How Your Dog's Behavior Changes With Age

No matter how old they get, our dogs will forever be puppies in our hearts. Even though we always don't want to face the realities of time, it's important for our dogs' health that we watch for the physical and behavioral signs of age. Here's what you need to know about how a dog's behavior will change as they grow older.

How your dog's behavior may change with age.

As puppies, dogs are adorable little bundles of energy and curiosity. They need constant stimulation and play, unless they're napping, which happens a lot as young pups. Much like humans, dogs will slow down with age. They begin to suffer aches and pains and can become irritable. Some dogs may even develop cognitive issues that will impact their behavior and quality of life even more. These aren't easy things to think about, but they shouldn't be ignored, either.

Signs and symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction.

Owners of older dogs need to be on the lookout for canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) — the dog version of Alzheimer's.

According to PetMD, CCD may be caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, which eventually damage nerves and impact a dog's memory, motor functions and learned behaviors. PetMD also notes that CCD is pretty common. Most older dogs experience some form of the condition, regardless of breed. In fact, a study from the Behavior Clinic at the University of California at Davis found that 28 percent of dogs between 11-12 years old, and 68 percent of dogs between 15-16 years old showed at least one sign of cognitive impairment — some showed more.

Changes in behavior: One of the primary signs of CCD is a change in how your dog interacts with humans and other dogs. If your older dog used to be super social and friendly, but suddenly becomes cranky, irritable or even aggressive, it could be a sign of CCD. Dogs diagnosed with CCD forget the things that once brought them joy such as favorite toys or treats.

Abnormal sleep patterns: A dog who used to be good for a full night of cuddles might start to sleep all day and wander around the house at night. You can try home remedies like tiring out your dog with play before bed time, or investing in a white noise machine to calm anxiety. But if those techniques don't work, you may need to talk to your veterinarian about medications to help an anxious older dog sleep.

Incontinence: Sadly, one of the most common symptoms of CCD is a regression in house training. Dogs who have been using the bathroom normally might start to have more accidents in the house. It's not that your dog doesn't care about using the bathroom in the right place anymore — he may have just lost control of his bladder and bowels.

Reduced energy: Older dogs experiencing CCD will often lose that spark of curiosity they once had. They may not be interested in exploring any more, and their overall activity level will likely drop. It may also be more difficult to get or keep their attention, meaning that activities like fetch may not be the same and even feeding times may require a little more active work on the owner's part.

Anxiety: CCD may also make older dogs more prone to anxiety. The best way to hold off symptoms of CCD is to make sure your dog is getting both the physical and mental exercise he needs every single day.

Dog behavior by age and stage of life.

Puppyhood (0-6 months):This stage can last longer for larger breeds, but the basics are the same for every breed. Puppies have lots of energy. The whole world is new to them, and their number one priority is exploring and learning everything they can. Puppies are developing a sense of appropriate and inappropriate behavior, so they might engage in mouth play with humans until corrected, or indulge in their urge to chew on furniture. The key is a lot of patience, careful attention and consistent correction to teach them the rules of the household.

Junior (7-12 months): Think of this as your dog's teenage years. He's able to sexually reproduce, so he thinks he's all grown up. But he's really just running around acting crazy because of his hormones.

Adult (1-7 years): Some dogs, particularly larger breeds, might take a little longer to reach full maturity. Large breeds can stay puppies from a maturity standpoint until they're 2 years old. Adult dogs still have energy to play, but they aren't necessarily the wild balls of fury they were as puppies.

Mature (7-9 years): Consider this your dog's version of middle age. He's probably starting to slow down quite a bit, but he's still got it together for the most part.

Senior (9+ years): This stage varies by breed. Senior dogs are in the last quarter of their life expectancies. This advanced stage occurs earlier for larger breeds than it will for smaller breeds, which tend to live longer. As seniors, dogs start to experience lethargy and age-related ailments like arthritis that make it difficult to move as well (or as frequently) as they used to.

Geriatric (from life expectancy on): When your dog reaches his life expectancy (which varies greatly by breed), he's officially geriatric. This stage is characterized by even more slowing down and more trips to the vet. Your dog can still live a healthy, happy life in his twilight years, but he'll need more support from you to keep his health in tip top shape.