Is It Ever Too Late To Potty Train A Dog
If you are asking if its ever too late to potty train a dog, then you might be dealing with one or more of these things:
- Your dog has never lived inside and has thus never been potty trained.
- Your small dog or puppy was taught to use pee pads or paper inside, and now you want to retrain your dog to potty outside.
- Your small dog was taught to pee outside, but you live in a big city or somewhere with a lot of snow, so you want to teach them to go potty inside or on a balcony.
- Your old dog cant hold their bladder long enough to make it outside before peeing or pooping anymore, or they can no longer walk down your stairs to make it to your yard.
- Your dog needs to learn to use the bathroom inside or on fake grass because of an airplane trip or an event where only indoor bathroom areas are available.
Potty training an older dog can be difficult and often takes commitment and consistency on your part but its certainly possible.
How Do You Tell If A Puppys Ears Will Stand Up
Another way to tell if your pup’s ears are likely to stand is by observing where they are set on the head. Ears that will stand, even partially, tend to be set higher on the head and closer together than pendant ears. The cartilage at the base of a standing ear will begin to start feeling firm by 4-to-6 weeks old.
Training A Six Month Old German Shepherd Puppy
According to expert dog trainers with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the type of training your dog receives from the ages of two to six months is vital to raising a healthy, happy adult dog.
However, this isnt to say that once your dog turns six months old you can relax your training efforts. Quite the contrary!
For example, many German Shepherd puppies wont even get all of their 42 adult teeth until after they turn eight months old. So your GSD puppy may still be teething and biting on everything in sight to deal with that painful process.
Also Check: How To Train A 3 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy
What Games Are Best For Training Your Intelligent Energetic German Shepherd
Using games in between training sessions helps your dog to burn energy and keep training fun.
It also breaks up the training sessions so that your dog doesnt get bored.
The best games to play for training include those that increase your dogs mental stimulation. Pick a couple of these fun games for German Shepherds to give you and your dog a break from too much training.
Easy training game ideas:
- Throw a ball from a tennis ball launcher to work on fetch skills and commands, such as drop it or release.
- Use a flirt pole and have your dog catch the lure and then work on leave it or have them perform a down after catching the flirt poles lure toy.
Remember that your dog will continue to play in all types of weather, so avoid overheating them in hot and humid conditions.
Take fresh water with you to offer your dog to keep them cool. Avoid the hottest parts of the day in your area.
Remember, you can avoid frustration with your training by using the games found in this online positive dog training course. This program walks you through exactly how to play obedience games to increase obedience.
Dont underestimate learning how to train a 2 year old German Shepherd by including lots of games.
Using games frequently also helps your dog to bond more strongly with you.
Why Do You Glue Dogs Ears
As the teething process in puppies begins most of the calcium in the body is being used to form teeth and bone rather than staying in the cartilage of the ear often resulting in rosed or flying ears. This is when the ears should be glued.
All puppies are born with their ears flat against their head. Between 4 and 7 months of age, if your puppy is meant to have prick ears, they will usually stick up. It can take up to a year for a puppy’s ears to stand. Some puppy’s ears stay floppy forever, even if prick ears are characteristic of their breed.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My German Shepherd So Aggressive Towards Other Dogs
What I Have Learned From My Own Experience;
I like to practice this exercise 2 or 3 times a day for 4 to 6 minutes at a time every day- when training young pups at this age. Puppies have a short attention span, we dont want to overtrain a young puppy. Sometimes we as humans expect too much too fast and can forget what we learn from owning our last dog.
We forgot puppyhood. I know I have made this mistake before. I have learned after training multiple German Shepherd puppies, how to spend a good enough amount of time working them by training shot training sessions to get the best results.
Signs Your German Shepherd Is Bored
Raising a dog is quite a responsibility, and while some pets just need food and shelter, dogs require positive engagement, socialization, and exercise. German Shepherds are a large breed with lots of energy, and if you dont find productive outlets for this energy, youll have an aggressive dog who is poorly socialized and frustrated.;
We often overlook our own boredom but doing the same with our canines is unfair. The consequences of boredom vary, and you should watch out for the following signs that indicate that your German Shepherd is bored.
