We have two senior dogs in our house. Thunder will be 10 in March and Storm is 8 1/2. It has been a challenge to exercise our seniors this winter because we have had a lot of ice. We discourage the dogs running on ice, especially the seniors, because ice can be a recipe for an injury. Who needs that?
Still, Thunder and Storm need exercise.
Luckily we have snow up at the cabin. We headed out to a back road which had a nice coating of fresh snow which meant it was not at all icy and perfect for senior dogs fetching bumpers. We used white and white/black bumpers which added a bit of challenge since we were throwing them against a mostly white background which made it more difficult for the dogs to see them.
Senior Dogs Fetching Bumpers
Thunder was up first and pretty rusty. I threw the bumper to the edge of the road, but he decided it just had to be off to the side. Or maybe he smelled something more interesting in the cover.
When it was her turn, Storm did an excellent job. One of her bumpers landed off to the side of the road, but that was no problem for Storm.
Hope you enjoyed the photos of our senior dogs fetching bumpers.
How do you exercise your dog during the winter months?
I have to giggle at Storm’s gleeful expression.
I’m glad you all had snow much fun :o) and I agree for the ice… it can be dangerous for seniors… like my momma who never wants to be a star on ice after the double rittberger from last year :o)
This is such a great idea. We’ve been using Puller rings to get three of our dogs exercise. Sydney and I go for solo walks, because she’s not much for fetch.
Do you put a scent on the bumper?
We don’t, but they have been retrieving bumpers since small pups, (and have been through force fetch training). Sometimes people will tie a wing on a bumper or use bird scent. You can get those from any bird dog training website and some sporting goods stores.
Snow, glorious snow! Know these “senior” dogs save their energy for FUN! This is not exercise, like going to the gym! Hope they have many more says hunting bumpers.
What amazingly happy snaps!
Well, from the looks on their faces they were having an excellent time! Good to see some “old dogs” keeping themselves in great shape.
We don’t do anything much different from other times of the year except we are out a bit more than when it is hot out in the summer. Good job hunting bumpers!
I work our guys out on the treadmill and put our seniors on a slow walk. At 13, Sophie is having a hard time wading through the snow.
Shadow and I play ball out in the yard. I use the ChuckIt launcher and she runs after it. Then we meet halfway, walk to another spot, and I throw it again. Since she has some arthritis, I try to break up our play sessions into 5- and 10-minute sessions with rest in between.
Ducky loves to play keep away, so I indulge her but I also work with her on leave it, and give. She has figured out that when I stop running after her and say “give”, it means play time is over for a while. She leaves her toy for me, and we go inside.
They look like they are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and you would never know they were seniors, other than the white on their faces!
Those are some great pictures and exercise.