I offered the name of a couple of trainers to an adult novice dog owner who recently took in a 6-year-old GSD. (From a cell-phone quality photo, looks like a GSD-mix? Anyway....)
Trainer didn't recommend obedience training due to the dog's age.
I was a little surprised. Not only since I would THINK that such training would increase the bond, but also keep the dog stimulated while the owner learns.
I'm not questioning the trainer's conclusion, especially since I wasn't there during the consult and even more because I've only heard about the dog, but I AM interested what others think about
"old dog, new tricks" from a global, generic view (i.e., not case-specific).
That is some of the most bizzare advice from a trainer that I've ever heard!
Yes, older dogs can absolutely be trained! My eight year old dog was not introduced to marker training until she was six and she LOVES it.
Get your friend the information on Marker Training - it is perfect for a novice trainer with a new, adult dog. After having worked with the "old" dog on obedience for a few months, have her take the dog back and show the trainer how far they've come.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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The only time I can ever say that maybe obedience training isn't a great idea is if the old dog has reached the point where dementia has set in. Pretty much anything before that I would imagine the dog is capable of learning basic and even advanced obedience.
An obedience trainer that doesnt recommend obedience training? I think maybe something got mixed up over the phone.
I believe the phone involved was only showing a photo of the dog to the OP, not how the consult was handled. Could be wrong, but that is what I took it to mean.
Mixed up over the phone as in trainer-to-owner or owner-to-me?
In regard to the trainer, it was a home consultation. In regard to what was translated to me, could've been misunderstood by owner. Good thought. I think that I may get a call from owner this week.
There's no shortages of approaches or opinions, though, nonetheless. I know a cookie-cutter trainer who suggested that I straddle a large, two-year-old, aggressive dog--adopted, new to my home. (Trainer didn't like to work with large dogs and didn't work with explosive aggression.)
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Old Dog, New Tricks?
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Could be wrong, but that is what I took it to mean.
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