Senior Dog Comfort & Care

Teaching your dog to sit doesn’t feel quite the same as dealing with separation anxiety — behavior and training are different things but very much intertwined. So, what’s the difference, and why is it important for you to know?

Training is all about teaching your senior dog new skills or perhaps brushing up on ones they used to know. Skills like sit, down, stay, walking nicely on leash, etc. Training is about teaching a dog what to do and how to act.

Dog behavior focuses on the why a dog reacts a certain way and tries to address how they feel in different situations. When working in this realm, the main goal is changing emotional associations. And guess what — when you change how your dog feels about something, often you get better actions as part of the deal!

If you need professional support for your senior dog, you’ll want to evaluate whether you need a certified dog trainer or a canine behavior consultant. Often behavior consultants are also certified dog trainers, but not always. And for complex behavioral issues, a veterinary behaviorist will be the most helpful resource for you.