. Their organisation does sterling work and our education programme will certainly complement their existing programme.
INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION
The N SPCA has written to the South African Commissioner, Mr Hermann Oosthuizen, asking him to reject any compromise proposals at the forthcoming meeting of a small working group. That is, we asked for rejection of any proposals that might undermine the international moratorium on commercial whaling and/or endorse commercial whaling in any form.
The International Whaling Commission may only meet in its entirety once a year but these issues are ongoing, the N SPCA keeps abreast of developments and liaises with South Africa's appointed commissioner.
NOUPOORT - DOGS
With a staff member in the area, the opportunity was taken to address five complaints and as a result three warnings in terms of the Animals Protection Act were issued. The general community in this area is impoverished and in need of education on animal welfare concepts on issues including the chaining of dogs and sterilisation. The closest veterinarian is in Middelburg but the people lack the means to get there.
The South African Police Services are keen to organise an outreach project to help the animals and empower the people as it will certainly help the dogs since mange, malnutrition and pyometra seem to be the order of the day. Sadly, funding at present is insufficient to permit this.
The Noupoort Christian Care Centre (drug and alcohol rehabilitation) was inspected because they utilise pitbulls as part of their recovery programme. There was no responsible person who could confirm if the dogs were also used for guarding purposes. If so, the Centre would have to meet the requirements of the Performing Animals Protection Act for licences with conditions attached thereto by the N SPCA.
The Noupoort Drug Educational Centre was also checked. They have a neutered German shepherd and a spayed Chow cross used as "therapy" dogs to teach the female addicts about empathy.
EDENBURG HORSES AND DOGS
A complaint relating to the condition of some horses was received but no horses were found, although the area is full of free-roaming livestock and small packs of dogs. A lot of mange and malnutrition was observed. Here again, there is no veterinarian in the town although some of the residents are more concerned about the cows eating their gardens than the starving, diseased dogs scavenging for food.
THE FARM ANIMAL UNIT
A workshop organised by GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) was attended and the N SPCA's Farm Animal Unit also presented. It was intended for all the stakeholders involved with land transformation and was well attended including by representatives of Landbank, Standard Bank, Karan Beef and Rainbow. The purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the officials of the department and other roleplayers on their function and responsibilities in the land transformation and to enlighten all as to the goals regarding the transformation of farm land. Interesting as this was, the N SPCA expressed our objectives and goals: - to ensure the welfare of these farmed animals regardless who is farming them.
EQUINE UNIT
Last week was spent in the eastern and central parts of the Limpopo province checking, educating and assisting working-equine owners. This was very successful. Trainee inspectors from the local SPCAs also benefitted by assisting in the programme. A full report, photographs and statistics will be in next week's newsletter.
DEVON SALEYARD
This is another sale that refuses to conform to the minimum standard of providing water for the animals on sale! An inspection involving 4 inspectors was carried out on Monday 22 February when no improvements were seen. A warning in terms of the Animals Protection Act had been issued at the last inspection. Criminal charges will now be laid with a docket being prepared and a case to be registered against the organisers.
MXit
Good news for all of us who like to support ethical operations is that MXit has pledged its commitment to supporting the N SPCA cause by not allowing people to advertise or promote the sale or exchange of the following through its mobile classified portal, MXit Xchange:
Primates, snakes, parrots, * "pinkies" and *"fuzzies". MXit is also committed to stopping adverts from people offering to give their household pets away. * Pinkies and Fuzzies are unweaned rodents.
The N SPCA welcomes this move as being ethical and responsible. It is a definite move in the right direction and a setting of standards for others to follow.
STINK-AWAY
The label of a product called Stink-Away as sold through outlets called Pets and Plants was drawn to our attention as it stated "Recommended by the S.P.C.A.". This statement was made without our knowledge or approval. The outlets have been instructed to remove this fraudulent claim by re-labelling products or removing the items from sale, failing which action will be taken against them. The SPCAs in the area have been asked to check that this has been carried out by the stipulated date of 01 March.
Until next time
With kind regards
Chris Kuch
Science based dog training
SCIENCE-BASED DOG TRAINING (WITH FEELING)
February 16th, 2010 by Dr. Ian Dunbar
The development of off-leash, puppy/adolescent, socialization and training classes caused a paradigm shift in dog training away from the on-leash, physical restraint/prompt/punish methods of competition/working training to whelp an entirely new field of Pet Dog Training. However, after nearly 30 years, pet dog training is in dire need of re-invention. Off-leash, science based techniques were unparalleled for 20 years or so but over the past decade, pet dog training has gone downhill.
