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Training an old dog can be challenging — and rewarding
By Liz Palika
August 30, 2010
Last week I briefly mentioned Melissa and her older dog, Dinky. Dinky was learning a new training game that required her to use her nose, and she was doing great. It’s always fun to see any dog’s attitude change when they ‘get’ the training – when they understand. The eyes light up, the ears come forward, the tail (or stub of a tail) goes 90 miles an hour. It’s especially fun, though when older dogs get it.9-year-old Dinky is having a blast in training.
Dinky is young, though, compared to the dog Melissa just began training. She rescued a 14-year-old Rat Terrier, Goliath, and just began training him. Melissa says he has quite a few bad habits at home, but at the training yard he has discovered that training can be fun. It’s awesome to see an old dog, with a grey face and old dog lumps and bumps, prancing around the training yard like a youngster. I’m a sucker for old dogs anywa,y and this just makes my heart feel good.
Training older dogs can be challenging. After all, they have a lifetime of habits – some you can probably put up with and others you might want to change. But they are the dog’s habits. For example, if he has been jumping on the sofa all his life he’s not going to understand why you’re changing the rules now.
Keep the training as simple as possible. This makes it easier to understand and hence, easier for the dog to do. This is not to say that old dogs are dummies; no, I’m not saying that at all (although old dogs can suffer from dementia). Changing the rules in a simple manner that is easy for the dog to learn will speed understanding and make compliance easier.
Motivation is always important in dog training, and you might need to be somewhat inventive with an old dog. Some old dogs don’t have the appetite they used to have (or may have dental problems), so food may not be as big a deal. If a dog is losing his hearing the squeak of a squeaky toy may not be heard. Petting and your attention may work, but think outside the box and try some different things. For example, a short massage on some sore parts may be a great motivator and reward.
Keep the old dog’s physical limitations in mind. The old dog’s joints might ache or he might have some pain elsewhere. Exercise is usually a good idea to help keep the body moving, but if you have any doubts about what your dog can or should do, or if your dog is refusing to do something, get your dog into the veterinarian’s for an senior dog physical. Tell your vet what you’d like to do, and see if he agrees or finds a problem.
Have reasonable goals. Teaching better behavior in the home is reasonable as long as you’re patient as it takes time and consistency to change old habits. You can also teach social skills for out in public. Although some old dogs can still participate in agility, maybe trick training would be a better idea. Many older dogs are wonderful therapy dogs.
Treasure the old dog. When I look at Riker’s face now, at 11, I can still see the eager young dog he was. Sometimes it’s heart-breaking to think of the dog he was, but I adore the dog he has become, too. Last week at the training yard we were setting up for classes and Riker planted himself in front of the chairs where the students sit. He made it plain, “I AM going to demo for this class! I am!” So I let him stay and we did use him as a demo dog. Since he has been retired, he doesn’t demo much any more but apparently he needed to do it on that day so I encouraged him. Even old dogs need to feel useful.
Melissa thinks Goliath may yet have a few years to go even though he’s 14 now. He’s gray but he’s feisty, happy now, and he’s certainly eager to work for her. And if anyone can change his behaviors at home, it’s Melissa!
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Love it! My 14 yr old schnauzer insisted on jumping for a treat when the younger ones were practicing agility jumps. She got in line behind the others and waited her turn. I set it as low as possible (probably lower than the stairs she usually climbed). Even with dimmed eyesight, slight hip arthritis and some vestibular symptoms, she stepped over and was very pleased to receive a treat!
Comment by Nancy — August 30, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
“When I look at Riker’s face now, at 11, I can still see the eager young dog he was. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking to think of the dog he was, but I adore the dog he has become, too.” Love your comment Liz. Right now this is where I am with my 11 yr old, Snuggles, who hasn’t been feeling well since February. My heart is breaking as I look at him and feel the overwhelming sadness. His and mine.
Comment by VJ — August 30, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Senior dogs are my absolute favorite. I love this piece, Liz, and I adore Goliath’s sweet face!
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — August 30, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
There’s such a huge difference between teaching new things to an old educated dog and doing so with an old ignorant dog.
Just as with people, a lifetime of learning keeps the mind plastic and open. It is a fountain of youth.
Comment by H. Houlahan — August 30, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
True, Heather, although Goliath - above - had never been taught a thing. So Melissa is teaching him how to learn as well as some new household and social rules.
Comment by Liz Palika — August 30, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
Goliath, may have been gray at two. Rat and toy fox have premature graying factor and many will begin developing white hairs around the muzzle, eyes and ears before their first birthday.
Not of much consequence, except that it leads many that are found as strays being assumed to be seniors when they are only 3-4. And their often tarter prone teeth don’t help. My 3 year old male toy fox is often assumed to be a senior because his muzzle is fully grayed out and he has grey spectacles around his eyes.
So rat and toy fox are sometimes adopted at 4, presumed 8-10 then people are surprised to still have them 10 -12 years on.:)
They are very long lived in general. A friends ratty lived to be 19 plus. Hopefully Goliath follows the trend and is around for a good span longer.
Oh, and older dogs rock! I’ll take seniors over puppies any day.
Comment by JenniferJ — August 30, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
To watch Goliath come out of his shell was a joy. He blossomed into a very happy old man as each week went on. He has a bounce to his step and a little tail that just wiggles. Melissa has done an awesome job with both dog’s and shows all that old dogs can learn new tricks, and have fun doing it. Dinky is becoming more comfortable around all of our trainer dogs and happy about being part of the pack. JOB WELL DONE MELISSA.
Comment by Petra Burke — August 30, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
Great article. There is a definite misconception out there that older dogs are too staid in their ways to learn new things - and that’s a shame. Patience and love will always get you there and I couldn’t agree more that exercise (and the great outdoors) is a great way to keep your pup sharp and open to new experiences.
Comment by Brett — August 31, 2010 @ 5:07 am
“Treasure the old dog”.
Couldn’t be said any better. And I sure understand missing the dog Riker used to be but loving the dog he has become. I *miss* my agility partner, Sparky, so much. We still find ways to play and she struts after every “win” like she just clinched a gold medal, but it’s not quite the same. In her place, I’ve discovered my righteous old Sparky-dog who is helping to teach Jet about respect and teach me about the value of a being still.
Comment by Melinda — August 31, 2010 @ 8:37 am
JenniferJ: Goliath came to Melissa from a known home. He is fourteen.
Comment by Liz Palika — August 31, 2010 @ 11:34 am
I remember when Mel got stubborn ornery in her last year — never mean, just opinionated in ways she had never been. She was extremely strong, determined, and insensible to pain her whole life, and that did not change.
The vet and I were trying to do something with her and she was having none of it — when her former motto had been “Anything you want Mommy! Can I put a cherry on it for you?” Pip (motto: “Oh pulleeeze.”) was sitting in the exam room with us.
Vet and I came up for air after accomplishing whatever it was that had once been just a matter of asking, and looked at young Pip. I had a sudden flash of insight — “Doc, if Mel is like this now, what is that one going to be like when she gets this age?”
We both shuddered at the horror of it.
Guess who is ten years old now?
Fortunately she has things set up here pretty much the way she wants them.
Comment by H. Houlahan — August 31, 2010 @ 12:10 pm