Training methods for older dogs

Wow, thank you. I will be checking with our library system first to see if they have any of the videos, books recommended here that I can check out. Hopefully they do. I just got my card renewed the other day and brought home the 2 dog training books they had in that branch just to see what they said. I really haven't gotten a chance to check them out and see what kind of methodology they use. Maybe they will be helpful, maybe not. I also definetly want to lookinto getting the clicker.

I had really wanted to get a boxer from the boxer rescue organization near here, after checking out some different breeds. But they are adult dogs. My husband will be happy if we ultimately get a puppy, but it will have to be at a time when I have more time than I do at this moment to bring home a puppy. When I brought the Rottie home, I was off for the whole week, never let her have one accident, and she house-trained so easy, I know I had it good with her. As for the male/female, I really have to go with a female even though our dogs are females. if I had to get a male, I wouldn't get another one. I am an avid gardner and although my girls will occassionally walk over something to pee on it, for the most part they don't lift their legs on my trees and bushes and things. We actually fenced in our yard a couple years ago, and one reason was that the neighbors allow all their dogs to run free throughout the neighborhood and they were making it extremely difficult to keep anything nice. We had borders up around everything and it was a mowing nightmare.

I haven't really tried anything with Bear yet, I kind of wanted a more solid foundation on where to start, but she has been spending a lot more of her time with me when I am outside since Kota is gone. I have started ignoring her when she tries to shake when I haven't asked for it. I just taught her that a short time ago, and so she tried shaking all the time. She has already stopped constantly trying it, so I can see how the smallest details can make such a big difference.

Yes, I can say that having so much irritaion with each other was a little bit of a put-off in my first real post asking a question, but I have belonged to a horse forum for many years, and know a lot of people there well, and it happens. Sometimes people can lose sight of the object which is to address the issue. I tend to try to ignore most stuff, sometimes though I have to say something. here I don't know anyone, or their style or personalities so I will try to keep my opinions to myself until I do. But I do appreciate the posts directed towards answering my questions, and I think this is probably going to be a great place for information.

Julie

Ok, maybe dumb question. looking for posts in both the training areas. there are 6 listed here, and 15 in the other training section. I know there has to be more of them. Is there someway to access archives that I am not seeing? Julie

spiritsmom

When I brought the Rottie home, I was off for the whole week, never let her have one accident, and she house-trained so easy, I know I had it good with her.

You got it in one.... supervision and not letting indoor pee happen is the fastest way to train.  You weren't just "lucky" - you did something RIGHT, don't sell yourself short!

spiritsmom

As for the male/female, I really have to go with a female even though our dogs are females. if I had to get a male, I wouldn't get another one. I am an avid gardner and although my girls will occassionally walk over something to pee on it, for the most part they don't lift their legs on my trees and bushes and things.

OK, just a couple of thoughts here.  First, a male who is neutered early is *less likely* to mark.  However it's not a given!  By the same token (this is improtant) it's not a given that bitches won't mark either!  Some DO!  It's true that they are *less likely* to.

To save your garden, and to give you more freedom of choice over male/female (if that is the only thing influencing the decision at the moment), I would use training to teach all your dogs to pee in a certain place. 

It is not particularly difficult.  You KNOW you can train a dog to toilet OUTSIDE, not INSIDE.  Well, you can use the same principles to teach the dog to use a specific spot in your garden for toileting.  ie, don't let toileting happen in the "wrong" place by using supervision and management - and don't forget to pile on the HIGH VALUE rewards when toileting happens in the RIGHT spot.  You could use a lead long enough to allow them enough freedom to choose a spot, but short enough to ensure they can't choose a spot you don't want them to use.  It would definitely be helpful if you encourage your resident dogs to pee/poo in a certain area before you bring another dog into you home.... they will do MUCH of the "hard work" for you when that new dog does come home.  They will set an example and she will "get it" faster if she can see and smell that THIS is where we eliminate.

Edit to add - the search feature is hopeless here.  It is the main downside of this forum!

Kota was the worst for marking, I was always amazed at how many times she could pee in one outing. She did kind of lift her leg sometimes, even when squating, but since she was mostly "pointed downward" there generally wasn't a problem with it. The other 2 girls don't tend to do it, but they did try walking over some small bushy trees that for some reason they thought needed to be peed on. The only male dog we ever had was a beagle, and he was too short to get it on anything he was aiming at.

And thank you for the compliment. Julie