Thoughts on dogs and senior citizens?

[jenn D]

I didn't really know how to title this one. Do you guys think dogs provide benefits for seniors, specifically ones living alone? After being around PB&J my mom is contemplating getting a dog for companionship. She is in her 60's physically fit but she lives alone. She lives about 10 minutes from me and we are a close knit family. She comes over multiple times a week, has helped me with my kids and plays with our dogs. She is wondering if a dog would be a good thing for her or not. I know she gets lonely in her house and she likes to walk a lot. She has a small patch of grass in her backyard and does want to know if you can train a dog to go potty in a specific area because she would rather not have the grass covered in burn spots. She has no issue cleaning up in the rocks or other areas of the yard.
I guess I'm looking for the pros and cons of her getting a canine friend. From what I can see here are the pros and cons I'm aware of or that she is worried about:

Pros:
Lives alone and would like company in evenings especially
The dog would probably give her some feelings of security
It keeps her walking
We could take obediences classes together
She has a friend who is really into dogs who lives 2 houses away, a groomer.

Cons: (her worries)
She travels a few times a year so dog would probably come stay at "casa jenn" with our doodles while she was gone.
She is worried about her tiny parcel of grass getting ruined.
She bakes cakes for everyone in the family for celebrations and is worried the dog would have a hard time just hanging out in the house with her while she decorates.

Ok I'm sure there are more. Thanks for any advice. I'd like her to have a companion and some unconditional love but only if she really wants it.

[jenn D]

Also wanted to add, I really want to support her in making this decision whichever way it goes. I love dogs so I'm incredibly bias. This would be her first pet by herself and although I will help her and she can bring him or her with her down to our house I want the experience to be beneficial not a burden for her.
Thanks again.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Would she consider adopting an older dog?  It sounds like a mature dog may be a better fit for her.  Adult dogs are more content to just "hang out" than puppies and can still be trained to do things like potty in a specific spot.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We rescued Meg when I was 64 and hubby was 72, we added Polly at 65 and 73.  They fill a void we were not even aware of before having them.  They keep us active and entertained.  Meg travels with me frequently, Polly still gets car sick if in the car very long but we do have a college kid that we pay to stay at our house when we have to leave them behind.  My girls have a designated potty area and it is not real difficult to train them that way.  The dog will love hanging out with her where ever she is, when mine are banned from the kitchen during meals or cooking they lay right in the door way and watch every move.  There is a lot to be said for getting a dog that needs rescued and is past that puppy age.  The biggest 'con' for us is the cost of keeping a pet, especially those that get spoiled as much as ours...but we aren't broke yet so it really is not that big of a con to consider.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A few brown spots are hardly worth depriving oneself of a dog. I got two when I was over 60. They do tie me down a bit but the rest is all positive. I don't even have a daughter who takes them for vacation. On days when I might have difficulty getting going they get me up and going. Dogs are not cheap to own but if that is not a problem I say go for it.

[Carol and Banjo]

I feel (being 60) that I can relate to your Mom's situation.   It sounds like she has a perfect set up to getting a dog.....involved family nearby, close dog friendly neighbor, active life style.   It seems she has so much good going for her!    I can only imagine how much it would mean to me, if I lived alone, to have the constant companionship of a dog.   She will wonder why she didn't do it sooner!     As for the potty training.....I'm sure that could be accomplished.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm also in my 60s and can't imagine not having a dog. But I've never lived without one, since I was 6 years old.

Has your mom ever had a dog? Is she aware of the financial aspects of owning a dog? Does she have an extra hundred dollars a month (or more) to cover that? 

That would be the first "Con" on the list for many older people.

As for the "Cons" you did list, to me they are non-issues. If you are willing to have the dog at your house while your mom travels, that solves that. Grass getting ruined, well, grass is just not that important to me, lol. If it's very important to your mom, a dog might not be the best idea. And most dogs are happy hanging out in the house with their person whether the person is decorating cakes, reading, watching TV, or whatever, as long as they are getting enough exercise and mental stimulation.

Which brings me to the next "Con" I would consider. 

Leash walks and training classes would never have been enough exercise for JD when he was younger. He needed to run every day, and run hard, which meant off-leash. (JD can still walk faster than I can run). In the past I had small poodles and poodle mixes who could get enough exercise from walks and running around indoors, but a big retriever mix needs a lot more than that. That was the main reason I hesitated in adopting him. 

I would recommend that your mom only consider smaller dogs; much less expensive to own in just about every way, much easier to provide exercise for, and can't steal the cakes from the counter. lol

JD is not the last dog I will ever live with, but next time around, I'm going with small lap dog. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That all sounds fine to me, and you are a very valuable resource for someone who needs to brush up on her dog-owning skills. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds perfect all around.  I would also recommend a rescue of an older dog, but get this book for your mom to read, A Dogs Life, by Ann M. Martin.  It talks about a dog who gets adopted and is a beautiful story.  Your mom will like it.  In fact, I think I will take it to my mom (97 years old) to read also.

We got our first doodle when my husband retired in 2003 to be a companion to his standard poodle.  We fell in love with the breed and are on our fourth doodle (maybe) now.  The big problem is traveling and they love to travel but we have a problem when we take them to Yuma to visit my husband's family.  We used to have a mobile home there, but it has sold, and now we stay in hotels.  We have had a dogsitter come to the hotel when we go to family activities, but we have never left the dogs anywhere.  That may change.  I take care of several dogs when their families are traveling, so I may start leaving my dogs with someone else when we are traveling.  Usually it is only one of us gone at a time, but there are some occasions when we both need to be gone.

You are lucky to live so near your mother.  I'm glad she is enjoying water aerobics, and that is the perfect occasion for her to take her dog to you for a little socialization.  Start putting your name out there and you will find the perfect companion for her.

[Lynda Kamrath]

A rehome would probably be the best choice for her.  A rehome occurs when someone cannot any longer care for a dog (death, moving, whatever) and they need to place a pet in another home.  They are usually more stable than rescues, so talk with the DRC in your area, or other rescue organizations, and you may be able to get a rehome.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I think a dog is a great addition!  I have read through the comments, and so many good points, and positive points at that!  Keep us posted!  

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I couldn't imagine having a house without a dog. Both Hubby and I both just turned 60.
Of course, I've never been without. If she has not had a dog in awhile, you will need to remind her of the downside....
Puppyhood can be tough....even with a young adult, there can be accidents, chewing, " the get out, with no re-call, the lovely yaks that never seem to find the tile, but always the lightest part of the rug. I could probably think up more, but we don't want her to run and hide her he'd, either! ;)

[sandy b]

Dh & I are both in our late 60s and love having Max. He keeps us active! When we got him 6 yrs ago as an 8wk old puppy we set up a small fenced area outside (2 puppy playpens) and that's where we would take him to potty. So yes it's doable to have a potty spot. This was great for middle of the night outings. I would put him in the fenced area without a leash and then said potty, potty etc. he now pees on command!
The only thing I think about as I get older and if we would ever have another dog, I would get a smaller dog that I could easily pick up. Max is only 30lbs but it would be a chore if I had to carry him for some reason!