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Chances are, when you first got your dog, you spent many hours training new behaviors and your household rules. Now that your dog is a senior, training might be the furthest thing from your mind. After all, isn’t good behavior one of the benefits of an older dog? However, continuing or restarting a training program with your senior dog has many benefits, too.
Consider Your Dog’s Mental and Physical Health
According to trainer, breeder, and AKC GoodDog! Helpline program manager Penny Leigh, CPDT-KA, your dog will be healthier and happier if they stay physically and mentally active in their senior years. “Dogs that still feel useful and that they have a ‘job’ tend to keep a youthful outlook, much like humans who continue to stay engaged in activities after they retire.” Leigh also explains that maintaining a training program with your senior dog will help continue to strengthen the owner-dog bond.
Training is a chance for fun one-on-one time with your dog that provides them with the attention they crave. Particularly for dogs trained with positive methods, training sessions are enjoyable time spent with their beloved owner. There’s no reason to stop offering the stimulation and attention that training provides, just because your dog has gotten older and mastered the basics. Participating in a patient and consistent training program can help keep your dog’s mind stimulated and keeps them more engaged with you and your family.
Plus, there are always new things for your older dog to learn. “It is definitely not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” Leigh says. Before starting any new training program, it’s wise to have your vet give your dog the all clear. For some senior dogs, the physical demands of dog sports like agility or Flyball might be too much. But other canine athletes compete as seniors, although the jumps may be set lower than for younger competitors. According to Leigh, AKC Trick Dog and AKC Rally are both great choices for older dogs. She also suggests AKC Scent Work. “The sport puts their noses to work, but it does not require long hikes or physically strenuous work — and you can even practice in your living room,” she says.
Finding a Routine That Works for Your Dog
You might need to make some adjustments to your training program once your dog enters their golden years. Senior dogs may show cognitive changes, such as sleeping more than they used to or having accidents in the house. Leigh mentions they might also respond more slowly to your training cues and interact less with their human family members.
There may be additional physical changes that affect what they can handle or how they respond. For example, they might move a little slower. They may also take more time to lie down and stand up because of stiff joints. “Older dogs, just like older humans, may not see or hear as well as they did in their younger years,” Leigh adds.
If that is the case, you may need to adjust how you communicate with your dog. If you find the subtle hand signals you were using to cue them aren’t as effective anymore, it could be because they can’t see them as well. Switch to a verbal cue or make your hand signals more obvious. Similarly, if your dog’s hearing is compromised, you might find that they ignore your verbal requests. Speak up or add in hand signals to help them understand what you’re saying.
Be sure to take your dog’s physical and mental abilities into consideration when choosing what to train. If they’re suffering from arthritis, for example, teaching them to beg or jump the high bar may not be the best choice. Be realistic about what their mind and body can handle. Leigh suggests keeping your training sessions short and positive. “Teach everything in very short steps and work up to the ‘finished product.’ If you see any signs of your dog getting physically or mentally tired, stop for the day or a few hours until he has rested,” she says.
Find What Motivates Your Dog
Leigh also encourages owners to discover what really motivates their senior dog. Use whatever that is as a reward when training a new skill. “If your dog is food-motivated, make sure you use a very enticing special treat.” When choosing treats, consider nutritious items with age-related benefits, such as treats with antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids. Take the same consideration with your senior dog’s food, and choose one appropriate for their stage of life.
Leigh encourages dog owners never to think of their senior dogs as retired. It’s best to keep working with them as they age because there are so many advantages. Training older dogs will help “keep them in good physical shape and at a good healthy weight, and will also keep them mentally and socially engaged through training and outings.” And don’t forget, a positive training program is enriching and fun. Best of all, says Leigh, “Your dog will thank you!”
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.