David Gandy has teamed up with Petgevity to create a special bow tie for senior dogs, designed to signal that older dogs may need more space, time, and patience when out in public.
The model and entrepreneur's nine-year-old rescue terrier Dora is helping to put the message in the spotlight.
For dog owners, seeing their beloved companion slow down with age can be an emotional part of life together. Walks may become shorter, getting up can take longer, and busy environments that were once easy to navigate can suddenly become challenging.
But what looks like ‘bad behaviour’ to a stranger could actually be a sign that an older dog is struggling with an age-related change.
Now, model and clothing brand owner David Gandy is helping to change that perception with a new accessory designed specifically for senior dogs.
Working with pet insurance brand Petgevity, David has helped create a limited-edition bow tie and matching collar that acts much like a ‘baby on board’ badge.
Worn by his own rescue terrier Dora, aged nine, the accessory is intended to let people know that a dog may need a little more space, time and patience, particularly in busy public places and on public transport.
David adopted Dora as a puppy in 2017.
“Dora acts like a young dog, but it’s on my mind what support she may need as the years go on,” he says.
“I know there'll be owners of senior dogs across the UK who are thinking the same.
“As dogs get older, they can suffer from worsening eyesight or hearing and need a little more time, support and space.
“By having the bow ties out and about, I hope it will encourage people to be just as understanding of age-related health changes in dogs as they are with humans.”
Senior Dogs Being Misunderstood
The campaign follows new research from Petgevity involving more than 1,000 owners of senior dogs, which highlights just how easily ageing can be misunderstood.
Nearly one in five (18%) owners say they have felt judged while out with their senior dog, while 22% worry that strangers think their dog is badly behaved.
And it appears those concerns are not unfounded. Nearly two in five (37%) owners surveyed have previously thought their dog was behaving badly when they were actually seeing signs of ageing.
Grumpiness was the most commonly misunderstood behaviour, reported by 50% of those owners.
For some dogs, the first signs of getting older may be much more subtle. A slower walking pace was identified as the first sign of ageing by 19% of owners.
As walks become slower and public spaces become harder to navigate, the result can be that a senior dog's world gradually becomes smaller.
Why Public Transport Can Be Difficult
Public transport is one area where these challenges can become particularly noticeable.
More than a third (36%) of senior dog owners say they have avoided public transport altogether because they were concerned it would be too difficult or stressful for their pet.
Among those owners, 56% said crowded conditions were a concern, while 34% cited excessive noise and 25% said there was nowhere for their dog to sit comfortably.
For an older dog, the journey itself can involve a combination of challenges. Getting onto a bus, negotiating steps, standing while a vehicle moves, or simply processing unfamiliar sounds and smells can become harder with age.
The bow tie is intended to give owners a simple way of communicating this to the people around them without having to explain their dog's needs every time.
The Invisible Health Problems Behind Behaviour
Vet Dr Emma Chandley, who is working with Petgevity on the campaign, has highlighted three age-related conditions that can affect how dogs behave in public: vision loss, arthritis and canine dementia.
“Vision loss can be hard to spot because dogs compensate with hearing and smell,” she explains.
It can make it difficult for dogs to judge step height and distances, causing them to hesitate and become more cautious. Dr Chandley advises giving dogs with reduced vision space and avoiding approaching or touching them unexpectedly.
Arthritis can also have a major effect on an older dog's ability to get around.
“Arthritis is extremely common in senior dogs,” Dr Chandley says. “Canine Arthritis Management estimates it affects around 35% of dogs overall, rising to approximately 80% of dogs over 8 years of age.”
For dogs with arthritis, getting up, maintaining balance while a bus or train is moving and negotiating steps can all be difficult.
Her advice is simple: allow an older dog more time, regardless of how much of a rush you may be in.
Canine dementia can present another challenge. Dr Chandley says it can begin from around six to eight years of age, with public transport potentially exposing dogs to a confusing combination of sounds, smells and movement.
Dogs experiencing cognitive changes may become restless as they struggle to process what is happening around them.
“Don’t dismiss this as being fussy or annoying,” she says, adding that even loud conversations or phone calls can distress some dogs in these situations.
More Health Issues Than Owners Realise
The Petgevity research also suggests that health concerns can appear earlier in a dog's life than many owners might expect.
According to Petgevity data, 51% of dogs in the UK develop a lifelong health issue by the age of four.
Despite this, many owners may not immediately recognise when changes in behaviour are linked to an underlying health problem.
The finding that 37% have mistaken ageing for bad behaviour highlights how important it can be to understand what is normal for an individual dog and recognise when something has changed.
Dr Chandley specifically warns that unexplained grumpiness in an older dog is “worth seeing a vet for”.
Owners Are Adapting Alongside Their Dogs
While senior dogs may face new challenges, the research shows just how committed their owners are to supporting them through later life.
One in five (20%) owners say they love their dog more in later life than when they were younger.
Owners are also making significant changes to accommodate their dogs' needs.
Nearly a third (30%) say they have used money originally set aside for something else to pay for their senior dog's care. More than one in five (21%) have adapted their home with ramps, orthopaedic beds or similar changes to keep their dog comfortable.
A further 18% have cancelled or postponed a holiday to be with their dog.
These changes demonstrate how the relationship between dogs and their owners can evolve as pets grow older, with families adapting their homes, routines and plans around changing needs.
A Bow Tie With a Message
The new bow tie and matching collar are intended to make some of those less visible needs easier for other people to understand.
Rather than suggesting that every senior dog needs special treatment, the accessory provides a clear visual signal that a particular dog may benefit from extra space, time and patience.
The campaign also aims to challenge perceptions of older dogs as ‘doddery’, instead presenting them as distinguished dogs who may simply need the world around them to slow down a little.
David hopes the simple message will encourage greater compassion wherever senior dogs are out and about.
“By having the bow ties out and about, I hope it will encourage people to be just as understanding of age-related health changes in dogs as they are with humans.”
The campaign has also received support from bus company Arriva, whose drivers have committed to supporting owners and their senior dogs on routes wherever they can.
Kerry Willecome, Head of Marketing at Petgevity, says the bow tie gives senior dogs a way to communicate their needs.
“We’re really pleased to have worked with David on this limited-edition bow tie and to raise awareness of senior dogs’ needs,” she says.
“They give so much to us, often subtly adapting amid age-related health challenges. This bow tie, with its distinct pattern, does the talking for them, earning the respect they deserve wherever they go.”
The limited-edition bow tie and matching collar, designed with David Gandy, are available free from Petgevity while stocks last in four sizes: XS, S, M and L.
For Dora and other senior dogs, the message is simple. They may be getting older, but they still want to walk, explore and experience life alongside the people they love. Sometimes, they just need a little more time and space to do it.
