Many people assume that you cannot train older dogs. However, dogs of every age can benefit from training! Does your newly adopted dog need obedience training? Or perhaps your dog’s behavioral issues are getting worse?
Separation anxiety behaviors, for instance, often emerge between 3 and 5 years of age, and aggressive behaviors tend to worsen if not addressed early in their lives. Some dogs may not have learned obedience commands when they were younger, and you might find that your newly adopted dog enjoys counter-surfing for food or pulls on the leash during walks.
Training an older dog is not just an effective way to correct their problem behaviors, but it is also an enjoyable way for older dogs to stay mentally and physically stimulated; they thrive on learning just like any other dog. This guide offers effective tips for training older dogs.
What is an “old dog”?
There is a common misconception that dogs age at a rate of 7 years for every human year. A 2020 study published in Cell Systems found that dogs age logarithmically; puppies age faster than older dogs. The generally accepted guideline is that a dog’s first year equals 15 human years, the second year is approximately nine human years, and each subsequent year is around five human years. Based on this guideline, most dogs are considered “old” by around 8 years of age, with giant breeds like St Bernards and Great Danes reaching “old age” by 6 to 7 years.
Training Tips:
Patience is key
We should always be aware that older dogs can have health issues that limit how they can be trained. We train our puppies using quick repetitions, which promotes quick learning. But older dogs may not be able to learn the same way; they may be sore or tired and won’t be willing to jump around as much. To help them get the most out of training, we should slow down the training and use duration-paced behaviors with slower repetitions. Commands that emphasize longer durations include “place,” “down stay,” and “wait.”
Mind that Texas Heat:
Older dogs are more sensitive to the Texas heat than younger dogs. When exploring Dallas and Fort Worth, you should visit White Rock Lake Dog Park, which has a drinking fountain, shaded areas, and water access, perfect for older dogs. Always \ring a collapsible bowl when outside,and train inside whenever possible, especially during July and August, when daytime temperatures average 96 degrees F.
Old dogs may need different training techniques:
Older dogs may not hear as well as they used to, and some breeds, including Dalmatians, Cocker Spaniels, and Australian Cattle Dogs, are prone to hearing loss. When teaching dogs that are hard of hearing, you should use more hand gestures than verbal cues. Conversely, if your dog is vision impaired, you should use more verbal cues than hand gestures. Training should be a fun and rewarding experience, and we want them to be as comfortable as possible.
Older dogs need healthier treats:
Older dogs have different dietary requirements than puppies. Puppies need a diet that’s high in protein, fat and calories to support their growth. Older dogs should have treats that are lower in calories and higher in fiber to help with digestion and weight management. We recommend that your older dog have low-calorie treats and dog-safe fruit and vegetable treats.
Have a training routine:
Older dogs love a routine as much as puppies do, but they may not have as much energy as they used to. We recommend you break training into short sessions, such as after a walk or a potty break. You’ll notice that your dog will enjoy the consistency, and even a few minutes of training a day can significantly improve their obedience and manners. Remember that training should always be fun. Give your dog plenty of praise and treats, and they’ll love the positive reinforcement.
Do you need help training your dog?
Does your older dog have any obedience or behavioral issues that need addressing? Perhaps your older adopted dog pulls on the leash during your walks, or is reactive towards other dogs at the park? We would love to help! You can schedule a free phone consultation with our Pet Behavior Experts. All of our training programs are personalized to meet your training goals and we provide private training at your home and in your local Dallas neighborhood.
If you live outside our service areas or prefer to meet virtually, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, provides virtual consultations to discuss your training goals and develop a training program to achieve them.
