Older dog gets, harder it is to train?

Slyfuturedobydad · 04-07-2008, 06:44 PM

hey all,
well, is it true?, the older you're pup gets the harder it is to train,? even simple commands like sit?,
i attempted teaching my mom's dog jack, (hes lhasa apso), simple command as sit, (hes 1 year and 3months old), did every technique i was taught in former obedience classes with past dogs, and it was like going in one ear coming out the other...
my mom never even attempted to discpline this dog ever, he does what he wants, hes more like a little person then a dog, ..

does the fact that hes a small dog play any roll? thanks in advance

Murreydobe · 04-07-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slyfuturedobydad

hey all,
well, is it true?, the older you're pup gets the harder it is to train,? even simple commands like sit?,
i attempted teaching my mom's dog jack, (hes lhasa apso), simple command as sit, (hes 1 year and 3months old), did every technique i was taught in former obedience classes with past dogs, and it was like going in one ear coming out the other...
my mom never even attempted to discpline this dog ever, he does what he wants, hes more like a little person then a dog, ..

does the fact that hes a small dog play any roll? thanks in advance

I don't think it's any more difficult to teach an older dog to sit than any other dog.

As for your experience with a lhaso apso..that isn't a breed known for it's biddability. The nature of the breed itself probably is more of an issue than the age of the dog.

Slyfuturedobydad · 04-07-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

I don't think it's any more difficult to teach an older dog to sit than any other dog.

As for your experience with a lhaso apso..that isn't a breed known for it's biddability. The nature of the breed itself probably is more of an issue than the age of the dog.

agreed... my mom's lhasa's, (she has 2), act like little people more then dogs.., they are completely different then my old dog maggie, she was a golden retriever.., its like lhasas just dont care, they'l love you, but thats it, they dont have the "mans best freind" drive

., that is, my mom's dogs anyways.

**ReDobie4xtina2** · 04-07-2008, 07:49 PM

We've potty trained and taught basic obedience to our 15 year old Maltese X who used to be a backyard dog!

He is prefect with the "potty", "out", "sit", "come", and "nite nite" commands.. if anything he was easier to work with than Lukas as a puppy.. lol

Slyfuturedobydad · 04-07-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReDobie4xtina2

We've potty trained and taught basic obedience to our 15 year old Maltese X who used to be a backyard dog!

He is prefect with the "potty", "out", "sit", "come", and "nite nite" commands.. if anything he was easier to work with than Lukas as a puppy.. lol

wow, my mom's lhasa jack just doesnt listen, shes never disciplined him ever, he does what he wants, eats people food.. so trying to get him to work with me for food wasnt so great, he'd get bored and walk away knowing he'l just get steak or something later...

oh well, no sense in teaching him obedience, my mom wouldnt enforce it..

LPacker79 · 04-07-2008, 08:24 PM

My Sibe is 11, we've had him for 8 years now. He picks things up extremely quickly, but since he is a Sibe, the trick is finding the right way to do it. They're not anything like a lab, dobe, golden, etc. They're independent free thinkers, and it does get very frustrating sometimes.

My mom showed Lhasas for many years when I was young, and I do remember them being "different" personality-wise. They still weren't as tricky as Sibes though!

I'm definitely looking forward to training a Dobe!

Slyfuturedobydad · 04-07-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPacker79

My Sibe is 11, we've had him for 8 years now. He picks things up extremely quickly, but since he is a Sibe, the trick is finding the right way to do it. They're not anything like a lab, dobe, golden, etc. They're independent free thinkers, and it does get very frustrating sometimes.

My mom showed Lhasas for many years when I was young, and I do remember them being "different" personality-wise. They still weren't as tricky as Sibes though!

I'm definitely looking forward to training a Dobe!

yeah lhasa's are extremely independent, a golden,doby,lab,rotty, will stand by you, follow you, be loyal to YOU, lhasas on the other hand.. are like "il do what i want, if you fit in my schedule" type of attitude, it gets extremely anoying for instance, il say "Jack, come here!" and he wont even acknowledge me, and just walk away, such a different transition from when i had my golden, she'd be there in a heartbeat, lol

2RescuedDobies · 04-08-2008, 12:42 AM

I think it really depends on the dog. Even within a particular breed some dogs are more easy going while others are just knuckleheaded stubborn.

**greenkouki** · 04-08-2008, 01:27 AM

I think the problem is your mom's dog has little motivation. If you say he is constantly given attention, people food, and does what he wants he really doesn't see any benefit in listening to you. If you started ridding of little bad habits here and there, and waited to train him till he was hungry (motivated) you might have better results. I do agree though that a Lhasas are not known for their smarts or attention spans. Any motivated focused dog can be trained no matter the age.

LPacker79 · 04-08-2008, 10:38 AM

If anything, it would seem like training would get easier as the dog ages and gains a little maturity as far as attention spans go (I'm not speaking of my boy, he's got the attention span of a gnat). Sure, puppies are sponges, but there's got to be something said for the wiser, more mature mind as well.

Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!