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MANNERS
All dogs need to be trained; want to be trained. Like children,
they need and want parameters to live and act within, and desire
rules and regulations. Even in a wild pack there are rules--just
as we need rules in our domesticated pack. 
I have taught recreation classes for companion dog obedience
since 1973. The majority of dogs in these classes fall into two
groups:
- Rescued pound puppies that someone dumped because they were
untrained, unruly and unwanted, or
- Dogs that are 6 to 7 months old and on their way to being
untrained, unruly and unwanted (but the owners are making an
effort to recoup the error of not training when the pup was
little).
Dogs can and must be taught from the moment they move away from
Mama....actually, any training you do is a continuation of what
the puppy has learned from Mama. You don't have to do formal obedience
class-perfect training, but by the time pup is ready for formal
classes, his preschool will have taught him to sit, down, stand,
stay on command, come when called and walk politely on a lead.
If taught from the beginning--at home before dinner, coming
in from outside, while watching TV with the family--the transition
to formal classes will not be traumatic and will be a pleasure
to both of you. Formal training won't be a desperate try for obedience,
but a night out for both you and your pup to enjoy.
 The
old adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is proven to
be untrue. It may take more patience because the learning portion
of the older dog's brain does not respond as quickly as the puppy
and the older dog can be more set in it's ways, but it can be
done.
I have taught many older dogs. They come to classes because the
owners just wanted something to do with their buddy. My own dogs,
at 14 and 11, are always working on new exercises daily just to
keep the grey matter and the body active. "Use it or lose it"
makes sense for dogs too.
For more information e-mail me
at doglady@naturaldog.com
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