Exercise
Just how much does your dog need
All dogs need exercise. Their natural life would consist of periods of intense activity hunting, which can involve what we would consider a marathon, interspersed with periods of relaxation. Dogs can also sleep when there is nothing else to interest them, but don’t mistake this as a sign that’s all they need. The mention of the word ‘walk’ or the rattle of a lead will usually result in them being instantly awake and alert. Some need more exercise than others and this is not just breed specific as individuals can vary in their needs and preferences.
Small dogs naturally need less exercise than large dogs as a general rule, but very large dogs like Great Danes actually don’t need much at all as they can overstress their joints too easily, and greyhounds, the archetypal racing dog, need very little, just a sedate walk and perhaps a quick sprint for a few minutes is all they need to stay fit.
Street walking is all well and good, and if you live in a city this may be all that is available locally, but it’s good to let them off in a park or in fields where they can run free and enjoy themselves, and you should try to fit in one of these at least once a week, more frequently if possible; all UK cities pride themselves on their parks, and there is probably one near enough to you too, be careful about mess though, and always carry a 'doggy bag' to remove it and deposit in one of the many dog bins there usually are. If you have a large garden you may think it sufficient to ‘let the dog out’ when they ask, but their garden, unless it’s a huge wilderness, will quickly become too familiar, and they still appreciate an outside walk where they can meet other dogs, form relationships and play. So don't be lazy, go walk the dog! It will also benefit you too; dog owners are on average fitter and healthier than non dog owners, it's a good excuse to get yourself out and walking, the best exercise for humans also.
Freya with her frisbee
There are toys such as frisbees which can exercise your dog with less effort from you, and ball launchers which enable a long throw with just a flick of the wrist. If your dog is very active, and you're not, you may wish to try this, but be warned that if you do it excessively and don't let your dog just explore and meet other dogs, they can end up obsessive about the ball and uninterested in anything else. They may also get joint problems later in life from too much exercise when they should be slowing down, but still want to race after the ball.
Caring for an older dog
Exercise
Older dogs don’t need as much exercise as younger dogs, but they still need to get enough in order to stay fit. They may have less bladder control, so will need to go out more frequently. Older dogs, especially short haired breeds, may need a warm coat to go outside in the winter. If she/he gets wet while out, make sure that they are dried when you return; keep a ‘dog towel' handy by the door for this, that is, an old towel which is reserved just to dry the fog.
Feeding
Older dogs need smaller, more frequent meals. They may leave some food for later, so don’t take their dish up when they leave it, they will visit again when they feel hungry. But don’t give too much food, keep an eye on your dog’s weight as dogs kept slightly underweight without being starved have been shown to live longer, much healthier lives. Just like humans, dogs can overeat and end up obese.
There are plenty of special diets for elderly dogs, and it’s best to give them ‘lite’ versions of their favourite food, which is low in fat. Old dogs’ teeth may have been lost over their life, and if this is the case you should ensure their food is easy to eat and tasty, to avoid the dog going off its food, possibly adding something they love such as some bits of chicken.
Health
Older dogs should have more regular health checks, and keep a watchful eye for any problems, e.g. tummy upsets. Problems it may have shrugged off as a youngster can be more serious for older dogs unless treated early.
Groom your dog regularly (especially dogs who have been neutered) as old coats may get thicker and more difficult to manage unless carefully looked after. Older dogs, especially certain breeds, may develop fatty lumps under the skin. These are not usually of concern, but need careful monitoring in case they are cancerous. You need to determine:
Is it within the skin or beneath it? A lump beneath the skin is more likely to be a tumour, but a lump in the skin is probably a cyst.
Is the lump a definite single mass, or a more general swelling? If the latter, it could be a haematoma [a small parcel of blood that forms under the skin from an injury.
Is there fluid draining from it? If there is, it's more likely it's a cyst, which can contain pus and blood. Cysts aren't cancerous, but it needs to be lanced, drained, cleaned and all dead tissue removed by your vet. If it keeps coming back, a large cyst may need to be treated under anesthetic and surgically removed.
Where is the tumour? If it's benign. it may still need removing if it could harm other parts of the dog's body close by, or make the dog prone to developing secondary problems like skin ulcers, difficulty walking or breathing etc., so it may still need to be removed. If in doubt, have your vet take a look; they will in most cases be able to reassure you there's nothing to worry about.
Is the lump soft or hard like a rock? Cancerous tumors in a dog are more likely to feel hard like a rock, benign tumors such as fat cell tumours are softer.
You should examine your dog regularly, running your hands over their body, when you will detect any lumps or irregularities. The more familiar you are with their body, the more obvious any change or growth will be.
Diet is often key to avoiding cancerous tumours in dogs, this page has details of what can cause cancer and how to avoid it through diet.
Defra have a Code of Practice for dogs in PDF format which outlines the animal welfare act where it applies to dogs, and a code of practice for responsible dog ownership here