People say that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Hopefully we can help you prove them otherwise with the tips and tricks in this article. All of the methods have been hand picked for your older dog that you either have never trained, never trained well, or obtained from someone else.
Stay consistent when it comes to feeding your dog. If your dog has a schedule for his feeding, he will learn when to expect his meals. Before long, your dog will complete its meal before the time comes for you to take the dish away.
When feeding your dog, always expect the dog to be in a calm state and ready to eat. Hyper activity at feeding time will not allow the pet to properly address feeding rituals. Establish a ritual of a calm animal who sits and waits patiently for you to give food. After this behavior is taught, your dog will probably begin sitting patiently as you prepare their food.
Most dogs respond better to positive reinforcement rather than negative punishment. If you’re trying to train your dog, reward him for good behavior and only scold him if absolutely necessary. Your dog will remember the reward for good behavior more distinctly than the punishment for bad behavior, making rewarding more effective.
If you are trying to train a teething puppy not to chew on your clothing or belongings, give it an appropriate item on which to chew. Teething puppies have an instinctive need to chew, in order to relieve the pain. However, don’t give your puppy old shoes or clothing, as they will learn that those items are okay to chew on.
In conclusion, training an older dog can prove to be extremely difficult but not impossible. Depending on how the dog has been raised, your challenge may vary greatly. As long as you follow the specialized tips provided in this article, you are set up for success in training your older dog.