| Training older dog issues require some adaptability. | | | | the floor when you want the dog to sit. Make a |
| When you're considering training older dog | | | | motion with your hands like an umpire calling a |
| techniques, you have to keep in mind what senior | | | | batter safe when you're telling your dog, no. |
| dog problems your older dog has. | | | | You may need to use your hands to give praise |
| Here are some of the training older dog | | | | too. Most training uses treats AND verbal praise |
| considerations you need to think about: | | | | for the best effect. If your dog can't hear the |
| 1. Older dogs may have joint problems. There are | | | | praise you give, it could slow down your training |
| some things your older dog isn't going to be able | | | | older dog efforts. Choose a hand or body |
| to do. If, for example, you are trying to teach | | | | movement that tells your dog you're happy with |
| your senior dog to jump up, if your dog isn't doing | | | | him. |
| what you want, it may be because the jump is | | | | 3. Senior dogs can have bladder control issues. |
| physically difficult for him because he has older | | | | When you're considering potty training older dog |
| dog joint problems. Even simple tasks like sitting | | | | techniques, keep in mind that your older dog may |
| and lying down can be hard for dogs. | | | | have problems with his bladder. The potty training |
| Be aware that your older dog might not be | | | | efforts will go more smoothly if you take your |
| responding because of pain or stiffness. Don't get | | | | dog outside frequently. The fewer accidents you |
| impatient with a slow-to-respond older dog who | | | | allow, the easier it will be to potty train your older |
| could have joint problems. | | | | dog. |
| 2. Many senior dogs have trouble hearing. Training | | | | 4. Older dogs can have attention-span issues. You |
| older dog techniques must take into account the | | | | know how people tend to get more child-like |
| possibility that the dog may have dog hearing loss | | | | when they get older? Dogs do too. They can |
| and not be able to hear commands. | | | | revert back to some puppy-like qualities. One of |
| If you're not sure if your older dog has dog | | | | those qualities can be a shortened attention span. |
| hearing loss, do a little experiment. Wait until your | | | | Good training older dog efforts take this into |
| senior dog has his or her back to you and then | | | | account. |
| say the dog's name. If your dog doesn't respond, | | | | Teach your senior dog in small chunks of time. A |
| he likely can't hear you. | | | | few minutes several times a day is better than |
| To compensate for the dog hearing loss, | | | | one longer block of time. |
| incorporate hand signals into your training. For | | | | When you keep these special senior dog |
| example, use a come here motion when teaching | | | | considerations in mind, you'll have far better |
| the dog to come. Use a flat hand, palm facing | | | | results when you set out to succeed at training |
| away from you to teach a dog to stay. Point to | | | | older dog. |