Certainly, the fun factor and dog-friendliness of pet dog training has increased over the years, but criteria and standards have dropped dramatically. Many owners become frustrated with lack of success and so, seek help elsewhere — often adopting aversive techniques, thinking (erroneously) that physical domination and pain will be more effective. In reality, science-based training is effective regardless of the choice of training tool. However, few owners are being taught reliable verbal off-leash control without the continued need of training tools. Whereas it is easy for dog owners to find beginning lure/reward and beginning clicker training classes, seldom are they taught how to completely phase out training tools, such as lures, clickers, food rewards, collars and leashes. Hence, lures become bribes and compliance often becomes contingent on the owner having food lures and rewards, or the ability to physically restrain or punish.
Initial training appears to go well but then surprisingly quickly, without reliable off-leash control, everything falls apart during adolescence. Seemingly insignificant behaviour problems of puppyhood become major reasons for surrender or abandonment.
Adolescent dogs become inattentive, distracted, anxious, fearful and maybe aggressive to other dogs and people, causing on-leash manners and off-leash reliability take a precipitous nosedive. Consequently, walks and romps in the park become less frequent, which impacts enormously on the dog’s quality of life.
All of these developmental problems are utterly predictable and quite easily preventable. Successful pet dog training is all about extremely early socialization and training, ongoing socialization and training and establishing off-leash reliability in order to adequately prepare puppies to successfully navigate adolescence. It’s all about adolescence, I see it there are four huge areas of concern that need to be addressed and resolved before science-based dog training reaches “tipping point” and is universally and permanently acknowledged, accepted and practiced by dog owners and trainers. These issues will be the focus of my seminar series this year and next.
The incredible opportunities of puppyhood are still largely wasted. Prevention is easier (and much quicker) than cure but we are still not preventing the major reasons for surrendering dogs to shelters, namely, house-soiling problems, destructive chewing, excessive barking and separation anxiety. Moreover, socialization is pitifully and scarily inadequate. We are not even coming close to preparing puppies for adolescence and successfully preventing fearfulness and aggression.
Temporary training tools have become permanent management tools. Few owners progress beyond the initial stages of science-based training and fail to phase out lures and prompts, or clicks and food rewards. Few owners achieve reliable off-leash verbal control without the continued need of training aids and especially for times when the dog is at a distance of distracted. Thus few owners learn how to control their dog when off-leash at home, on walks or in the park.
Computer-generated learning theory has many severe constraints when applied in dog training. Schedules of reinforcement and punishment need to be completely re-evaluated in terms of effectiveness and expediency in pet dog training. Consequences are binary — from the dog’s perspective, either things get better, or they get worse, yet far too many owners and trainers focus on how things got better or worse in terms of choice of training tool (praise, food, toys, reprimands, jerks, shocks, etc.), or psychological principle (positive/negative reinforcement/punishment). Additionally, far too many trainers practice only half of binary feedback (reward-only or punishment-only). Teaching owners how to stop undesired behaviour is essential, otherwise they will resort to aversive techniques. Undesired behaviour may be effectively inhibited and eliminated without the use of aversive punishment.
Dog training is in danger of losing its soul. Far too many trainers have adopted impersonal, quantum consequences (clicks, treats, jerks and shocks) in lieu of verbal feedback. Trainers have become technicians, which although beneficial for refining timing or learning how to set criteria, lacks feeling when teaching people to develop relationships with their dogs. Just because computers had to dispense quantum kibble and shocks as consequential feedback does not mean that we need follow suit. Also, just because we need to adhere to scientific criteria does not mean that we cannot talk to our dogs. Moreover, by using instructive and analogue verbal feedback, people may transcend the training abilities of any computer. Well-timed quantum feedback only provides information vis a vis the desirability of specific behaviours, whereas a single word may provide the dog with several pieces of information: whether the behaviour is desirable or not, the degree of desirability or potential danger of the behaviour, plus specific instruction for how the dog may immediately correct undesirable behaviour.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Oh Soooooo True
A dear friend sent this to me and after I had dried my eyes – just had to share it with you all!
The Old Man and the Dog
By Catherine Moore
'Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!' My father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?' Those words hurt far worse, than any physical blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to,
as it were, to challenge him.
A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes, I wasn't prepared for another battle. 'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.' My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back.
At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain, and the rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in the North Western States of Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had revelled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered gruelling lumberjack competitions, and was often highly placed. The shelves in his house were filled with the trophies that attested to his
prowess. The years marched on relentlessly.
The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man. Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack.
An ambulance sped him to the hospital, whilst a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room, he was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died, his zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether, and Dad was
left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted having offered the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory, and he criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody, soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our Pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counselling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was apparently silent.
