Questions on training an older dog

[PugJackie]

One of my pugs is three years old, I inherited her from my family, who never really trained her that well. I'd like to fix this and make her more obedient, in hopes to maybe calm her down a bit. I will give her my full effort and giving her daily obedience training.

Can you guys please share any tips for obedience training and older dog that you might have? I would really love to get any help I can Should we go somewhere where my other dogs wont bother us? Should I use treats?

Thanks a million in advance!

[Bill]

There's not a lot of difference between training "old" dogs and puppies. Puppies have a shorter attention spands so in that way it makes them a little more difficult. Puppies are more interested in learning than older dogs. It's more difficult to "unteach" some bad habits in older dogs.

You want to use positive motivation to teach any dog. You want to motivate him to want to do what you wish. You may have to take a little time to teach an older dog how to learn. I prefer to take the attitude that you are teaching the dog, not training. Teaching is a whole different attitude and it shows in your dogs willingness to learn and in your relationship with him. You want to be the dogs leader, mentor, and guide through life. You want to show him how to live in a human world and how to understand instructions you are giving him.

Forget the old "alpha" concept. It's pretty meaningless and is the opposite of "teacher, mentor, and guide". Trying to be the "alpha" to your dog will work against you more than for you.

Here is a quote I really like and illustrates my phylosophy of being your dog's leader. It is from an article about Dr. Sophia Yin. "Sophia learned that every pet needs a human who can lead. Not like a boss, but like a partner in a dance—someone who gives clear signals, rewards desirable behavior as it occurs, removes rewards for inappropriate behavior immediately, and sticks to the plan consistently until the new, good behavior is a habit."

Yes, in the beginning you should isolate yourself and your dog from any distractions. It aids learning. Dogs can only concenterntrate on one thing at a time and will tend to concentrate on distractions in the beginning. As the dog gets proficient in a behavior, start introducing very small distractions and gradually increasing them until the dog will perform the behavior in a crowd of screaming children and barking dogs.

Yes, I love treats as teaching aids. I also insisted my clients wean dogs from treats as each behavior is learned in order that the treats don't become a necessary part of the dogs behaviors. Check into clicker training. I highly recommend that over all other types of training by far. It's faster, easier on the dog, and the learning is better ingrained into the dog's mind.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book.

[Stephanie]

All my dogs have been 3 years plus when I got them out of rescue and had very little if any training but that has never been a barrier to them learning anything. I prefer clicker training myself, it's much easier to mark/click the precise behaviour you want. Are there any classes round your way? They are the best place to start IMO. At classes they will give you certain behaviours to work on throughout the week and more importantly show you the best way [for your dog] of doing them. Ideally when teaching something new you start by limiting as many distractions as you can, once the dog can do what you want you start adding distractions in - classes do this backwards in a sense but I think the support you will get in a properly run class outweighs this factor.

Also Jackie you say you hope to calm her down - how much exericse does she currently get? what food are feeding her? These can have an impact on her behaviour too.

[PugJackie]

Thanks soo much Bill and Stephanie! Bill, wow that's a lot of great advice - interesting your comment on not trying to be the alpha dog, I had always thought that was the way to act... Great quote too.

Stephanie thanks for the clicker training tip, I've been looking into that as well. She get a good amount of exercise each day and I'm currently feeding Orijen (going to try raw feeding based on you and Bill's suggestion later this month). It's not a huge problem, its just that she always seems super jumpy and way more excited even after exercising the same amount as much as my other two pugs (one older, one younger), like she can't ever really relax and calm down.

Thanks you two!

[Bill]

The old alpha dog theory was based on the knowledge at one time that the alpha wolf in the wolf pack was the biggest strongest SOB in the pack and he ruled with an iron hand. However later research has proven that the alpha male and alpha female are the dad and mom wolves and the rest of the pack is their offspring of varying ages. Dad doesn't have to be mean or forceful, he is naturally followed because he is the oldest, most experienced, most knowledgable wolf in the pack. All the other follow him in order to learn from him. This is the same way you want to be alpha.

When ever my dogs are in a situation in which they don't know what they should do, they always look to me for guidance and I give it to them, instructing them on how to act. It will be things like "come over here by me", or "its ok, go sniff that person if you wish", or "go play with those other dogs". Usually this is done with hand signals that isn't even noticed by others present.

[Orrymain]

Just train her with some quality one on one training time, like you would any dog. They can and do learn at any age.

[Justontime]

I don't claim to be an expert on dog training, but having always had rescue dogs I am used to working with older dogs with little training and (usually) behavioural problems. I think time is the key, work with the dog every day, give the dog praise and confidence in you and don't give up, it may take time but you will get there. My little dog Lucy has proved that rescue dogs are worth all the time and effort it takes to help them to adjust, she is very special to me.

[chris1203]

I loved reading your advice, Bill, and wish that I had known this stuff when our first pair of dogs were older. I always hear how you should be the "alpha" in your dog family. This is the first I've heard that you should not try to be the alpha but be a mentor. Great advice!

[Bill]

Chris, the old dominance theory and alpha was what was used 20 years ago because that is what was known. The mentor method makes for a much better more trusting relationship between you and your dog. It opens a whole new line of communication between you and the rest of the pack.

[Stephanie]

Copy of the post edited - Stephanie

Older dogs tend to be harder to train due to some bad habits that are already picked up. I think the best advice would be to be consistent in your training and try not to have any slip ups.

e.g. if your dog begs for food at the table, you need to let it know that it is NOT allowed. get your family to work together as well. If one of them give in to the cute face at the table and feeds it with scraps from the table, it could undermine what you are trying to acheive.