As dogs age, they become a bit stiffer when it comes time to get up, and with my dog this was most noticeable in the morning.
One of the worst things we can do for our aging pets is to ignore their pain. This ages them very quickly, and can cause depression and/or anxiety and a shorter life. You know your dog better than anyone, and you will be able to read the signals. With Sasha, she didn't want to go up the stairs to the bedrooms as much. Instead of sleeping beside my bed upstairs, she opted for the living room on the main floor.
So before you think it is a behavioral problem, get him/her checked out, but chances are if they are over 7 it could be age related aches and joint pain. Once we knew Sasha was OK otherwise, we were told to consider giving her glucosamine for dogs to try before using pain killers which are hard on their systems.
What is the Best Glucosamine for Dogs? - One that they will Take!
The best one is one they will take daily. I know this sounds simple but there are a ton of brands on the market and I went through a couple of samples from my Veterinarian office before I found one on my own that Sasha would take. It is a treat to her. Other brands were left on the floor. She happily eats this one and looks forward to it.
No point in giving her something she would hate, or this would be a struggle every day and I didn't want that. I found this brand that is made in the USA to be super tasty and easy to fit into her daily schedule. Within a few weeks I noticed a bit more movement and less stiffness. This is something you have to stick to and give each day for it to work. It is a gentle action, it doesn't work instantly but more of a gradual thing. Try and give it at the same time each day to get the best benefits.
So, if you begin to notice stiffness and your dog not doing the same activities or walking stiffly or limping, get him/her checked out then discuss glucosamine for your dog. It happens to all of us eventually and it has been a proven supplement in humans, but get the doggy product as it is provides vitamins and enzymes that are critical for your dog. These are soft chews making it easier for them to take. No need to hide it in their food or make a fuss, give it as a treat each day.
At this writing there were over 1995 positive reviews on this product. We all want our dogs to age well. Some breeds experience joint pain and stiffness quite early in their life especially the larger breeds. Sasha started to walk stiffly and have problems getting off her bed at age 7, but she is a 65 pound dog. Smaller dogs might get a few more years before they begin to feel this aging effect. Just monitor.
You know your dog best. If you get them onto this supplement early on, this will help delay these issues. For your dog to have its best retirement, you need them to feel less aches and pains, and as they age make sure to use senior dog aids when needed such as dog ramps, and dog supports to help them enjoy their golden years!