Senior Dog Care Consultations in San Francisco and everywhere online

Your senior dog deserves to thrive in their golden years, not just get by.

There is something really special about life with a senior dog. The deep trust you’ve built together, the way they know you, the quiet companionship that only comes with years of shared history. But loving a senior dog can also bring new and unexpected challenges, and it can feel surprisingly hard to find the right support when you need it.

Maybe your dog is slowing down and you’re not sure what’s normal and what needs attention. Maybe they’ve started showing new behaviours that are confusing or concerning, or they’ve lost interest in things they used to love. Maybe you’ve recently adopted a senior dog and you want to give them the best possible start in this new chapter. Whatever is bringing you here, you are not alone, and you are absolutely in the right place.

I’m Lindsay, a certified dog behavior consultant based in San Francisco, and supporting senior dogs and the people who love them is work that is really close to my heart.

Age is not a reason to give up. It’s a reason to show up differently.

One of the things I hear most often from people with senior dogs is some version of “I didn’t think there was anything I could do, I just thought this was what getting old looked like.” And it breaks my heart every time, because so often there is so much we can do. We just need to shift the way we’re thinking about it.

Senior dogs don’t need obedience classes or trick training. What they need is for someone to really look at their life, understand what’s changed, figure out what they need to feel comfortable and engaged and safe, and then build a plan around that. That might mean exploring new kinds of enrichment that work with their body rather than against it. It might mean adjusting the home environment so that day to day life is easier and less stressful for them. It might mean working closely with your veterinary team to make sure everything affecting your dog’s behaviour and comfort is being properly addressed.

This is exactly the kind of work I do. And I do it with force free, fear free methods, with a deep respect for where your dog is right now and what they actually need at this stage of their life.

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What senior dog care actually looks like

Senior dog behavior work is not about training in the traditional sense. It is about looking at the whole picture of your dog’s life and finding every opportunity to help them feel better, engage more, and enjoy their days.

We start with a thorough initial consultation where I learn everything about your dog. Their history, their current challenges, any behavioural changes you’ve noticed, their health, their environment, and what matters most to you as their guardian. From there I create a fully customized plan with immediate, actionable steps you can start using straight away, as well as a robust enrichment plan built specifically around your dog’s needs and abilities.

I work in close collaboration with your dog’s veterinary and care team, whether that’s your regular vet, a veterinary behaviorist, a canine massage or fitness practitioner, a physical therapist, or anyone else involved in your dog’s wellbeing. If you don’t have a full team in place yet, helping you build one is part of what I do. And if you just need someone in your corner who understands what you’re going through and can help you make decisions that feel right for you and your dog, that’s exactly what I’m here for.
This work is also deeply personal for me.

Through my work with Muttville, one of San Francisco’s wonderful senior dog rescue organizations, I have had the privilege of supporting many senior dogs adjusting to new environments and new circumstances. These dogs are so often dismissed simply because of their age, and I find that genuinely heartbreaking. Every senior dog deserves a full, enriched and joyful life right up until the end, and I will never stop believing that.

This is for you if…

Your senior dog is slowing down or disengaging and you want to understand what’s going on and what you can do to help

Your dog has developed new behaviours with age that feel confusing or out of character

You’ve recently adopted a senior dog and want to make sure you’re setting them up to feel safe and settled

You want support navigating the medical and behavioral complexities that come with caring for an older dog

You’re looking for someone who will work alongside your vet and care team, not in isolation from them

You want to make the most of this time with your dog and not look back wishing you’d done more

I do not offer general obedience classes or basic manners training. The dogs I work with need individualized, thoughtful care that takes their whole situation into account. If that is what you are looking for, I would love to work with you.

☆☆☆☆☆

“His training sessions were some of his happiest moments, and you truly helped us give him the best last two years possible. We’ve both learned so much in working with you and are so grateful to have gotten to know you through working with Levi.”

A few questions I get asked a lot

My dog is deaf, blind, or has mobility challenges. Can you still help?

Absolutely. I build every plan around the individual dog in front of me, and I take all physical and medical factors fully into account. If your dog’s needs change over time, whether that’s new mobility challenges, a new diagnosis, or shifting behaviour, we adjust the plan accordingly. No dog is too complex and no situation is too far along for us to find ways to help.

I don't really have training goals. I just want my dog to live a happy life. Is that enough of a reason to reach out?

It is absolutely enough, and honestly it is one of my favourite reasons to work with someone. Helping your dog live a full and joyful life is exactly what this is about. We are not here to teach tricks or fix obedience problems. We are here to make sure your dog’s needs are being met, that they are engaged and comfortable, and that you feel confident and supported in caring for them.

I don't have a vet or care team set up yet. Will you still work with me?

Yes, and helping you build that team is part of what I offer. I understand that finding the right support can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve had experiences in the past where you felt dismissed or judged. I regularly work alongside vets, veterinary behaviorists, canine massage practitioners, physical therapists, nutritionists and more, and I am happy to help you find the right people for your dog’s specific needs.

Does this happen online or in person?

The senior dog care initial consultation takes place online over Zoom, which means you can join from wherever is most comfortable for you and your dog. Ongoing 1:1 behavior work sessions are also conducted online, with in person sessions available for established clients when appropriate.

Ready to help your golden oldie thrive?

Book your Senior Dog Care consultation today and let’s make sure your dog’s golden years are exactly that.

Book your Senior Dog Care consultation