There is a saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". For many people with an older dog that was never properly trained they probably think this is true. Just like people do, when dogs get older they get pretty set in their ways. Think old and stubborn. This of course is not entirely true; it is possible to train an older dog but it will take more time and patience.
The thing with older dogs is they have been behaving in a certain way their entire life and to them that is the way things are. They do not distinguish between right and wrong like people do. For a dog repetition is their primary way of learning and if all they've done is the wrong thing their whole life their behavior will reflect that.
One thing you can try with an older dog is to make the training you are doing seem like it is actually the dogs idea. If he thinks it's his idea he will more than likely keep doing it. He probably will resist your attempts to force him to do something like sit. But if he sits on his own give the command "sit" at the same time and reward or praise him. If you keep doing this, repetition, before long your old dog will be sitting when you tell him to. You can use this technique with a variety of commands such as come, heel, and stay.
It is certainly not true that all older dogs are more difficult to train but for the vast majority of dog owners this is the case. Dealing with the stubbornness of a dog set in their ways can be difficult and frustrating but if your dog is exhibiting bad habits and behavior it is important to break them of that. In the long run have a well trained and obedient dog will make both you and your dog much happier and will lead to a stronger bond.
If your old dog is being particularly stubborn and your not making any head way on your own then consider joining a dog training class or working with a professional dog trainer. This will give you the benefit of working with people who have experience with all sorts of dogs and their different behaviors. You might be amazed how quickly your dog responds to someone who knows how to deal with their behavior problems. These are also lessons you can take home and continue to use as you train your old dog to do new tricks.
Training An Older Dog
Training older dogs can sometimes be quite the challenge but it is not, by all means, impossible. You just have to do the right amount of research and take some extra time being patient with them and as well very consistent ofcourse. Without those attributes, you are just asking for one huge disappointment no doubt. It would be best to get yourself some books on dog training of older dogs and also try and take some time out to do a little bit more research on the internet, there you will definitely find all kinds of different information out about this type of thing and why it is so important to research it beforehand. Dog training comes in many different styles and techniques and some people would rather train their dogs themselves than to pay some professional who they do not even know to do it for them. While others would prefer to pay some professional to do it, either because they just do not have the time or they could not possibly have enough patience to do it themselves. As long as it does get done is what is the most important, not who does it or which techniques are used.
It is so very important to keep in mind that some older dogs might have a little more difficulty getting trained for many different reasons. Knowing what reasons they could be is also very important. Many older dogs tend to have more trouble hearing their owner, so listening is not always the easiest task for them. This is why it is so very important to educate yourself on this type of thing so that you do not lose your patience when attempting to train your older dog. You should also be informed that they will probably be a little bit more stubborn as well, which can also be truly frustrating for any owner. It would be best, when you are trying to use some dog training techniques on your older dog, that you try and do it in smaller periods, spacing out the time will prevent your dog from getting too exhausted. Keep in mind the entire time you are trying to train them that they are much older and much more likely to be a little slower at catching on to your commands, so patience is so very important and ofcourse a really big heart.
If you are wanting to potty train your older dog, remember that they will more than likely have some trouble along the way for different reasons, and one of those reasons in older dogs that potty training is so difficult is because sometimes older dogs tend to have bladder control issues. So, if you have been trying to potty train your older dog and have not yet been successful, this could be the issue that your dog is having. Nobody ever said dog training would be the easiest task. Be patient, loving and very understanding when you are dog training your older dog and it should work out pretty good.
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