The PetCot Company: Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

While you may have heard this old saying, you should be relieved to know that you can, in fact, train an older dog to obey your commands. While there are a few factors that impact how much your older dog can learn, the are capable of learning these new "tricks," even if they aren't capable of jumping through hoops anymore. Here are a few things you should keep in mind as you train your dog to obey commands.

Training History

There are studies that show that the more humans continue to exercise their brains, the more mentally alert they remain, and the same can be said of your "pup." If you are continually training them, teaching them, and encouraging them to learn, you will find that it is easier to train them later on.

Physical Conditions

Does your dog have any physical conditions that you should be aware of? Joint and muscle pain, hip dysplasia, obesity and heart problems can make training difficult sometimes. Especially if you are wanting to enroll them in a vigorous program.

Are There Any Mental Conditions?

"Doggie Alzheimer's" is a very real condition, and if your furry friend is experiencing this, it may make it more of a struggle to teach them new tricks, or even reinforce the old ones. You can speak to your vet if you suspect that your pet is suffering from this, there may be medications that can be administered.

Your Skill Level

It's always important to consider your skill level when thinking about training your older dog. Like with any pet, consistency is key. If you have any doubt that you'll be able to achieve that, you may want to enlist in the assistance of a professional who can train both you and your dog.

What Methods Have Been Used?

There have been studies that prove positive reinforcement is a much better way to train your pet, especially older dogs. If you want your dog to be an eager learner, you can stick with positive reinforcement to help encourage them to continue obeying.

Older Dog Training

There could be many reasons you're wanting to train your dog, maybe you adopted him from a shelter and he has some bad habits. You could have gotten him from a friend who could no longer care for him, or you may have never established good rules when they were younger, and now that they're older it's harder to manage them. You can use our PetCot beds to help establish a safe place for your pet to go, as well as use it to teach the "place" command. This command works wonders for dogs who tend to stay underfoot or greet guests with more energy than is generally welcome.

Best Pet Beds on the Market

PetCot pet beds are not only easy to use but easy to clean. With any older dog, having a comfortable bed that can be cleaned easily is a wonderful tool. Aside from our PetCot beds being easy to clean and use, we also have many attachments that make these beds even more amazing. The orthopedic dog bed insert enhances the benefits of the PetCot. It adds comfort and support for all pets, especially your older dogs. Visit our website today to learn how you can get a PetCot bed in your home!

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!