What if “senior” didn’t mean the end—but the beginning of a whole new chapter with your dog?

Today we’re joined by Helen St. Pierre, dog trainer and founder of Old Dogs Go to Helen Rescue. What started as a way to help dogs get adopted through training turned into a lifelong passion for giving senior dogs the love, dignity and care they deserve.

Helen reminds us that senior does not mean the end — our older dogs can still live full, joyful lives (and yes, even learn new tricks!). We talk about how to recognize important senior dog behavior changes, shifts in tolerance toward children or other dogs, and physical signs that tell us it’s time to adjust care.

Helen also shares practical, compassionate tips for making home adjustments for senior dogs—from mobility support to creating safer spaces—so our pets stay comfortable as they age. And when it’s time to face difficult decisions, Helen walks us through her three-pronged quality of life scale and what she calls “quality of death,” helping us advocate for our dog at the vet office and approach medical decisions with clarity and love.

Whether you share your life with a senior dog now or want to be ready for the golden years ahead, Helen’s guidance will help ensure your dog ages gracefully.

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