Is it hard to train a dog thats older: ?

Question

i found a stray dog about 2 yrs ago.....

and his a bit wild....like mad ha ha!!! and hyper anyway i was wondering is it hard to train a older dog his about 4 maybe 5

i have trained him to sit down....and not to take his treat till i say....but i want to train him to roll over? any ideas??

Answer 1

I personally don't think it is, unless you're trying to stop a habit, then it would be harder. But with younger dogs, it would be harder to stop a habit too.

First you need to train him to lie down, try using a leash. Say 'lie down' then put your foot on the leash and onto the ground, pull the leash up. Because your foot is holding the leash down and you're pulling the leash up, the dog is forced to lie down (not abusive, as long as you do it gently). When he does this, praise him. As you go on, use the leash as a last resort, try to have the dog do it himself.

Then for rolling over, when you've got the lie down done, push him on his side and roll him over (gently) while saying "roll over", praise him when he does it, gradually stop pushing him as he learns what it means.

If you act angry while doing this, he will never understand, so make it fun! Good luck!

Answer 2

Only slightly harder but definitely still trainable.

Firstly, train your dog to lie down. Put a treat on the floor (either under your foot or under your hand). Your dog will lower his head to try and get it. Push his but down onto the ground. Don't give him the treat until his but is on the ground.

Repeat until he gets the idea.

Roll over: Put him in the down position. Hold a treat right in front of his snout. Move the treat around the side of his head so that he has to turn his head and roll over if he wants to eat the treat. If he wants to get up, put your hand on his chest. You can also give him a wee push in the right direction. Give him the treat once he rolls over.

Repeat until he gets the idea.

My dog knows hand gestures better than the actual commands. For the roll over command, it might be easier to use a hand gesture. Hold the treat further and further away every time you do the exercise. Eventually, you'll just be moving your hand in a circle in the air and your dog will just associate that with the command to roll over. However, it is possible to just teach the command. It takes longer and more effort though.

Answer 3

no it is not hard, just need a LOT  of time and patience and repetition but you can do it.  Good luck search dog training for older dogs on line

Answer 4

I have always adopted older dogs and I find them no more difficult to train then puppies.  You may want to try calling your local shelter or police station to see if anyone has reported him missing.  He may have a  family who misses him.  I would take him to classes though, petsmart offers some that are pretty cheap and help socialize.  Also, do not teach him to rollover, my rescued rottweilers trainer told me that this can twist the intestines and cause bloat.

Answer 5

you can train them, but its harder and it takes a lot longer, you must of heard the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"

which is not far from the truth.

Answer 6

it is harder but its deffinately possible just work at it and in time he will be able to do anything you want haha =]

Answer 7

Diddy dum hit it training them to NOT do something they always did is gonna be HARD (hence the can't teach an old dog... saying) THere was invented a keyboard that had keys in a different order and was faster than the conventional - they couldn't sell it cause it was too hard to learn to use after learning the old way......

Something totally new such as roll over might just be easier with an old dog that has an attention span longer than a grasshopper (common in pup)......

Answer 8

Its just going to take a little more time and persistence.  Stick to it, use positive reinforcement and he'll get it, once he gets it, stick to it so he doesnt forget the trick.  I have a rottie that I adopted from the pound, he too is hyper, but Ive trained him to sit, stay, down, fetch and not to take his food til I say its ok...

Good Luck!!!!

Answer 9

no  

Answer 10

No, but k9 is

Answer 11

you can't teach an old dog new tricks!