Training adult dogs
The earlier dogs learn the most important basics of training, the fewer problems they will cause later in their lives with humans. That much is certain. But what if such basic training was neglected during puppyhood? Can adult dogs be trained? How should I train my adult dog? We'll show you what to consider when training your adult dog and which seven exercises you should practice with him.
Dogs learn throughout their lives.
The good news: dogs learn throughout their lives. Just like us humans, they never really stop learning. Even into old age, they are capable of acquiring commands, rules, and certain behaviors – just as they are capable of developing undesirable behaviors as adult dogs. Therefore, their training should never end. After all, the best basic training is useless if you later let the adolescent dog get away with everything out of laziness. Commands, once taught, must be maintained for life. A clear "stay" should not later become a "please wait a moment."
Training adult dogs: Advantages
Of course, small dogs – just like children – often learn faster. They are easier to "mold" because they are extremely inquisitive, learn a lot through play, and are still unbiased about the world. This can be used to advantage in puppy training. On the other hand, puppies also have to learn basic behaviors first – no dog is born house-trained, and no puppy will leave furniture and shoes alone if it has never heard a clear "no." The training and socialization of a puppy. Therefore, it usually takes up more space than when you are training adult dogs, who are generally already used to living with people.
Training an adult dog can therefore also have its advantages. Older dogs. They are generally calmer and more stable than puppies. They are house-trained. Adult dogs can usually be left alone for short periods and have already become accustomed to a more or less fixed daily routine of sleeping, eating, and going for walks. Longer walks are already possible, and adult dogs also need fewer breaks during training than playful puppies, who can quickly become overwhelmed.
What problems can arise when training a dog?
Training an adult dog can also have its drawbacks. One disadvantage is that certain behaviors have often become ingrained over months or even years. If these behaviors are suddenly no longer desired, the dogs react stubbornly and with insecurity. Changing learned behaviors demands a lot from the adult dog and therefore requires consistency and, above all, patience from the owner. The question, therefore, is not whether adult dogs can still be trained, but rather when they will permanently apply what they have learned. An older dog can be trained just like a young dog – it just might take a little longer.
What to do in cases of severe behavioral problems?
If you want to train dogs that have already developed serious behavioral problems, you will need a great deal of patience. Before you begin to "combat" the unwanted behavior with targeted training, you must first investigate the cause. Why does my dog destroy things? Why does he react aggressively? Why won't he stop barking? Particularly behind the biting and destructive tendencies of some dogs lie serious psychological disorders, which can be triggered not only by traumatic experiences or chronic pain, but also by persistent stress, isolation, or a lack of physical and mental stimulation. The better you understand the causes behind your dog's behavior, the more targeted and promising the training of your adult dog can be. First-time dog owners, in particular, should definitely seek the help of an expert in such cases. But even for people with experience with dogs, a consultation with a dog trainer and attendance at a dog training school can be beneficial.
What does basic dog training entail?
For the coexistence of dogs and humans to work, certain rules are necessary. No other animal lives as closely with humans as the dog, and no other animal is more "humanized" than our four-legged friend. It is often overlooked that the dog descends from the wolf and, like its wolf ancestor, requires a certain order within its "pack" to provide it with security and orientation. Dogs need clear rules that are consistently enforced. Any exception to these rules unsettles them and, in particular, tempts self-confident breeds to take over the leadership themselves.
To avoid conflicts, your dog must master basic commands such as "sit," "down," "leave it," "heel," and "stay." He shouldn't simply run into the street when you call "sit," he shouldn't run across the supermarket parking lot when you command "stay," and he shouldn't chase the neighbor's rabbit or dog when you command "heel." The following exercises provide a foundation that your dog should master and will make life easier not only for you, but also for your dog and those around you.
The right training for adult dogs
Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult dog who has simply lacked training is largely irrelevant. Nevertheless, you should consider your dog's age when training them. While puppies benefit from their playfulness and training sessions should be kept relatively short, more experienced dogs often need more stimulation and challenges to readily learn new things. Adult dogs have already developed strong preferences. The better you know your dog, the better you can utilize these preferences in your training. Dog training works best through positive reinforcement. If you know what your dog likes, you can reward them with it as soon as they exhibit the desired behavior. This doesn't always have to be with treats. It could be, but it could also be petting, a word of praise, a toy, or a fetch game with sticks or a ball.
The most important exercises at a glance
Leash training
Dogs should learn to walk on a loose leash from the very beginning. They need to learn to ignore people and other animals when leashed and not to be pulled in any particular direction. Once an adult dog has learned that pulling hard enough on the leash gets them what they want, they will do it again and again. But with a little know-how and, above all, plenty of patience and consistency, you can break them of the pulling habit. To help your dog break this learned pattern, it can be helpful to first try changing the situation. For example, if they've been wearing a collar, switch to a harness. If they pull on both, try switching from a harness to a collar. Or, if the reverse doesn't make sense, you can also tie a cloth around his neck and attach the leash to it. Your dog should consciously perceive this change as "new" by showing him his new "walking gear" and letting him sniff it thoroughly. This will make him more willing to embrace something new.
Stop if your dog pulls.
