Training an older dog or a larger dog as an adult is doable. When you have a larger breed dog, though, training certain behaviors is easier done when that large hulk is a smaller sized dumpling.
Take the trick behavior many people like to train their dogs, roll over. It’s not an easy trick for many people to train, depending on their dogs. Larger dogs need lots of space and a limber trainer. Even small, stiff dogs, who are uncomfortable on their backs, can be a challenge. But if you want to do the training, with patience, the trick can be trained.
I have a large male Dobermann who is almost 5 years old. I trained him to roll over when he was still a puppy. Though I don’t practice the trick very often, he’s still got it in his repertoire. Like any behavior we exclude from practicing, in order for a dog to be good at it again, we may have to backtrack the steps in the training plan to get that trick up to par.
I didn’t have too much backtracking to do with my dog, but we did have to step back a little bit to get that dog rolling again.
Training tricks with your dog is a great way to bond. Remember, puppy and dog training is about the process not about pushing a dog too fast. We all learn at our own pace, and frankly, people must also learn the process of training in order to fairly train a dog to do a trick step by step. Enjoy the process!
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Helen Verte Schwarzmann
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Certified in Training and Counseling
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