Something had to be done, and it was up to me to do it. The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called every mental health clinic listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered, but in vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I've just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she
read.
The article described a remarkable study, done at a particular nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically, when given responsibility for
a dog. So I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I had filled out the questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odour of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs, trying to
reach me. I studied each one, rejecting one after the other for various reasons, too
much hair, too big, too small.
As I neared the last pen, a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, he walked to the front of the pen and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. The years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray, his hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me something about him?' The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. 'He's a funny one, appeared out of nowhere two weeks ago and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. To date we've heard nothing, so his time is up tomorrow.' He gestured
helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. 'You mean you're going to kill him?' 'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy, we don't have room for every unclaimed dog.' I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision, 'I'll take him,' I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house, I honked the horn twice.
I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. 'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly. Dad looked, wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I wanted a dog I would have gotten one'. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones, you Keep it! I don't want it'! Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. my throat became dry and with a pounding into my temples I said; 'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!', but he ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed. Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger, and we stood glaring at each other like duellists, when suddenly the pointer broke free of my grip. He ambled toward my dad, sat down in front of him, then slowly, carefully,
raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes.
The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of an intimate friendship, and Dad named the pointer, Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community, hours spent walking down dusty lanes. They spent many reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years.
Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled as I felt Cheyenne's cold nose under our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened, when I found Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favourite fishing hole, I silently thanked
the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind. The morning of Dad's funeral dawned, overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to
the pews reserved for family.
I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made, filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.'
'I've often thanked God for sending that angel,' he said. For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: through the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article... Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter ....... his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father....... and the proximity of their deaths.
And suddenly, I understood, I knew now that God had answered my prayer after all.
Life is too short for drama and petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while you are still alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Forgive now, those who made you cry, you might not get a second chance.
Monday, February 22, 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCA'S NEWSLETTER
| E-NEWSLETTER 18 FEBRUARY 2010 EDUCATION It is heartening that the N SPCA is receiving requests from outside the SPCA movement for copies of our worksheets. This is a pleasing development as other organisations working in schools can also promote the welfare of animals. One example is the AVPFS (Alternatives to Violence Project Free State) with whom we have just met. They have access to all Free State high schools and would like to utilise our materials. We were also very gratified to receive a very generous donation of R9 000 recently from the Interact Club of Roedean School, representing an enormous amount of effort and commitment bearing in mind that three other Non Governmental Organisations received the same. Well done Roedean Interact. TWITTER Are you following us on Twitter yet? If not, please consider linking up with us. We won't overload you with irrelevant information and you will know what we are doing every day - go to http://twitter.com/NSPCA_SA. RESEARCH ETHICS UNIT According to the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, it is: - Inspired by the work of ethicists and philosophers who have pioneered new perspectives on animals; Informed by scientific work indicating that animals are sentient and possess complex systems of awareness; Seeking to relate these insights to how we treat animals today; Questioning the 'old view' of animals as simply things, machines, tools, commodities, or resources, put here for our use, and Holding that all sentient beings have intrinsic value and should be treated with respect. "Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are like us." Ask the experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are not like us." Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction. ~ Charles R. Magel WILDLIFE UNIT Every year millions of Rands are spent on curios, décor and fashion items made of wild animal products. It is not only the overseas tourist who buys these products but also the local market. The market even extends to cultural and traditional supplies with bits and pieces of animals being sold in places from exclusive boutiques to street-side vendors. It is amazing how many people don't consider that they or their homes are adorned with parts of dead animals and accept that these pieces are just decoration, almost factory made. Little thought is given to the previous life of the animal. With the advent of the FIFA World Cup and a dramatic increase in the number of tourists about to visit our country one wonders how many more animals will have to lose their feathers and quills. The Wildlife Unit appeals to readers to act thoughtfully and ensure that you are not responsible for the suffering of animals because you purchased the trinkets or added porcupine quills for your African themed table setting.