If you start your walk and your dog immediately starts pulling on the leash, stop. Only continue walking when your dog approaches you again, and the leash becomes slack. As soon as he pulls again, stop once more. Consistently maintain this pattern. If your dog pulls very hard on the leash and you can only prevent him from moving forward with difficulty, invite him to come to you using verbal commands or body language. As another exercise, place a treat or a favorite dog toy at a distance (about 20 meters) in a clearly visible spot on the path. Your dog will likely want to rush towards it immediately. However, hold him back and command him to come to you. As soon as he turns around, take a few steps back and show him that the path continues only in your direction. Only when he manages to stand beside you on a loose leash should you approach the object of his desire. He only receives the reward once he has learned to control himself and walk at your pace.
"Sit" command
To teach your dog to sit on command, a treat can be very helpful. Hold it well above his head. If your dog tries to jump for it, keep your hand closed. To see the treat better, your dog will soon sit down. As soon as his rear end and front paws are on the ground, say the "sit" command and give him the treat. Praise him with words or petting as well.
After just a few exercises, your dog will have learned to sit on the word "sit"—before you even give him a treat. To practice longer periods of sitting, you can gradually increase the time before the reward. You can easily integrate practicing the "sit" command into your daily routine: when putting your dog on and taking him off the leash, at the bakery, or at every red light.
Command “Place”
Unlike the "sit" command, your dog should lie down when given the "down" command. When lying down, his rear end and both elbows should touch the ground. You can achieve this position by holding the treat directly in front of your dog's nose while he is sitting and slowly lowering it to the ground in front of his eyes. Hold the treat as close to the ground as possible. To get the treat, your dog will initially lower his snout. Then, slowly move your hand away from his snout, keeping it close to the ground. Your dog will follow your hand until he is finally "forced" to lie down. Then say the "down" command and give him his treat.
Before he gets up on his own, he should sit on your verbal cue. Once your dog is sitting, you can repeat or end the exercise. There are many possible situations for practicing "down," for example, in a café, at the bus stop, during a conversation with a neighbor, or later in a restaurant. Here, too, timing is crucial: the more tired your dog is, the more likely he is to lie down. Therefore, it's best to practice the "down" command initially after a long walk, and not beforehand when your dog is still full of energy.
Command “Here”
At the verbal command "Here" (or a corresponding whistle), your dog should come to you immediately and quickly from off-leash. Adult dogs that haven't yet learned to respond to such a command should, of course, not be allowed to run freely off-leash initially.
Step 1: Practice in your apartment
Therefore, practice the "Here" command indoors first, ideally during his mealtime. For this exercise, you'll need a second, trusted person to hold the dog while you prepare his food at a distance. Your dog should be able to see you. As soon as you call the "Here" command, the second person releases the dog. When your dog comes to you, praise him enthusiastically and place his food bowl on the floor. Once you feel your dog understands the command in relation to his meal, you can begin calling him to you with a clear "Here," even outside mealtimes. If your dog comes to you immediately, reward him with a treat and clearly show him how pleased you are that he came. As a further progression, you can try the exercise in an enclosed garden.
Step 2: Exercise during a walk
Only when your dog reliably comes to you on command can you let him off-leash during a walk and practice the exercise. It's best to start in secluded areas where you're unlikely to encounter other dogs that could distract him. Alternatively, you can practice very early in the morning or very late at night when the streets or parks are quiet. Only give your dog the "Come" command when you're certain he'll obey. If you see another dog, put him back on his leash and only perform the exercise once the other dog is out of sight.
It is also advisable to practice the "Here" command in conjunction with the dog's name. Experience shows that owners are more likely to call their dog by name in stressful situations.
Command “Stay”
Dogs need to learn to sit or lie down in a specific spot. Not just in front of the supermarket, but also when the doorbell rings or when visitors arrive who are afraid of dogs, they should obey your "sit" and "stay" commands. To do this, they must first master the "sit" or "down" command. Once your dog can stand or lie calmly by your side on command, you can begin the "stay" exercise.
This is how you practice staying seated or standing.
Give your dog a signal (for example, point to the ground with your flat hand) and say "Stay" clearly. Now stand in front of your dog and move away just far enough that the leash hangs loosely between you. Stand still for a moment and then return to your dog. If your dog remains in a sit or down position, praise him explicitly. If you reward your dog with a treat, he should only receive it if he has remained sitting or lying down the moment you return. Even if he has waited patiently and only jumped up at the last moment, do not reward him. If you were to give him the treat, then he would associate it with jumping up, not staying. You can practice the exercise initially with a longer leash and later without one. You should also gradually increase the duration of the "standing still" command.
Is attending a dog training school worthwhile?
Practicing the commands described here requires not only a lot of time but also a great deal of discipline. Especially when training adult dogs that have already developed undesirable behaviors, an owner needs not only consistency and sensitivity but, above all, patience and perseverance. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't work immediately. It takes time for a dog to accept the alternative behavior and understand that it's worthwhile for them to listen to your commands. Regular attendance at a dog training school can be a good motivator. Especially if you have your first dog, conversations with experts and other dog owners are often very insightful. Even if you read countless guides, you still have to put what you've learned into practice. It's important that the dog training school's approach is sound. It should suit you and your dog. Generally, the groups shouldn't be too large so that the trainer can dedicate themselves intensively to each individual dog (and owner) and readily answer all questions.
We wish you and your dog every success on your journey together!