Training Older Dogs
Dogs go on learning new things throughout their lives, just as us humans and many other animals do. Training older dogs needs a slightly different approach because another adage "old habits die hard" is definately true so any old habits your dog has been used to may have to be unlearned before you can train an old dog successfully. The physical limitations of an older dog should always be taken into account. The older dog may still want to do all those things he could when he was younger but tires more easily and loses interest more quickly . Training sessions should be shorter and expect to carry out many more repetitions. Obstacles should be lower and easier for the older dog to negotiate. Don't expect him to chase a ball as many times as he did when he was a pup because chances are he'll lose interest after three or four throws. Some dogs suffer from hearing loss which in itself makes training older dogs more difficult.
If you want to keep your dog's attention, allow him recovery periods between sessions and don't let him over stretch his tendons or injure himself through being over tired. Although treats as rewards are common place, when training older dogs be careful not to overdo it. Older dogs can soon put on extra weight and they will find it difficult to get rid of those extra pounds.
Consistency is the key. Try to make the training sessions at the same time each day. Similar areas for specific activities help provide a sense of familiarity as background for new lessons.
Try and focus on the dog's existing strengths, as older dogs take longer to change or learn completely different tasks. One dog may be quite good at retrieving and dropping a ball at your feet, while another will simply never grasp the idea. Instead of trying to change a dog's behavior it's better to work with and develop the things he can do well. With a little patience and understanding even training older dogs can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your dog.
|
