It’s not too late!

Have you fallen out of love with your fur baby?

Has the journey of dog ownership not gone as planned and now your puppy is all grown up and you haven’t trained him like you would have wanted to?

Don’t worry – You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Its not too late to turn that wild thing in your backyard into the dream companion you had hoped for.

We know that you know that owning a pet is a privilege that comes with certain responsibilities. Having a dog that is car trained, can walk on a leash, does not jump up and follows basic commands is the very least you can do to ensure a happy life, with a happy pet.

We also know that life often gets in the way, and before long that bright eyed pup you got has turned into a fully grown dog and all your hopes of puppy school have flown out the window.

Dogs are eager learners, no matter their age!

The good news is that even a senior dog will still respond well to their owner and can easily master the basics of being a good dog, as long as you are committed to the task.

While a pup might pick up new tricks in a jiffy, an older dog will require consistent repetition for a while before the command sinks in. Dogs are by nature, curious and responsive to humans.

For some inspiration to get the most out of your dog, follow Will Atherton on YouTube.

Don’t give up on your dog

In some ways it might even be easier to train an older dog. Most dogs go through an adolescent stage from about 8 to 24 months and at this stage it can be extremely challenging to get them focussed on a training session.

An older dog, in contrast can usually focus for longer. This means that as long as there is a good bond between your dog and you, built on love and respect instead of fear, it can be easier to train an older dog.

Train by the carrot, not by the whip: six important steps to follow

1. Be prepared. Have a few small treats on hand to use as a reward.
2. Find a quiet spot without distractions to start your training
3. Stick to the basics at first and limit your sessions to 15 minutes max.
4. Be realistic about what you can achieve – speed runs around an agility course won’t be possible for a 5-year-old chubby bulldog…
5. Be patient. This is going to take time. So, relax and celebrate even the smallest victories.
6. Keep your cool – don’t ruin your relationship with your dog because you let your temper flare up. Rather give it a rest and try again tomorrow.

We hope you are inspired to take your old dog and make him your new best friend!