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The Best Ways to Keep an Aging Dog Active

Your older gun dog may not be as good as they once were, but that doesn't mean it's time to hang it up just yet.

The Best Ways to Keep an Aging Dog Active

For me and my dogs, our main objective of hunting is never to fill the game bag. Although it is nice when we do, our goal is to merely be out there together. (Photo By: Chris Midgette)

“Send me, Dad!” Those young, fire-filled eyes bore holes into me. We know that Boykin look, the deep longing, the look of “what can I do to make you happy?” The eyes tell it all. I gave him the command and off like a bullet—albeit short, stumpy, and brown—Cooper was gone. He’d marked the dove well, went straight to it, brought it back, and dropped it at my feet. We’ve had a hell of a time growing up together, hunting all over the U.S., and making memories. He’s starting to slow down, he gets a little limp after a few miles, and I have to limit his exercise or else he won’t be able to walk the next day. 

There’s a fire in those eyes still, behind the fog, but sadly, his body can’t keep up with his drive. It will always break my heart when I’m forced to leave Cooper, my 11-year-old Boykin spaniel, at home, when instead, I load up the truck with Traveller, my young, little hellion to head out in the field. I feel as though I break Cooper’s heart a little bit every time I leave the house without him with my upland boots and gun in hand. Last year it hit me really hard; my old man is truly getting old. 

So, in the time I have remaining, I’ve really tried to find ways to get some “Cooper and me” time. If you’re like me, you still want to get out there with the old veteran, but maybe in “micro-doses.” Here’s how to keep your aging bird dog active in their golden years.

How to keep an aging dog active
Your aging dog won't care how many shots are fired or birds are bagged, they'll be happy just to have some extra time afield. (Photo By: Chris Midgette)

Time Your Hunts

Typically, if it’s just Cooper and I, we either hunt early morning or head out for a “gentleman’s afternoon hunt.” Seated under a big shady tree with plenty of snacks, water, and time to waste, Cooper and I waited for the doves to start flying. It was early morning with nice cool temperatures so the old man didn’t get overheated. I am more selective with my shots when it’s just me and him. I find that we are more casual about our hunting together now and tend to just enjoy our time together. 


If upland hunting with your seasoned veteran, try to time your hunts either before it gets too hot, or go in the afternoon once it has cooled off a good bit. If waterfowl hunting in cold weather, maybe go for a late morning or early afternoon flight rather than trying to get that first early morning hunt in when it is freezing cold.

How to keep an aging dog active
Timing your hunts around favorable weather conditions is a sure way to keep your older dog eager and willing to work. (Photo By: Chris Midgette)

Be Selective About Which Birds You Target

For me and my dogs, our main objective of hunting is never to fill the game bag. Although it is nice when we do, our goal is to merely be out there together. If Cooper and I are able to kill a few birds while we sit and discuss life and solve world issues, then it was a heck of a day. If I never pull the trigger and Cooper falls asleep with his head on my foot, then it’s still a success. 

I picked out a dove flying toward our shady tree and dropped him about 20 yards in front of us. Cooper waited patiently for me to give the word and then trotted out to pick up our bird. He still gave it his all, but the motor was just slower now. We’d only end up bagging the single bird that morning before heading home. A successful and enjoyable day in my book. 


With a long season, liberal bag limits, and relatively little work involved, dove hunting allows for a plethora of hunting opportunities with an aging bird dog. I don’t need to worry about keeping him from freezing or how much energy he’s exerting; heck, I just need to wear my shooting belt, bring a bucket to sit on and bring snacks. Typically, there won’t be too many long-distance retrieves and with my shooting, he may not have too many retrieves period. 

How to keep an aging dog active
Dove hunting is great way to give your aging gun dog some retrieves in the early season. (Photo By: Chris Midgette)

Preserve It

Another thing I’ve found that really works well to get some more time in the field with my older dog, is to hit our local hunting preserve. Cooper doesn’t know that these birds were planted for us and quite honestly, I don’t think he’d care anyways. He’s happy to be out there with me, flush a few birds, and get a few retrieves. I really enjoy taking Cooper to these places because it’s about as close to real hunting as possible and I can have a lot more control over the hunt. How many birds do we want? What size area should we hunt? Should I go for just a morning or evening hunt? 

This is a perfect way to keep your older dog “hunting” without having to walk for miles and miles, just hoping to find a single wild bird. We can easily have an enjoyable, convenient, short hunt together whenever we want by visiting the preserve. 

Take a Lesson from Your Dog

I find that I think about the future way too often. I see Cooper moving slower, getting sore, and I think about a sad future without him. What I should be doing, is taking a lesson from him and focusing on the “now.” He doesn’t think about anything other than the present moment, and it’s up to me to ensure he enjoys those moments. I need to make sure I squeeze out the happy out of every last moment with my buddy. 

Our dogs give us unmitigated love and devotion, such that we can never replicate. Jim Casada once wrote that, “Dogs are the only creatures on earth privileged to see their god in person.” Without sounding too pompous and arrogant, we are our dog’s god, so ensure we are a good one. Don’t think that just because they are no longer in their prime that they don’t deserve a good outing or two. 

There’s no such thing as a bad outing with our faithful companions, especially our aging ones. Look at those hunts for what they are; more time with our best buddies, away from distractions, work, TV, Facebook, etc. We owe it to our loyal hunting companions to sometimes leave our younger pups at home and just be out there for no other reason than making them happy.

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