I have 2 dogs right now, a shnauzer, and a westie (named Crackers). My westie is 7 years old and a poorly trained little dog. He isn't very responsive- he barely comes when you call him. He's very independent and does not like much human contact. Now, I have been doing a lot of research so I won't screw up training my new dog (the shnauzer) and I've read that it is really important to get your dog to respect you. I have a feeling that Crackers does not respect me in the least. I really love my Westie and I would like him to respect me, but at the age of 7, is it too late to get his respect? Is it too late to train him? Please respond.
2006-07-10 08:39:33 · 8 answers · asked by crackers133 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It's not too late, but you have to be patient and you have to understand the breed. My first dog was a westie and my current, second, dog is a westie. I never want another kind of dog. I love the westie's. However, they are very stubborn dogs. They like to do what they want, when they want. You could have the best trained dog in the world, but if your westie sees a squirrel or something and decides to go after it, good luck stopping him. Go to your local library and pick up a couple books about westies. This will help you understand the breed a little better. I don't think it's you, it's just a combination of the westie breed and his personality. My first westie was kinda independent, he didn't like to cuddle with you or even sit next to you, but he respected us. My second westie loves being around us, she likes sitting in our laps and cuddleing, but she doesn't like to listen. We know she hears and understands us, but we almost have to yell to get her to listen to us. She's trained very well, but it's just the stubborness in the breed. I agree, it's never to late to train you dog, but you have to be patient, understand the breed, and like I saw in another answer, make sure the dog knows that you are the dominant one.
2006-07-11 09:47:10 · answer #1 · answered by Satnin 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Terriers of any breed tend to be headstrong; you have to get them obedience trained, or they will be running the show. However, 7 is not too old- you will face more difficulty because the the stubborness of the breed than you will the dog's age. My advice is to get both dogs trained using Gentle Leader headcollars. They are fabulous, not only for teaching the whole Sit, Stay, Heel, Come routine, but many dogs seem to be calmed and more willing to listen and obey simply by having one on.
2006-07-10 15:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by wabbitqueen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started a dog for compition obedience at almost 9 -she was almost 11 when she titled - she was not the oldest in her classes there was a 12 yr old husky there too...
One of the only two agility champian whippets started at 8 yrs.
Now understand, the lack of need for constant human companianship may be a basic temperment trait that will not change - most dog of this independent mold will "work" better for food reward than praise.....
2006-07-10 15:48:48 · answer #3 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My trainer says the dog is NEVER too old to be trained. The biggest point she makes is the food you feed. You give it to him for 15 minutes and if he doesn't eat it, you take it away until the next feeding time. Same with going outside... I don't know if that works for you, but she just says to make sure you play the role of the dominant ones in all the ways you can. My male puppy (5 months) is very attached to us, but our new puppy (3.5 months), she is much more independent and doesn't really care to be around us like her brother so we are working with bonding with her also... just spend as much time as possible with him! Good luck!!
2006-07-10 15:47:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try working with a behaviorist and a trainer who have older dog experience.
Ask your vet or local club for a recommendation
I've also heard that using the NILIF method works. Nothing in life is free. This method is a non-confrontational way of reducing/controlling/preventing dominance or dominance aggression in dogs
2006-07-10 15:50:05 · answer #5 · answered by buffsterslays 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's never too late to train your dog, just men. I'm am sure you have tried very hard to no avail, maybe you should put him in a training class. Check your local pet store to see who offers obesdience classes for dogs. I know Petsmart has obedience classes. It's probably your best option.
2006-07-10 15:47:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not-go to obedience classes-start fresh and you will see results if you put the effort in.Rescue groups re-train dogs all the time.
2006-07-10 21:23:46 · answer #7 · answered by puupyluvtwo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.leerburg.com
Check out what this guy has to say in his training archives. I don't think it's too late, but I think it's a big job. Good luck.
2006-07-10 15:46:46 · answer #8 · answered by thewildeman2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