PUPP

The old idiom "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" doesn't always ring true. It may need added patience and a bit of a different approach, but in many ways it can actually be easier to teach tricks to an older dog than to a pup, or a puppy dog.

Older dogs are rather a lot calmer than puppies, which can very often make dog training methods simpler as they can be more easy to work with. They are less prone to distraction, becoming confused, or having a negative emotive reaction to your attempts. Older dogs are more patient.

You will of course, have to be patient also , as you work with your dog. Some older dogs, if they have never experienced dog training and do not very well understand the process of being taught a trick, may take more effort and time than others.

Be consistent in your approach to teaching your older dog, and in your replies to their successes and failures. It's important with all dog training that the dog be in a position to understand what you are doing and why, which is only learned thru past experience and repetition.

Reward good behavior with treats and praise, but don't punish your dog for making howlers. Stay firm and consistent, and let them earn their rewards, which should fill them with pride.

While your dog is physically able to do therefore he or she should be able to learn almost any trick. If the dog is very old, running and jumping may be quite a bit more complicated, but there are several tricks which are still very easy for an old-timer. Try training the dog to sit, talk, or heel, for instance.

You will have to keep your dog training sessions relatively brief, as older dogs will tire more quickly, but if you keep with it, stay patient and consistent, you can definitely teach him dog tricks.