Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

There's an old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Although it may be a popular saying, it really is not true at all. As a matter of fact, it's not only possible for you to teach an old dog new tricks, if you know how to train them properly, you can teach them some old tricks as well. Of course, each dog is going to have its own specific needs and these should be considered when you are thinking about the type of dog training that is going to be necessary. Here are some things to consider when your older dog is about to enter into the training arena.

Just like humans, dogs can become set in their ways as they get older. This can either work to your benefit or it can be rather disastrous, depending upon the ways that were established when they were younger. Although it certainly would be a good idea for you to do some type of regular dog training when they are a puppy, if they have gotten older and are starting to display some traits that are not welcome in your household, it's time for you to consider training them at this point. What are some important things to remember when doing so?

First of all, it is important for you to understand the specific needs of your dog and there are certainly going to be considerations for an older dog that you will need to keep in mind. For example, your older dog may get a little bit tired during the training process when the younger dog would be ready to go for a longer amount of time. This is something that will usually be brought out repeatedly by the trainer that is taking care of you and the animal.

You also need to consider the possibility of the exact type of dog training that is going to be necessary. If you live in the Oakland or Berkeley area, dog training is going to be available from a number of different sources but some of those are going to be better suited for your animal. One of the things that you can look for is to have somebody that is going to take care of you on a one-to-one basis. Many older dogs tend to respond better to that personal care, particularly when the training is done in their own household.

Of course, you will also need to think about the specific needs of the animal and whatever problems they may be experiencing. For example, if you have a dog that suddenly begins to bite, that doesn't necessarily mean that they need dog training. In fact, it could be a problem that is as simple as an infected tooth or perhaps an illness that is causing the dog to behave in this way. A dog trainer will help you to see what is necessary and then you can move forward with the training that will keep both you and the animal happy.