Obedience training in older dogs

[Trish Whitney]

We got our first female pup at 6 weeks of age. By the time she was old enough to attend obedience training, I was pregnant and didn't want to risk the health of the baby as friends told me the classes have a physical aspect. My husband was working a lot of overtime at the time. Then came the baby and training just got pushed aside. We adopted a male 15 months after getting the female. He was malnourished and timid, but obedient. After spending time with Celena, he is now nearly as out of control as she is. They are both gentle, sweet animals, but jump up on us and are just misbehaved in a training sense; no problems with tolerance. Celena will be 3 in May and Bear will be 6 in March and I would like to gain some control if possible. It is embarrassing to take them out when they are just pulling me in different directions. Is it too late to correct our mistakes or would obedience training still be attainable? Also, my husband is obviously more respected by them, should he attend the training or can I? Thank you for any suggestions. I just found this forum last week and have learned so much from reading the posts.

Trish

[DNeff]

It's never too late to do obedience training with your dogs. Sounds like that would be an excellent way for you to work on establishing your self as alpha as well. I would recommend that you take them to class yourself. I would not recommend that you try to take both to one class. You are better off having your husband take one and you take the other or attend classes with one and then take the class again with the other dog. My personal opinion is that you take the dogs yourself to two sets of classes. If you and your husband do attend the same class make sure to distance yourself from each other. Don't allow the dog to look to your husband for direction, he needs to learn to look to you for that. Either way both of you should work with the dogs so they respect you equally.
Find a good training class that uses motivational methods and sit in on a few classes to see what you think of the methods they use. It is important that you are totally comfortable with the techniques they use since this is what you will be using to teach your dogs. A good training class is fun for you and your dogs! Good luck!
Dawn Neff
dawn.neff@jcnordt.com
http://members.aol.com/dplantier

[RSQRottweiler]

I agree with Dawn. My girl was abour two and a half years old when we rescued her, and had NO training. That was in April 2000, and now she's in Advanced classes and doing great. Our trainer said they recently had a 15 year old dog in Beginner's class and the dog does just fine. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Good luck!

Audrey

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"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
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