Training a large-breed puppy to do certain tricks is easier when they are indeed a puppy. When they grow larger, the mere manueverability of you in relation to your dog can be tricky. But once a dog has learned how to learn, tricks and new behaviors can be taught at any age.
This is my nearly 5 year-old Dobermann who learned how to roll over as a puppy. Admitedly, I seldom ask him to roll over. So when I decided to check out his chops on doing a roll over today, I wasn’t sure if the behavior was still in his repertoire. What you don’t practice, fades.
Shortly after a few verbal cues and a quick rehearsal of how we did it in days gone by, he was able to flip on over and show me his prowess. In return, he was rewarded with some of his favorites…animal crackers. Organic ones.
When you train a dog a trick and forget to practice it, always go back to the basics. Generally, if the dog was well practiced in the beginning, he will pick up that rusty skill again, once he’s slowly rehearsed and guided back into responding to the cue.
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Helen Verte Schwarzmann
954-768-9696
239-368-3682
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Certified in Training and Counseling
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed
Certified Trick Dog Instructor
AKC STAR Puppy, CGC, and Trick Dog Trainer and Evaluator
Your Board-and-Train Dog Trainer for south Florida in Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Davie, and Broward, and east and southwest Florida, Fort Myers, Naples, Collier and Lee counties, cities near me