FARM ANIMAL UNIT Personnel from the NSPCA's Farm Animal Unit had a positive meeting with GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) regarding the lack of welfare taught to the officials in teaching and mentorship positions. This will hopefully lead to the development and subsequent inclusion of "welfare" as a specific subject in their training programme. An additional significant item covered in this meeting was the inclusion of the SPCA at grass roots level for the emerging farming projects. PRO-ACTIVE AND REACTIVE WORK It may appear to be a case of being in the right place at the right time but we see the moral as being "out there" to help animals - including in remote areas. An inspector responding to a call in the Amersfoort area regarding a horse with an injury to its leg came upon another case: - a stray horse with such severe injuries that we had to put her to sleep to end her suffering. Sometimes we are sent to areas for good reason. SALEYARDS Readers will share our frustration on the issue of saleyards where animals are traded. In terms of basic welfare standards and minimum legal requirements, backward steps seem to be the norm. To give an example, we are currently finding that fundamentals such as provision of water and using loading ramps (that are there for use) have become things of the past. We are quite aghast and taken aback by this. Apart from the legal requirements, is it really so much to ask from a moral standpoint to provide these animals with water? After all it is these same animals that are providing these auctioneers and farmers with their income! The Farm Animal Unit advises that we have exhausted all avenues trying to resolve this issue in an amicable manner. We shall now issue one warning to give them an opportunity to conform to legal standards, failing which we will prosecute. NEWS FROM THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY The N SPCA keeps abreast of trends and developments in advertising. We note an interesting case at the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) relating to a print advertisement featured in SAA's (South African Airways) in-flight magazine. Promoting hunting trips, it showed photographs of killed animals including elephant and buffalo plus an image of two dead lions with pictures of their hunters standing next to them. The wording, "Pride in the quality of our game" appeared below. The moral of the story is not to be afraid of raising concerns with the appropriate authority. The N SPCA experience over the years has been that the Advertising Standards Authority is fair, thorough and respected. Interesting too that in this instance the publication itself was taken to task which may create greater caution and more responsibility in future when advertisements are accepted. "REALITY" TELEVISION SERIES Late last week a media statement was placed on www.nspca.co.za headed "Reality TV - Precedent Set" which related to ITV being fined in an Australian Court for the killing of a rat in the "reality" series I'M A CELEBRITY . GET ME OUT OF HERE. SPONSORSHIP MADE EASY Individuals often take part in sporting events or fun challenges and at the same time benefit charity. We are pleased to announce that the N SPCA is registered with www.backabuddy.co.za and www.doit4charity.co.za which makes the whole process easy. The individual can direct potential donors to either of these web sites and money can be paid in: - including by credit card. Please pass on the message. Even if events are small, it all adds up and helps animals. Until next time With kind regards Chris Kuch | |
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
THE AGING DOG
Hi Everyone
Came across this interesting article the other day and thought I would share it with you all.
Enjoy!
Your dog's body takes a beating throughout his life. Muscles are pulled, joints stressed, and organs scarred by infection. Cell structure breaks down, decreasing the efficacy of organs and tissues. All of these traumas cause abnormal cell development, which in turn create tumors and arthritic conditions. On the outside, he can appear as healthy and active as any younger dog, but inside his organs are not functioning as efficiently as when he was younger.
For example, if the kidneys begin to deteriorate, they can continue to function with only 40 percent of the tubules (the part of the kidney that breaks down nutrients from urea) working. Your aging dog will continue feeling fine and behaving normally. However, this can take a quick turn for the worse if a kidney disease continues to deteriorate. This can happen slowly or what seems like overnight. Until this happens, the only difference in your dog will be his need to urinate more often. Otherwise, there is no sign of a problem. As he ages, you need to ensure his complete health by adjusting his diet, exercise, and by keeping a close watch on his behaviour. In fact, you'll notice many problems first through behavioural changes before his body shows the outward signs.
Changes in appetite, a lack of desire to move about, or overall grouchiness are usually symptoms of a deeper problem. Your dog's muscles will remain strong, provided he exercises. The more he does as a youngster, the more he can do as an oldster. You must keep in mind, however, that he cannot tell you he doesn't want to go those extra miles with you. All he wants is to be with you and please you, regardless of how he feels. His muscles may still be strong at this point, but his internal workings are no longer operating in prime condition.
Your dog can still remain physically healthy with a little less exercise - maybe two or three miles instead of five or maybe you can do the run on softer ground instead of hard concrete. The musculoskeletal system will usually exhibit arthritic changes as he turns into a senior dog. Arthritis is formed through changes in the joint bones, a reduction of cartilage, and a thickening of the synovial fluid between the joints. Often, inflammation can cause more irritation and lameness. Not only will the arthritic changes cause pain in the joints, but they will also cause atrophy in the muscles because your dog will not want to move around. The muscles begin to get loose and hang off the bones. This is most obvious along the spine, chest, and hind legs.
As the muscles atrophy, the skin will appear looser or baggy. Overall, your dog becomes a different dog as his senior years take over. He moves more slowly, picks at his meals, and may bump into things that he can't see. However, the biggest change will be in his behavior. As he ages, he may not only slow down, he will also become less excitable in general. He will still greet you with a wagging tail, but not jump on you or perform aerial leaps when you come home. When going out, he'll walk to the door and wait patiently as you search for his leash - no more racing in circles, barking excitedly, and jumping about.