Choosing an adult dog can be a wonderful way to add a pet to your family. Though some are concerned that an adult dog might be difficult to train, or stuck in stubborn ways, that need not be the case. In this article we will discuss some effective methods for training an older dog.
Before you ever start your training regime, give your dog a little time to explore his new home. Let him off the leash and allow him to wander through the house but be sure to keep a close eye so that accidents or problems can be prevented. This will allow your dog to feel comfortable and give him time to adjust, leading to more effective training sessions.
Your next step should be to work on potty training. Leaving your pet unsupervised will be almost impossible until he is potty trained. Quick potty training also helps to prevent smells being left in the house, which can encourage your dog to return to the same spot to urinate. Immediately get your dog into a routine for going outside. Praise him when he urinates or defecates in the appropriate place. Be extremely cautious about scolding bad behavior or you could damage your relationship with your dog early on.
Another important step to effectively train your older pet is to take some time to develop your relationship. This is especially important with an older dog as he might have had negative experiences with humans in the past. Show your dog lots of love and let him know that he is an important member of the family. This will enhance your relationship, making him want to please you during training sessions.
When planning training sessions with an older dog, don’t forget that he needs to rest. An older dog does not have the same level of energy that a young puppy has. Because of this, he will likely respond better to shorter training sessions and frequent periods of rest. Since you want your dog to view training sessions in a positive light, never over work him and always allow for rest when necessary.
Our final recommendation for effectively training an older dog is to remain consistent. Your older dog might not catch on to everything as quickly as a puppy. This can sometimes lead to frustration on your part and a desire to change game plans. Resist the urge to do this, as it will only confuse your dog. Remaining consistent gives your dog the best opportunity to learn and remember commands. Though your dog might not be fully trained in a day, he will be a better trained dog in the long term.
Despite what you might have heard, no dog is too old to train. Effectively training your older dog will make him an important part of the family and a valued companion. In this article we have provided some basic, but valuable, tips that can help. Take some time to implement them into your training strategies. You will be enjoying your dog before you know it.
Thank you for the tips. We just got an older dog and I was worried about training him. Then I saw this post!