Is there hope for my 5 year old dog?

Question

Okay, you know the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" well, my Patterdale terrier is nearly 5, and we got him from his previous owners when he was 3. They weren't abusive or anything, but they never bothered to socialize him or train him really well, all he knows is "sit" and "stay", and he finds them REALLY hard to obey lol:) But that's not the main problem. The main problem is this:

He thinks he OWNS the world. On our walks, he pulls us and barks at everything that moves practically. E.g. birds, people, etc...He gets scared of cars too, coming from behind, and EVERY time he sees one, he spins and barks. It's AWFUL! It's all we can do to stop him from running out at them and getting hit. My dad tries to help him when on walks with treats every time he doesn't do it, but the dog NEVER changes.

And his WORST thing: OTHER dogs. If he weren't on a lead, he'd probably pick fights with them and try to kill him, despite his puny size. (He'd fight a dog 3 times bigger than him if he could). He once got bitten on the nose by a dog and he STILL does it, hasn't learned anything. He's bitten a guy, and luckily the guy didn't press charges. He's bitten ME before.

He's just SO temperamental, high strung, and thinks he OWNS our street! He barks out the window at passerby, and just CAN'T tolerate other dogs. And CARS!!! Oh, a nightmare.

My parents don't want to pay for a trainer, because it's like 100£ per Saturday session. I try to tell them it's TOTALLY worth it, but they don't think so.

I blame Scrappy's older owners. They NEVER socialised him. Is he too old now? Is it too late for him? I mean, he's almost 5. He jumps up at visitors and barks like mad, trying to run out the door after them, etc...What are we going to do with him? Is he too old to learn anything and keep it in his brain? I've heard you need to train and socialise a puppy from the MINUTE you get him. And since my parents don't want a trainer, what do we do to get him as social and trained as possible, without thinking the whole world's out to get him??? HELP!!!

Answer 1

try going to the local libary and get a book called traing dogs for dummies and on animal planet they have a show called the dog whispere tryt watching that it will help

Answer 2

it is a little harder to train an older dog but it is possible. whenever he does something good be sure to give him lots of praise or give him a treat. when u r on walks and he tries to run from u pull him back to your side and say heel (that way he will associate being in that spot with the word). when visitors come hold him or put him behind a gate so that he wont jump at them. if he barks at them while he is in another don't look at him if he barks while you r holding him squeeze his snout shut. also if he is barking while a car goes by and you are in your house try banging a metal spoon to a pot or pan then when he looks at you be sure not to look at him or he will know that it is you making the noise. by doing this it will tell him that when he barks an annoying sound will happen. he wont want to hear this sound and it will hopefully teach him to not bark. hope this helps!

Answer 3

No, it is not too late to train your dog. You will have some additional challenges, but no use complaining or blaming others. It is what it is and you need to meet the issues the this point in time. A "reactive dog" class would be an excellent option.

There is also a book called "Control Unleashed", by Leslie McDevitt which does deal with some dog aggressive issues and has lots of exercises you can do on your own at home.

She also has a Yahoo group you can join and ask your questions.

Also, search Yahoo groups for reactive dog discussions. They may be helpful for you to get some guidance. Best of luck.  

Answer 4

Hi!  I wish i could talk to you in person.  But I will start off by saying no matter the dogs age, you can train them.  You just need to give lots of praise whenever he does what you tell him to do.  Ignore him when he does not do as told.  He will get the point.  My dogs are well trained and i did it myself.  Look at all the dog training websites and learn the tricks.  You can do it!  You don't need a trainer ( or shouldn't if you stay consistent)  Ok thanks.

Answer 5

an older dog can learn.  you just have to retrain that he is not boss.

get a gentle leader to help with the walking problem.  start in a controlled space and practice walking by your side.  give treat for walking beside you and a treat for stopping and sitting.  if he pays attention to something other than you.  stop and change direction.  walk and stop.  teach him to sit when you stop.  this will take a lot of practice.  when he is paying more attention to you than others.  take outside.  now do all you did in the enclosed space.

when you take him out if he trys to pick fights, i think you would have to keep a muzzle on him until you have better control of him.  also shorten the leash to where he can't reach anyone.  train him to sit at your side.

mainly practice every day.

good luck.

