Module 1 | Introduction

This first module begins with an overview of what we might observe as our dog ages. We compare dog and human age and look at aging from a different perspective: Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCD).

We discuss a few concerns where preventive care is very important, even indispensable, to detect problems early.

Furthermore, we look a little deeper into the relationship between aging and possibly experiencing pain. You will get tools to better assess whether something is off, and we explain why you, as the person who lives with your dog every day, can play a very important role here. This gives you a framework for talking to health care providers, such as the regular veterinarian, animal physical therapists, balance and coordination trainers, etc.

This module is an overview and a good introduction to the format of the course.

Module 2 | Touch

In this module, we will begin to touch our dog intentionally. We all touch our dogs daily, pet, hug, and cuddle, often without thinking about what our hands are doing. We are going to change that because touching can be so much more if we consciously stop and think about what we are doing. You could say: We are going to pet with intention.

Don’t worry—you don’t have to memorize muscles, tendons, and bones. We do show you some anatomical landmarks so you know where to touch your dog’s body, but they are easy to find and remember. Furthermore, we use the fascia, the subcutaneous connective tissue. In this module, you’ll learn exactly what that is and how important it is.

The techniques we teach are simple to follow, and you don’t need any experience. If you can pet—and we all can—you can learn the techniques in this module.

Besides the wonderful relaxation you can give your dog with the knowledge and techniques from this module, you will find that your bond with your dog is greatly deepened by this kind of touching. One student said, “I never expected my dog to come and ask me for a session. It has become my moment of peace and tranquility, and this way of being together is priceless!”

Module 4 | Enrichment

This is possibly one of the most fun modules in the course! 

We’ll discuss what enrichment is and why it’s important – and fun! – to engage in it. 

Indeed, the effect of providing enrichment activities goes far beyond “just” doing games or using a snuffle mat (although that can certainly be part of it). 

Various forms of enrichment stimulate the formation of additional nerve connections in the brain, and you can’t have enough of those! 

In addition, enrichment activities promote a whole cascade of feel-good hormones released by the dog’s nervous system. This has a wonderful effect on our dog’s body and total well-being. 

You’ll learn all about that, and we’ll give you suggestions for different things you can do at home. This module is a solid starting point, and once you start intentionally doing enrichment activities, this will spark more ideas for fun new games. 

Some students find they can no longer go through a hardware or toy store without seeing a dog game in everything! 

Warning: this module can be addictive. 😉

Module 5 | Nutrition

This is a very large module with a lot of information. Nutrition is a big topic! 

First, we will describe aspects of nutrition at the cellular level and explain some of the things you can read on a pet food label. 

We provide some background on how nutrition is viewed in Traditional Chinese Medicine and how we can use that knowledge as the nutritional needs of our aging dog change. 

We explain what oxidative stress is and how we can help with food choices. We discuss some commonly used supplements and whether they can be useful or not. 

The role of the gut flora and how we can support good gut bacteria is also discussed. Furthermore, we discuss which human foods are unsafe and which are actually superfoods that we love to use. In addition to the text’s discussion, you will find an e-book about these to read at your convenience. 

By the end of this module, you will know much more about nutrition and its importance for the body. You will also have simple tips about little things you can do that have a lot of impact. The information in this module is useful for everyone, whether you feed kibble or canned food or give fresh and/or raw food.

Module 7 | Canine cognitive decline (dementia)

This module covers another common situation in older dogs: deteriorating mental abilities. This is a complex issue; we still need to learn a lot about brain functioning. We know a lot, but there is also a lot we don’t know yet. 

We will explain what is currently known and discuss symptoms and diagnostics (and their limitations). 

We will discuss what is medically possible when there is a clear suspicion of dementia so you can have an effective conversation with your veterinarian. Your role and observation as an owner at home are indispensable, especially when dementia is suspected! 

Next, we focus mainly on the first subtle signs and what we can do as owners. As with most diseases and problems, the earlier we intervene, the greater our chance of success. Here lies the most significant gain and our best opportunities. You’ll also find a scoring form in this module, looking at various facets of daily life. This will help you get a somewhat objective picture of what may or may not be happening with your dog. 

We will discuss several things that may help, from supplements and lifestyle interventions to medication. An interplay of different modes of intervention usually gives the best results. After this module, you will have a deeper understanding and tools to advocate for your dog effectively.

Module 8 | The last phase

This is a module on a difficult subject that needs to be discussed. Because, in one way or another, we all have to deal with it. No matter how hard we try or how many measures we take, there comes a time when we realize that our dog has most likely passed the halfway mark of his life, and that at some point a goodbye is coming. And leading up to that, there are things we need to consider and choices we need to make. In this module, we want to give you some guidance for these difficult choices.

The fact is that the vast majority of dogs leave life through euthanasia. Around the process of euthanasia, you may have questions, and there are things to consider. 

This module addresses quality of life: what is it, how do you know it’s still good enough, how do you determine when it’s time to say goodbye. 

We will also discuss the procedure itself, how it is done, and possible questions you may have for your veterinarian. We will also discuss mourning and practical matters to consider after your dog has passed. 

This module supports you in making good end-of-life choices. After all, we want quality of life for our dog but also a peaceful end. This module supports you in those aspects.