There are a number of measures you can take to help your dog’s quality of life:

1. Keep your dog fit and at the correct weight by feeding an appropriate diet
2. Take your dog for three or four short walks a day rather than one long walk
3. Practice the simple commands your dog learned as a puppy and make sure to reward your dog appropriately
4. Play recall games and ball games
5. Use a clicker or whistle to reinforce training. Ask your vet to recommend a trainer or behaviourist if you are unsure on how to do this.

1. Hearing deteriorates with age in dogs, so you may need to use exaggerated hand and arm signals with your commands
2. Visual markers can help combat disorientation. Place a paper cross or similar marker on the door to the garden to indicate which one your dog should sit at if they want to go outside.
3. If your dog has started toileting in the house, help them to relearn the rules by accompanying them outside frequently, for example after eating, sleeping and playing. Warmly praise them and reward them if they do go to the toilet outside. Never punish your dog if they do soil in the house, this will only make matters worse