how can i train an old dog?

Answers:
Training Obidience -
Depending on just how old the dog is, and how long you've had him will determine how difficult it will be to train him/her. I would recomend using SMALL treat the size of your thumb nail. Ifyou want him to shake a paw- hold your hand just lower than his chest, and repeat the word shake (let him smell the treat once from your closed fist) he will most likely get excited, and aftr a while throw his paw into your hand. Praise him alot, and give him the treat. To train him to sit- grab the back of his collar (regular choke chain work best, not the ones with spike, they train a dog out of pain, as a regular choke trained them out of feel and sound, a regular choke doesnt hurt the dog, dogs have bones resembling ribs, but not as heavy duty and long in their necks) and pull back at the same time as you are pushing his rear end down. While doing this say sit repeatedly with about 5 second intervols. he should sit, as he has no where else to go. Many people think pushin just on his rear will make him sit- this is wrong, and will only frustrate the poor old fella. To train him to lay - get him to sit first, then hold a treat in you hand, let him smell it, and slowly lower it to the grond infront of him, remember to put one hand on his rear, to stop him from standing. he will eventually give in to the fact that the treat is on the ground. Remember to keep telling him your command as you are doing any of this, and as soon as he does what you want, even if it is sloppy, give him the treat and praise him with "Ohh what a good boy/girl you are!" if you have any more questions, email me at sweet_angel_chicka@hotmail.com

---

Lots of yummy treats. It works for men too.

---

a man or a real dog??

---

When you bond with a dog, they want to please you and will try about anything they are physically able

---

The same way you would train a puppy with love and patience and repetition, repetition, repetition

---

I recently began using clicker training with our 5 month old Border Collie and the results are incredible. I decided to have a go at trying it for my 12 yr old American Eskimo and have had great results there too.

There are some great books available on clicker training and I think it's an excellent method to try.

---

Haven't you heard that "you can't teach an old dog, new tricks"? This is true! An old dog is so set in their head.. as to what the norm is. They are too stubborn or they just don't care. I've tried treat, praise etc. No interest! Just this "you're boring me kid" look.

---

The same way you train a young one.

I've taught 9 year olds dogs to do new and demanding jobs- let alone the basics.

And don't do the current fad of ktitchy kitchy coo - have a cookie if you sit.

(1) You don't want to have to carry treats for the rest of the dog's life

(2) You have to use positive and negative. Positive = praise which is pets, hugs, tummy rubs, rolling about playing with them and your voice Negative = making them do it and showing disapproval with your voice and body language.

If you don't use the disapproal or MAKE the dog do it, then what do you do the day he decides that he would rather chase the rabbt than "come" and get the treat, eh?

---

repitition, treats and lots of patience.