Elemental Aging Tips for Your Old Dog
By Elizabeth Anne Johnson – 4Legged Wellness.
The Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a fun and helpful tool for understanding your Old Dogs personality, needs, and wants. It will also cue you in to specific behaviors and possible maladies that your elder dogs may display. The personality and behavioral aspects of this ancient technique provide a fresh view for how to really see your elder dog and how to create harmony and an adaptive home environment for their senior years.
As this ancient healing technique was originally created for humans and adapted for animals, you may also see shades of your elder human family members elements as we navigate our way through this intriguing topic. It sounds strange but learning “who your dog is” can create a helpful journey of understanding “who your human elders are” as well.
In this brief review from Know Your Dog’s True Nature, Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements, we look at a segment of TCM’s Five Element Theory which includes personalities and potential maladies. This elemental approach can gift us with many “aha moments” and potent information for the journey of senior dog-hood. Once you identify your old dog’s predominant element from the quizzes in Know Your Dog’s True Nature, you can support them with these simple lifestyle measures to keep them balanced and happy.
The Old Wood Dog
The Wood Dog does not take getting old very gracefully. They are not used to limitations with their bodies and will almost always be incredibly frustrated and grumpy as aging takes hold. His mind that is still raring to go and his strong determination and drive, will wreak havoc on his aging body.
Movement is an Old Wood dog’s medicine. Continued senior support of acupressure and massage will help, as will long walks out in a familiar forest or venue. As they continue to age, multiple short walks with some variety of scenery and smells will take the place of the long walks. This is an effective way to counter stiffness and keep his mind, eyes and nose stimulated. Just like in humans, regular varied stimulus, such as sight stimulus, can also help to slow down cognitive decline.
Teaching your fast learner Old Wood Dog some new tricks will keep him engaged and feeling successful. There are numerous great books on this. Enrichment activities are abundant. Finding what “gently challenges” your aging Wood Dog may be a simplified version of an event or play style that he loved and found success within his early life. He will always need to be successful at something to be happy and balanced.
If you have multiple dogs you may need to support his role in the family hierarchy. The longer he can be “top dog”, under you of course, the better for his morale. Lastly, if your Wood Dog is not aggressive with other animals, you may consider a new addition to the family. A new pup may be just what he needs to transition to his role as “teacher” and feed his leadership needs in a different way.
The Old Fire Dog
Include your Old Fire Dog in as much of your daily life as possible. Train them on a ramp and harness sling early so you can take them on errands or help them navigate stair climbs. Take short “adoration walks” about town or the neighborhood where they can gather attention. Being social is vital to their happiness.
Give them praise for anything and everything. They deserve it for all the light and joy they’ve given to the world.
Physically, Fire Dogs may have imbalances of excess heat both inside and outside their bodies. They may have stomach/gut issues, allergies, itchiness, skin and shoulder issues. They also may be prone to heart conditions. Keeping them grounded, cool, feeling loved, socially engaged, and giving them regular caring, physical touch can keep them balanced for a long, happy, fun life.
It’s important to schedule regular time to share touch with them. This special being has brought smiles into so many other lives and your loving touch is a great way to give back all the joy they gave to others.
The Old Earth Dog
The Old Earth Dog needs comfort and a peaceful atmosphere with very little change. They need lots of praise for doing small things, it makes them feel loved. They like to have buddies with them. Cats and other dogs, young children, help them feed their nurturing spirit. They are great Reading with Rover dogs and soak in all the attention and company that goes with that cushy job.
They also need to keep an adequate weight for the age-related decrease in physical exercise. Chubbiness will be a detriment to them. Feeding them vegetables when they are young, so they learn to like them early, is a low-calorie way to help fill the tummy.
Earth Dogs like the slow life so getting them to exercise may take a lot of gentle prodding and praise. However, they are “routine based” animals so if you keep the same routine as their younger years but just dial it back as age demands, they will do their best to get motivated. Low calorie treats help too!
Lastly, they really need their humans to spend time just being with them, maybe giving them long belly rubs and petting sessions while lying on the grass together. Some of the best memories I have with my old dogs is taking the time to simply sit and just be with them. It’s a profound and loving gesture in dog language and a healing balm for our own hearts.
The Old Metal Dog
The Old Metal Dog will always need a purpose. They thrive on having a sense of purpose and an outlet for their highly intelligent nose and mind. This can be challenging for owners to find as they age. Teaching scent work early in the aging process can give them a fun, rewarding, and purposeful challenge in their later years. It can also strengthen their fragile respiratory system and keep the body somewhat supple and limber. Metal Dogs can have a lack of flexibility in both their personality and body. When Metal Dogs internalize their stress, the imbalance it creates can cause respiratory issues, skin issues, constipation, and immune problems.
For Old Metal Dogs as with all elder dogs, it is important to pay attention to environmental factors affecting the respiratory and immune system. Their powerful nose may be the only sense they are relying on in their elder years. They can be adversely affected and confused by strong scents in detergents and cleaners, carpets, heavy dust loads, smoke and pest/weed control products etc. Be safe and green in and around your homes, you have a devoted sentinel to remind you.
Old Water Dogs
Old Water Dogs hold a wellspring of wisdom in their eyes. They have “been there, done that” on so many otherworldly levels as well as this one we live in. Old Water Dogs need to feel quiet and peace as they age as well as your deep connection and devotion. They prefer to be right by your side if they can be. Have comfy dog beds in all the places you frequent in your home.
Keep their muscles and back strong with regular walks of shorter duration and more frequency, start ramp training early as they tend to weakness in the hind end and may have problems jumping into cars and climbing steps. Slings can be very helpful also. Watch for excess drinking and urination and be sure to schedule a vet visit if you see this.
Old Water Dogs love energy work. Find a practitioner to teach you some acupoints for strengthening the hind end and kidneys. Take some courses in EFT tapping (emotional freedom technique) or any other modality that is quiet and low stress.
Enjoy your mystical, magical Old Water Dog. They are the ultimate Old Dog wisdom- keeper and will do their best to make you one too!
Learn more about your Five Element Dog and “why they do what they do”!
Elizabeth is the author of Know Your Dog’s True Nature – Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements (Findhorn Press/Inner Traditions), a professional animal healer of over 30 years, 2020 TEDx speaker: Four Life Lessons from Our Old Dogs, and also contributes articles to DWAA – Dog Writers Association of America, Happy Healthy Dog, Grey Muzzle, and Holistic Health Magazine in the U.K. Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest with her rescue dogs, Wilbur and Pretzel. https://www.elizabethannejohnson.com/
