Older dogs CAN be trained

A lot of people believe that the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” must be true, otherwise, why would people say it? This saying often relates more to people, and it should because it’s simply not true for dogs. BMore Dog Training is here to help show you that any dog, regardless of age, can learn new behaviors and change for the better.

It’s always ideal to begin training as soon as possible, but not starting early isn’t that large of a barrier. We help older dogs recover from behavioral issues like anxiety, hyperactivity and aggression with in-home training that is custom-fit to their situation. We learn about the home environment that the dog is in and we also have them checked by a veterinarian because some behavioral issues in older dogs are health-related. For example, if a dog is suddenly going to the bathroom in the house it could be due to a urinary tract infection, a weakened bladder, or digestive problems. Another example would be a dog that gets aggressive when touched, but only because they’re being touched in an area where there’s chronic pain. Our customized training plan is developed by working closely with veterinarians to get a full picture of your dog, and is coupled with an in-home assessment. You can’t create lasting change for a dog unless you understand their situation first.

Most of the time, a dog’s behavioral issues aren’t health related and are due to changes in their environment or simply bad habits. Dogs are lot like people in that they can get stubborn and set in their ways. Owners sometimes are more lenient with older dogs and unintentionally reinforce bad behavior by not addressing it correctly. Dogs of any age need consistent communication and a clear understanding of boundaries; sometimes these things are lost over time or are never practiced and set in place.

The great thing about our in-home training in Baltimore is that it allows one-on-one attention in the dog’s natural environment. We identify and address specific things in their real-life contexts (e.g. in the specific problem locations in your home). If you have an older dog that is in need of training don’t let anyone tell you that it’s too late. Give us a call and tell us your story, 410.844.6611, or write us using our contact form.