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When It’s Time to Slow Down: Supporting Aging Dogs With Gentle Care
As dogs get older, their needs quietly shift. Many people grow up hearing that “more exercise is always better,” but that isn’t always true especially for senior dogs. With age comes new limits, new comforts, and new rhythms. And sometimes, slowing down is exactly what they need to stay happy and comfortable.
After many years in the dog-walking and pet industry, we’ve learned that rest is not a sign of weakness. It’s part of caring for a body that has worked hard, loved deeply, and shared countless adventures. Some of the happiest senior dogs we’ve known are the ones who enjoy gentle movement, soft sniffing time, warm sunspots, and long, peaceful naps.
Letting your dog rest isn’t giving up. It’s listening.
What “Retirement” Truly Means
Retirement doesn’t mean your dog’s life becomes smaller or less joyful. It just means their activities shift into something that feels good for their body and mind.
A retired or slower routine might include:
Over the years, we’ve walked dogs who eventually traded their long hikes for peaceful neighbourhood strolls. Some needed breaks after illness. Some simply preferred naps and yard time over the rush of group adventures. And every one of those choices was valid and deserving of respect.
Retirement isn’t an ending — it’s a transition into a softer chapter.
When Group Walks Stop Being the Right Fit
Senior dogs often show subtle signs when they’re ready for gentler routines. Maybe they lag behind more than usual. Maybe they hesitate getting into the car. Maybe some days they seem eager, and other days they quietly opt out. These moments can be hard to see, but they’re also honest communication.
Group walks can be wonderful for many dogs, but they aren’t always the best match for aging bodies. The pace, excitement, and movement can simply be more than a senior dog is comfortable with and that’s okay.
There comes a point where slowing the whole group isn’t possible or fair to the younger, more energetic dogs. When that moment comes, it’s not about failure. It’s about acknowledging a dog’s changing needs with kindness.
While we only offer group walks, some dogs eventually benefit from quieter, one-on-one care. If you reach that stage, here are a few Vancouver dog-walking businesses you may want to look into:
We’ve heard good things about these companies over the years and hope they may be helpful — but every dog is different, and every business can change. We encourage you to do your own research, ask questions, and choose what feels right for your dog. If you ever have a negative experience with anyone on this list, please let us know so we can keep this information current and fair.
Our goal is always simple:
to honor what your dog needs, even when those needs change.
Letting Go of Guilt
One of the hardest parts of caring for an aging dog is the quiet guilt that can creep in, the feeling that we’re taking something away by slowing down. But offering rest isn’t robbing them of anything. It’s giving them comfort, ease, and love in a time when their body asks for gentleness.
A slower life is still a full life.
Your dog has shared so many miles, memories, and moments with you. They’ve earned their slower mornings, their shorter strolls, their comfortable beds, and their quiet afternoons. Paying attention to their changing needs is one of the most compassionate things you can do.
If you’re ever unsure whether it’s time to adjust their routine or retire them from group walks, please reach out. We’ll talk it through with honesty, care, and a deep respect for your dog’s well-being. We’re here to support both of you through this stage — however it unfolds.
With care,
Lucian & Nick
Douglas Fur Pets
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Douglas Fur Pets — Next to you, we’re your pet’s best friend. Vancouver’s go-to for epic group walks, It’s all we do, it’s what we’re best at and your dog’s about to be obsessed.
We acknowledge we live and work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful for their care and stewardship of these lands and waters — past, present, and future.
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