Your Dog Chews and Digs a Lot
While chewing things and digging soft earth are natural tendencies among canines, if you notice a spike in such behavior, you can be sure that it is because your girl wants to alleviate her boredom.;
In case youve never adopted a dog before, you may talk to a friend who has dogs and ask them to observe whether the frequency with which your German Shepherd digs or bites is typical for her age/breed. Please note that youll need to train your dog to avoid such behavior, even if this is not excessive. You can check out this article, German Shepherd Behavior Problems: Tips That Actually Work! for greater insight into this topic.
Your Dog Pants and Claws Sans-Stimuli
Read Also: Is The Furminator Good For German Shepherds
How To Potty Train An Older Chihuahua
Category: Dogs Here are the top 10 resources related to How To Potty Train An Older Chihuahua based on our research. When properly trained, these dogs make excellent hiking companions. 1. How I Potty-Trained my Impossible Chihuahua | I Love My Chi How I Potty-Trained my Impossible Chihuahua · Crate
Where To Get A German Shepherd Puppy
Never buy a German Shepherd puppy from a pet store or from an Internet site that will ship a pup to you without asking you any questions beyond “Check or charge?” These puppies come from puppy mills. They will not only be sickly, but they will have missed a major learning period for basic training and will be harder to train and more uncontrollable.
The best German Shepherd puppies come from breeders, animal shelters, or rescuers. German Shepherds are most often abandoned when they are six months old and past the cute stage.
Read Also: Why Does My German Shepherd Bark At Other Dogs
Training A German Shepherd Puppy
Using Shock And Prong Collars On A Gsd
Dont use a trainer that relies on shock collars and prongs, as this generally isnt necessary for your companion dog.
You want your dog to respond to your commands not because they are frightened of you giving them a zap or pinch with their collars.
Patience, love, and understanding will turn your untrained GSD into a well-mannered dog in the end, but dont be a wimp and let them walk over you.
Instead of using harsh tools and punishment, read this useful post on how to quickly bond with your German Shepherd so you dont lose your dogs trust and devotion.
Also Check: How Big Will My German Shepherd Be
Set Reasonable Expectations For Your Older Dog
Although senior pets are able to learn and perform new behaviors, there are a few factors to be aware of. Many older dogs have difficulty with behaviors that require extensive stamina or strength, making tasks like competitive flyball or agility training unrealistic. Senior pets also have possible changes in the brain associated with aging that can affect learning. One potential way to combat brain aging is to ask your veterinarian about adding fatty acids and brain health supplements to your dog’s diet, such as Neutricks, which may help with healthy brain aging. Finally, if your pet develops behavior changes in old age, dont jump right to training, but consult with your veterinarian first, as some changes can be linked to medical issues that your veterinarian needs to address, such as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
As long as your dog is physically and mentally capable of performing the behavior and has the proper motivation, the benefits of training are endless and will provide you and your dog with a method of bonding and communicating that cannot be achieved otherwise.
Follow These Steps To Train Them To Focus On You
STEP 1 Pick a special, high-value treat and start in a quiet area of your home.
STEP 2 Hold the treat where your German shepherd can see it in your hand, but out of reach of your dog.
STEP 3 Now, say your dogs name once and only once. Dont repeat their name or youll teach your dog to ignore you calling them. Youre waiting patiently for your dogs eyes to look at your eyes but, theyll probably stare at your hand with the treat.
STEP 4 Next, use a cue word, such as look or focus as soon as your dog looks at your eyes. They will probably only look at your eyes for a split second at first, so be prepared to say your command cue exactly as they look at your eyes.
STEP 5 Reward your dog with the treat as soon as they look at you. Remember, you should reward them immediately, and not a second too late or youll reward them for looking away.
STEP 6 Repeat this scenario a few times a day, always with their super special treat in hand. Work up to your German Shepherd looking into your eyes in increasing times, such as 2-seconds, then 3-seconds, and so on in order for them to earn their reward.
STEP 7 Stay consistent with a reward for every time they look at you in the beginning. With practice, you can begin to wean your dog off of the treat, but only after youve conditioned them to the command cue.
You May Like: How Much Should A 9 Month Old German Shepherd Eat
Train Your Dog To Fetch
If you have taken your German Shepherd to public parks and he has watched other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. You can use one of your dogs favorite toys and throw it a short distance away. Your GSD may not bring the toy back to you for a second time, but he will eventually figure it out.
