Training Older Dogs
from Good Dog Training Books

Training Older Dogs Information

It is very important to understand that training older dogs does not mean that you are simply occupying their time until they leave.

This is something that you will need to pay close attention too, as these old dogs have seen it all and know when they are being fleeced.

This type of training will have to be a session that is designed specifically around their personality, and when you are ready for this you will be taking on a wonderful adventure.

This dog could give you trouble, or this dog could be as easy going as they come.

Whichever dog you receive, will all depend on how you are going to go about the training.

Start At The Beginning

Training older dogs usually entails the dog having to start back from scratch, and this dog will be doing this so they can build a level of trust. The dog is not familiar with the trainer, so they are going to need to build this trust level in order to get the dog to cooperate.

When the dog is starting to feel that the trainer is safe, then the dog will be more willing to open up and proceed. This is a not a new situation, as trainers all over can attest to the fact that this older dog training is a struggle some times. The trainer always enjoys the older dog to work with, just as much as the puppies. The difference between the two is that the pup has to start at the beginning while the older dog already knows its way around.

Stay Firm

When training older dogs, you need to remember that they are not always going to be easy to work with. They will be stubborn, and often they will simply refuse to budge. This is where you need to remain firm on your commands and the ways you do things. You cannot give in to the old dog, or this dog will then be the host of the show.

A dog that takes over the trainer will then become very disruptive and not let anything get done. You should always let this dog know where they stand before they start the class, as this will eliminate the possibility of them feeling like the alpha dog. A good trainer already knows all of this, and they will not let this situation come up.

Be Patient

If you are training older dogs, you will want to show some patience with them. This is because the older dog has most likely set their own ways in for quite some time, and it is very difficult to change your ways after so many years.

Take your time and understand this, as the dog will begin to feel that things are alright to change. A good trainer will understand this, as it is very much like an older human that has done things their way all their lives. Someone else coming in and telling them things are going to change is a hard pill to swallow.

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