Stiffness after a rest is one of the first changes owners notice as a dog gets older. It usually looks like being slow to get up, hesitating at the car or the sofa, tiring earlier on walks, and being worse in cold, damp weather. The everyday things that make the most difference are keeping your dog lean, swapping one long walk for two or three shorter ones on softer ground, a thick supportive bed away from draughts, non-slip mats on hard floors, and a gentle warm-up before running or ball games. See a vet if lameness is sudden, lasts more than a couple of days, or comes with swelling or yelping.