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Can you teach an old dog new tricks (literally)?
Have you ever tried teaching your older dog ( 4-8 years old) new things? Do they still obey and respond to these lessons as well as when they were younger? Are they slower to learn? What is your experience?
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March 15, 2010 01:32 PM
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Older dogs can be easier to teach new tricks, actually, because they're calmer and have learned to understand human body language. They pick up quicker on what you want them to do. I have three dogs, one is fairly well-trained already although the beagle in her doesn't like to listen! I've been working with the two older ones ( 6 and 8 years old) and they are picking up their lessons rather quickly.
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March 15, 2010 11:27 PM
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My dog seemed somewhat receptive, since she knew me. She trusted that she was safe with me. Since she has a history of being abused, I don't think I could have tried training her right away. She really needed to bond with me first.
Since it is new to them, I think positive reinforcement is really important. Rather than punishing the behavior you don't like, you should reward the behavior you do like with treats and praise. Since you are the established leader of their pack, praise can go a long way.
Patience is required with training any dog, as dog's pick things up at their own pace. Lots of repetition and love can definitely work with an older dog.
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Since it is new to them, I think positive reinforcement is really important. Rather than punishing the behavior you don't like, you should reward the behavior you do like with treats and praise. Since you are the established leader of their pack, praise can go a long way.
Patience is required with training any dog, as dog's pick things up at their own pace. Lots of repetition and love can definitely work with an older dog.
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March 17, 2010 06:03 PM
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Our 6 year old Queensland Healer / German Shephard mix dog is so eager to please us that I bet he will be willing to learn new commands his whole life. My husband just taught him to jump over things yesterday. Some dogs just have an obedient spirit about them, they so enjoy making their owners happy. Our other dog though, he doesn't have this eagerness to please us. He is not a stupid dog, far from it. He figured out how to open the gate by himself. He is just more independent. He is very affectionate, though. Maybe if we withheld affection unless he obeyed, then he would learn new things. We don't have the heart to do that, though. He is definitely a pet and not a working dog. They both are.
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