Answer 6

I agree walk in a less crowded area. Hold the leash firmly so the dog is at your side not ahead of you. if he starts to take off after anything or tries to stop to bark at cars or other animals keep walking do not let him leave your side. He will learn he is walking with you. But if he feels a vehicle or other animal is a threat to you remember he is trying to do his doggy duty and protect you. If he sees you are in control and the animal or vehicle is not bothering you he will be more confident.

Answer 7

To h**l with what your parents WANT, that dog NEEDS a professional touch or your dog is going to get you sued. Call around, the place I took my dog to gives the first session  free. Think of this: if the expense of a trainer is what's unnatractive, how much fun will you have paying thousands of dollars to the next person he bites?  Or having to kill your dog and knowing that a few simple training tools could have prevented it?

I'll give some pointers. Your new mantra: If it's his idea, it's a bad idea. He doesn't get on the couch unless YOU told him to. If he gets up there, even if you don't mind, make him get down. He is not allowed to make any decisions at all without your OK. He's not even allowed to come up seeking affection. I know, it feels mean to push your dog away when all he wants are some kisses, but trust me on this. And do "puppy push ups". Thats "sit, good boy. Lay down, good boy. Sit, good boy. Lay down, good boy." Over and over. Do it just to make him do it, seriously. If he does NOT sit when you give the command, count til 5 (to see if he figures it out) and if he still doesn't then "No!" and give the command again. Dog training is really people training, because you are the one who has to be patient and consistent.

A chain choke is invaluable. My dog respnds to it instantly. Use it iwth the "No!" correction command. Just one sharp tug - to the side, not up! You not trying to actually choke him just get his attention. It doesn't hurt, but it is unpleasant, and they catch on amazingly fast. Use it while walking the dog as well. Keep him at your side, this is where you work in the "Heel" command. If he starts to go to another dog, a jerk to the side and "No!" and then abruptly turn and walk in the exact opposite direction. He'll quickly catch on that when he displeases you, he doesn't get to go where he wants to go.

And he is NOT allowed to greet other dogs, ever. When you can get him to the point where he can walk past another dog and show no interest whatsoever, then you know you've been successful. Only when you get to that point can you introduce him to dogs, and only if it's YOUR idea, remember, he has no decisions, ever.

You'll really be pleasantly surprised at how quickly he catches on. He lives to please you. His world makes the most sense when he knows his place.

Remember, if it's his idea, it's a bad idea. You need to establish yourself as alpha, because he's allowed to do whatever the heck he wants right now. I'll add more tips if I think of any. Good luck. CALL A TRAINER.

Answer 8

You could try. Walk him somewhere less crowded. Ask one of your friends to stand somewhere and then stand like 3 feet away from them. Have them hold a treat in the palm of their hand. Then have him on a short leash and keep him at your side the whole time! If he lunges or barks say no and turn around. Keep doing that. If  he cooperates, and walks calmly over to them, they can have him take the treat out of their hand. Then bring him back 3 feet away and have them come over and let him smell them. Then they can pet him. Don't walk near busy roads or he will be barking ALL the time! Now of course you can't give a stranger a treat and say go do this. But if your walking in the park and he tries to bark or lunge towards something, then turn around and walk away. (Don't forget to say NO!)

He could possibly end up listening and not biting or lunging towards  people.  

Answer 9

well, i know that various pet stores have training sessions. Some are like 2 month sessions for only $99. However, if that is not possible, I think you, just you, should give the dog 1-on-1 time and train him yourself. There's plenty of information about training dogs on your own. I was lucky to have my dog go to PetSmart for training. But anyway, the best thing to remember is consistency. You must be consistent when training your dog. Repetition is the only way they will know and learn what you teach them. When he does something good, reward him instantly. If he does something wrong, say No and give no reward. Also, take him out to parks where it's quiet and calm, simply just you and him and just relax...

Training dogs is not an easy task. It takes lots of patience but in the end, its all worth it.