heapha Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 I have a 9 year old Rotti x mastiff. He is quite big and I am not a huge person. Sometimes he gets so excited to see me (and i am honored that it appears to be only me - but still) that he will jump and run and barrel me over. He came from the pound about a month ago and at first I thought he would settle down once he had settled in. Not suprising he did not show this behavior in the pound. He knows sit and down (with hand gestures) but doesn't seem to understand calm - or follow directions when excited. My question is - Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Could a 9 year old benifit from obedience lessons to make him better behaved? I would love to take him to off leash parks but I worry that his manners would be lacking and that he would get excited and not answer my call. I live in sydney (bexley) - if you do think it would be benificial, can you suggest a place for him to go to obedience lessons, and also how much it should cost (approx.) Thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Yes your dog can certainly learn different ways to behave. Keep in mind that if he has a history of these behaviours that they may take longer to change - this applies to dogs of any age. However consistent training on your part will make a difference to how he behaves. I don't know Bexley so can't advise but club training costs are normally (estimating here) membership fee approx 20-40 or so, joining fee maybe 20-30 and weekly training fees probably 3-5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted April 6, 2006 Author Share Posted April 6, 2006 Bexley is next to rockdale it is in sydneys inner southern suburbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttly Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Training sounds like a very good idea. One of ARF's foster dogs came equal first in her class and she is 8-9 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Slighty OT, but I think any dog and handler will benefit from obedience training -- it gets you both out and about, is a great opportunity to socialise the dog, gives you two a better bond, and leads to better manners. I'd say go for it. My boy was four and pretty badly behaved when we brought him home from the pound. Now, at age six, he's still learning but always getting better. I'm still learning too! If you're worried about your dog's manners at an off-leash park, you're making the right decision to not let him off-leash until both his manners and recall improve. That's not to say you shouldn't take him there. You can keep him on-lead or on a long line for recall practice. Not being a Sydneysider, I'm not sure which council you come under. But the council or your local vet should be able to point you to any local obedience classes. You can also look at the Delta Society Australia website for accredited instructors in your area. Good luck and, most importantly, have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ~*Pixie*~ Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Yep, I say go to the classes. Aside from anything, they're fun!! I take my 7 month old GSD x and I'm about to start taking my 4 year old Rotty x as well. There is hope... when I got Holly (probably about 10 months ago?), she was used to being handled by large bulky men who encouraged her to jump up and generally rough-house (she was a detection dog). She used to send me flying on a fairly regular basis but she now understands that I am significantly more fragile and I do not appreciate being made airborne It only took a couple of months with her... she will still jump up if she is REALLY excited but she doesn't launch herself AT me anymore, thank god Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted April 7, 2006 Author Share Posted April 7, 2006 I am only worried about it because the only "training method" I have to stop him makes me feel guilty. Basically I put him back outside and ignore him for a while (10mins to 30mins) It does usually do the trick but I feel so bad cause we are at work all day and he is just happy to see us. I really want a better way to handle him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ~*Pixie*~ Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Tried folding your arms and looking away from him, totally ignoring him until he sits down then paying attention to him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TURBOTERROR Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 yes you can teach old dogs new tricks !! , i have... my first obedience trialling dog was 6yrs old when i began training him , and he was in the trialling ring by 12yrs old ! , he almost got his first pass in novice too, he was blind in one eye too ( on the side where he had to watch my heeling leg ). kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttly Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Another thing is to make your comings and goings very low key - ignore him, no goodbyes. Once you are inside the house, wait a few minutes before greeting him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted April 7, 2006 Author Share Posted April 7, 2006 I tried that first (the folding arms) but he is too big to ignore this way. I had the scratches and teeth marks to proove it (only "gumming' not biting) then I get pushed around as he "bangs" into me. Funny thing is it really is only me, he jumps on - he will get excited and run to the OH but then he crounches low for a pat and kind of shakes. Me he jumps on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Continue with the sit training. Get him to sit for everything he wants. Everything. That way you give him something to do when he wants something from you - "say please by sitting" it's sometimes called. He can't be jumping when he's sitting. What you should be looking for is a sit when he wants something, without a cue from you. He offers the sit. You can give him the idea by holding some treats, he may try a number of things, when he sits, give him the treat immediately, while he's still sitting. Then move away, he gets up, show him the treat, he sits again, you give the treat. Repeat until he's offering you fast sits. (If at the beginning he doesn't offer a sit within a few minutes you could lure a sit for a few times, until he gets the idea). Once he's learned to sit for a treat, you can wait for him to sit before being patted, going through doors, going into the car, dinner, having the lead on, etc. I would also be doing the triangle of temptation programme - great way for the dog to learn self control, among other beneficial things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted April 7, 2006 Author Share Posted April 7, 2006 What is the triangle of temtation method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Triangle of Temptation is a feeding and respect program that I believe Steve (K9Force) developed and uses. He used to have a page about it on his website but I couldn't find it. He's in the Kurrajong area, I think, so you may be able to organise a consultation with him in the not-too-distant future if he isn't booked out! You should also find some info here on DOL if you conduct a search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BittyMooPeeb Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 There's also an article in this quarter's Dogs Life magazine on 'Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks'. I haven't read it yet so am not sure if it would be useful to you .... you could always skim through in the newsagents before you buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 OH has just started obedience with our inlaws 11 year old dog and she is doing well I don't think it's ever too late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Here is a link to triangle of temptation. Top of page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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