Read Tug-e-Nuff’s Training Tips For Older Pups and Find Out ~ by Danny Rouse
We’ve all heard the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, but here at Tug-E-Nuff we’re experts in dog training and we’re here to tell you that it’s simply not true. Older dogs CAN be trained. Not only that but they often enjoy training and can be easier to train than a brand new and very excitable puppy.
Many of our customers have adopted an older dog and seen them make remarkable progress once they are given the chance to learn and develop. However, it’s fair to say that you might need to take a slightly different approach if you’re training an older dog. So here are our top training tips for helping older dogs reach their training potential…
1. Manage your expectations
Don’t expect an elderly dog to be able to leap and run around in the same way a six-month-old puppy would. It’s important to assess your dog’s physical ability and design training sessions to fit in with this.
2. Establish a trusting relationship
Older dogs respond much better to training if they already have a trusting, established relationship with their trainer. So if you’ve just adopted one, it’s a good idea to work on building a bond before expecting to be able to train them or teach commands.
3. Have clear goals
This is an important tip to bear in mind whether you’re teaching an old dog or a new puppy, but older dogs can respond particularly well to structure and by having clear goals in mind it can help you both to focus.
4. Be patient
It can take time to iron out bad habits your older dog might have picked up over the years so it’s important to be realistic in terms of time scales and to have plenty of patience. Expecting too much, too soon, will only result in both you and your dog becoming frustrated.
5. Use a favourite toy
Tug-E-Nuff knows how much difference the right toys can make to your dog’s training. If you’ve never used a training toy before, we highly recommend the sheepskin dog toys. Cleverly designed and handmade using real sheepskin, they can excite your older dog and tap into their instinctive urge to play. And as we all know, the most effective way to learn is through play. Whether it’s our Sheepskin Bungee Chaser with Tennis Ball or our Sheepskin Bungee Ring, we’re sure one of our sheepskin dog toys can be the perfect tool to help you teach your old dog new tricks.
Feel free to share your own tips
We’d love to hear from you! Write to us HERE! Check out more of our training Tips HERE and see our Training Events Schedule HERE.
Turn your struggle into strengths with a Stay & Train Holiday and make the most of our fantastic training facilities onsite? Come and stay with us in our cottage style apartments in beautiful Devon.
Photo courtesy of www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk