Senior Dogs can be Trained

Are you considering adopting an older or rescued dog? Older dogs
are great family members and need homes. Depending on the breed,
senior dogs are often are more subdued than a puppy and
therefore easier on your home. But what about behaviors learned
or tolerated by a previous owner? Senior dogs can be still be
trained using a few tried and true ideas! Just as with puppies
it will take time and patience but the outcome is worth it. A
trained dog will be a happier dog because he will know what is
expected of him.

5 TIPS for Teaching NEW Tricks to Older Dogs

1. Use the proper tone when communicating with your dog:

High/Enthusiastic–Use for Praising (i.e. “Good Dog!”)

Demanding/Authoritative–Use for Commands (i.e. “Sit!”)

Growly/Low–Use for reprimanding (i.e. “Bad Dog!”)

2. Give a command only once. This teaches your dog to listen
the first time.

3. Hands Off when giving a command. Touching or petting
distracts from training.

4. Recall (or “Come”) is the most pleasant of all commands for
your dog. Never reprimand a dog that finally comes to you…even
if you had to chase him through the neighborhood before he
obeyed. He needs to know that you will lavish praise and pet him
when he comes to you!

5. Training not to jump up on people and furniture is best done
with a metal can or box with 10 pennies, stones or marbles taped
inside. For convenience, it is a good idea to have several cans
located in various areas throughout your home. Shake the can up
and down once or twice whenever your dog jumps up. Remember to
reprimand with the low tone at the same time. The noise will
startle the dog and eventually the behavior will stop.