I think that certain senior citizens, my dad included, are like Border Collies, or really any working dog breed – they need a job to feel happy and fulfilled. Take that away from them, and problems abound. In dogs this may manifest into aggression or destructive tendencies. The elderly can become depressed and reclusive, listless and unhappy.
A relaxing retirement seems like the prize at the end of a long life, but for some, a job provides meaning and purpose and punctuates one’s life. This is not dissimilar to the life of a dog.
If you own a working dog especially, but really most dogs will enjoy a fun activity, consider trying one (or more) of the following:
Agility – in, out, over and through this sport is all about working as a team
Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy – the warm head of a friendly pet can soothe a lonely heart
Bikejoring – some dogs love to run. Adding the responsibility of teamwork adds to the fun.
Canicross – dog powered running for those who want to share their running goals with their best friend
Carting – channel the desire to pull into harness work that lets the dog feel useful and skilled
Coursing and racing – root instinct drives the joy of running with purpose in coursing and racing
Disc Dog or Flying Disc – if there was ever meaning to jump for joy this is it, jumping with achievement
Dock Jumping or Dock Diving – dogs who excel in this sport are love to show they can do it further and better
Dog Parks and Dog Walks: Socialization and Off-leash Play – a joy for the social dog, think tot lot
Dog Scootering – some dogs love to run. Adding the responsibility of teamwork adds to the fun.
Earthdog Trials – instinct, drive, and flying dirt – what more could an earthdog want
Flyball – excitement, speed, and focus, a sport for dogs driven to do it faster
Flygility – racing and teamwork to build confidence and a sense of belonging
Games – the most basic of interactions, fun ways of practicing skills of hunting, fetching, working together
Herding – it’s all about the dog’s instinct and desire to control and direct movement for the pack leader
Hiking, Backpacking and Dog Walks – sharing our quiet moments, our contemplations is the essence of being a pack
Hunt and Field Trials – working as a team is what drives these dogs
Mushing – for dogs who love to pull and people who want to let them
Obedience – precision, focus and a great activity for perfectionist dogs, those who love to get it exactly right
Performance Art (Tricks) – curiosity and a willingness to try new things makes this fun
Pet Facilitated Therapy – for the dog who loves attention what better way to get it than visiting people in need
Precision Drill Teams – the excitement of success, of meeting a challenge and being a part of the team
Pulling – great for dogs who love to pull, and people who want to let them
Racing – for the dogs who love not just running but being faster than the next one
Rally Obedience – more focus on teamwork, less focus on precision, fun and relaxed for human and dog
Ring Sport – a sport that says “I can be a contributing member of the family” Some dogs thrive on responsibility
Rollerblade – a fun way for dogs and humans to share exercise and fresh air
Schutzhund – tracking, obedience, protection, schutzhund is all about what a well rounded dog is all about
Search and Rescue – for some making a difference is important, that includes dogs, they know it matters
Skijoring – dogs love to pull, people love to ski. Put the two together and you have skijoring
*For the complete list, and more information, see here: www.dogplay.com/index.html