Over the next few weeks, you can gradually turn it into a game of fetch, rewarding your puppy with high-value training treats. Your German Shepherd will learn FETCH! in no time!
Training Goal #2: Crate Training
This is also a good time for crate training, which Adams recommends as well. GSD trainer and dog sports enthusiast Alexa Hagood, LVMT, agrees: Crate breaks, even when brief, can help the puppy become acclimated to going in the crate and having some alone time. She notes that this can help reduce the risk of a puppy developing separation anxiety, and recommends beginning with using the crate for feeding times , and at times when the owner needs to do daily chores.
Don’t Miss: Why Are German Shepherds So Smart
Why Is My German Shepherd Not Listening To Me
You might wonder why your German Shepherd isnt listening to you when you just KNOW you trained them right.
But, there are many reasons why.
For example, your dog might not be listening because:
- Theyre sick or ill and unable to work through it.
- Theyre in pain or too stressed.
- Theyre over-stimulated or lack impulse control .
- Youve asked them to perform a command that they actually dont know.
The first thing you need to remember is you need to be able to communicate effectively with your dog. This is the number one way to practice proper listening skills and obedience.
Remember that German Shepherds dont always understand the methods of communication that you may tend to use. So, its your job as their fair teacher to find a language that works for both of you.
Is A 17 Month Old Dog Too Old To Train
SchatziEllieNever too old to train!
jakeinAK said:Im new to the forum and am thinking of adopting a gsd that is a 17 month old male pure bred. He knows simple commands like sit, stay, and laydown and is potty trained but thats about the extent. My question is, is he passed the point where training him will be a very difficult task or with a good amount of time and pataince invested can he still turn into a great dog? My main goal is to keep him from wanting to jump up on people and put his paws on people, which he even does to his current owner. He will be strictly a companion/ home protection dog.
Age doesn’t matter that much.
Kwolf94 said:No dog is “too old to train”. With persistence and patience I bet you could teach him lots of stuff! And congrats/welcome! You will find that you can ask any questions you have about your shepherd here, and people will be happy to give their insights and suggestions
really
Recommended Reading: How Much Dog Food To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy
What Is The Best Age For A German Shepherd To Start Training
Jul 9, 2015 You can train your GSD puppy the moment you bring them home. They are born learners and can learn commands like, sit, down, and stay at the age of 5 to 6;43 answers; · ;3 votes:;If by time you mean age, then you can start any puppy at around 6 to 8 weeks of age. What is the right time or age to train a German 15 answersJun 14, 2015Why it is so hard to train a German Shepherd? Quora22 answersNov 14, 2018What should I do to train my 1 year old German 14 answersMay 25, 2017How old does a German Shepherd have to be for 15 answersOct 22, 2017More results from www.quora.com What Is The Best Age >>
Feb 17, 2019 When To Start German Shepherds Training? What is the right age you can train your Pup? You can train your GSD puppy the moment you bring; Methods To Train German Shepherd Dogs Strategies And
Never separate a puppy from his mother and littermates before the age of 7-8 weeks. · After you get your baby German Shepherd and visit the vet, start socialization; German Shepherd Puppy Training Guide
Important Things To Consider In Potty
Effective GSD potty-training will depend on you as the owner. You need patience, time and dedication. Some training methods are quite confusing for owners. Here are a few things that owners might want to consider.
- To crate or not to crate
Crate training is a good way to train your puppy not to make a mess in your home. Some owners dont approve of crate training simply because they think it is inhumane. If you opt to crate train your dog as part of potty-training, make sure that the crate wont be too large for your puppy where it can sleep on the other end and treat the other end as a toilet. GSDs in general, dont like doing business where it sleeps, so a large crate will just provide it a space for relieving itself.
For some dedicated pet owners, aside from potty times after meals, they choose to give their puppies early morning and late evening potty time They are also especially alert when their puppies are crying or making sounds at night. This approach might make you feel a little sleepless at first, but consider the benefits you will gain.
- Dog training pads
- Leash
It is but natural for GSD puppies to wander around the house and leave traces of their accidents. There are a number of pet owners who choose to keep their puppies in their house on a; leash instead of crate training. It might be effective in preventing accidents but it might also affect your puppys behavior.
- Time
You May Like: What Size Cage For A German Shepherd