Speaking of Obedience Class, What is the oldest a dog can be to go? How old was yours

[pw2pp]

Is 4 years too old for a dog to go to Obedience Class?
Would she be the only older dog in a class full of pups?
How old was your dog?
Did it work?

 

[LindaG4458]

Cookie and I quit as hopeless when she was 5 (we had been going since she was a pup!). The oldest dog in our beginners class was 9 years! It was an adoption case and was so eager to please his owner! It's never too late.

I should add that Cookie thought class was a social event rather than an opportunity to learn. She made lots of friends but never got one leg on her obedience title.

 

[cindala]

Our Nellie, a Jack Russell Terrier, was a puppy when we took her to class. Unfortunately, she was an obedience school drop out.

She has always thought of herself as human, and the other dogs as well, the enemy. It got too stressful keeping her from fighting and barking with the other dogs!

Five years later, her thinking on dogs hasn't changed much at all!

 

[lisajl]

I am signing up our dog for classes at home.

We got our dog from our local humane society and she has issues.

She really hates men. Not violent, just shaking, terrified kind of hate.
She has no self confidence.
I finally got a call from the trainer and we are going to start in May (hopefully). Chloe is about 1 1/2 years old. We figure she would not do well with a bunch of new people and dogs right away.

Plan is, do a few at home, see how she does and move her into the big class.

Good luck with your decision. Hope it works out for you.

Lisajl

 

[doxdogy]

Nope not to old to start class. We started our SuzyQ when she was about 2. But, it wasn't meant to be. She was flunked out of obedience school.

 

[janette]

We are going to take our older dog when we take the puppy. We got her from the pound but she responds to some commands so she probably has had some before. She's about 7yo.

 

[Toodles524]

Well, are you talking the first time? Or the fourth, or fifth? lol No, he didn't flunk, he just loved it so much we kept going back. He thought it was a social thing too, but he did pay attention. He was about 6 the last time. He was obeying hand signals by then. (This was a german shepard, and he weighed about 110 pounds, so this was a very good thing!) Some dogs like it more than others, but I don't think any dog would be too old to try!

 

[kerrynic78]

Wow Lisajl, I think our dogs might be related! I did a 5 week training class with my rescue dog when he was 6 months but there were dogs there that were as old as 4 years. My problem is that my dog would not get along with the men in the class or the other dogs (he hated them actually) so I am going to attempt in home training as well since this dog is a mess!! I love him to death but he really needs help!

 

[Joyciemc]

I would love to take my dog- he's about 7 and I got him when he was maybe 2. He knows sit, stay etc... and even heels (or he did, I went away to school and came back to a somewhat less obedient doggy). I wonder if a refresher course would help with his manners in public. He gets along with other dogs, but can be a pain on the leash- barking and being pushy- when other dogs walk by.
Wow, that got long! Just wanted to say that I'm also wondering about the results you can get by taking an older dog to a class.

 

[nativetxn]

I took my Sassygirl when she was 8. The animal behaviorist said it is never "too late" to teach dogs obedience. Old dogs <i>can</i> learn new tricks.

She did very well, too. She heels and automatically sits when you stop walking, she obeys the sit, down and stay commands and comes when she is called. It made her a happier dog, I think. That was 5 years ago and she is still well behaved.

 

[yoopermom]

Just a little brag, 6 weeks ago my DH came to me and said, "X has a dog that is going to die if we don't take it. It's 12 yrs old, has lived it's life as a hunting dog, tied to a dog house, is arthritic, won't eat anymore, and won't come out of its house." Well, with tons of love and patience, Jilly has learned to be a house dog: she's potty trained (crated when we're not home), sit/stays until her dog bowl is put on the floor, "honors" her humans at the door (we go first), negotiates stairs (when allowed, a big treat to go upstairs and sleep on DS's bed), and socializes with other dogs and people. It CAN be done! This dog had been treated as livestock all it's life, and is now working on her AKC Good Citizen certificate. Go for it!
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[lisajl]

Terri,

THANK YOU for being a wonderful human being!!!

Bless your heart for taking that dog in. You are probably giving it the best days of its life.

Lisa

 

[yoopermom]

Lisa,
I wish you could see her. My heart sings to hear her snoring on the couch during "American Idol"! I wish all these puppy-crazy people would PLEASE consider an "older" dog. We have a 10 and a 12 yr old in the house, and they're true "couch potatoes". At our local shelter they adopt out "senior to seniors" (dog to people) for free! Any age dog can learn, really, and Jilly's proof!
Terri

 

[Toodles524]

Yeah, We have a cat...........and she has an attitude.......and we love her dearly. But dogs are so wonderful. They'll do almost anything for you if you just love them. I call it goofy love. Every good dog I've ever had just plain ole acts goofy when you love them. The dog I have now is 6. I keep saying I'm going to take him to school. When I get time! (Good thing it's never to late!)