Some pet owners assume you can only train a puppy. These folks think that if you wait too long of a time, a dog will just never ever learn a single thing you try to show them, including how to break bad habits.
This is a major concern considering the rising popularity of adopting as opposed to buying puppies today. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the adoption movement. I am a very big supporter of it. And I feel that adopters must know there are a couple tricks they can teach a dog at any age. Such as these:
To stop the crying
When dealing with babies, we are advised not to go to them when they are crying. No matter how loud and how long they cry, we are to resist the temptation to go and cuddle them. That’s right, we have to endure their piercing cries. But why? To quite possibly set it up so that one day, there will just be no cries. You put up with a little now, so that you don’t have to put with it forever! This concept goes for dogs. If you don’t react to their cry, they get it in their heads that crying doesn’t achieve anything. But if you respond to} them, pet them, or even so much as make eye contact with them once they are crying, this states to them, “This works. I carry on this tactic.” Give the dog a couple stern no’s once he cries, and afterwards totally ignore him. It may take weeks or even months, but so long as you are consistent with this approach, in most instances the dog should start whining drastically less.
To stay away from specific areasrooms
Each house is unique and so are the rules in it. If you adopt a dog, he may have been allowed to roam throughout his previous house and may not realize it’s not alright to do that in your house. Whenever your dog goes into an area he is not allowed in, say “No!” and usher him out. This can mean leading him out by the collar, or just walking behind him so he has no choice but to leave. Additionally, any time you find him approaching the area, yell, “No!” You need to do this every single time though, because every single time they are allowed in there with no repercussions, they are back at square one and all negative associations with entering that area vanish for them. My good friend who is a voice coach teaches singing lessons in LA to small kids has a Great Dane. The dog is so gentle but, its large stature frightens kids and it could even unintentionally injure one by leaping on them. So, whether or not there are students in her singing room learning how to sing better, my friend keeps the dog from there at all times. She doesn’t want to confuse the dog by allowing her in there when no kids are there, and all of a sudden kicking her out once children are there.
