So, a bit of background . . . I love dogs and interact well with them, but my only experience “owning” a dog is with my friend’s dog (Rusty) that I have taken care for extended periods of time (like a month+). My friend got Rusty as a puppy and Rusty, who is now 11, was very easily trained and is a very easy dog to take care of.
But I’ve come into the market for my own dog lately, and my friend serendipitously started fostering a dog that she raved about (Sammy).
She got Sammy from a large downtown shelter where he had been for weeks (not sure of many other details); the vet thinks he’s about 8 and he does have a large cataract in his left eye. She raved about how calm/easy/friendly he was so I thought I’d come visit. I saw him today and I really liked him so she offered a “trial run” of a couple of days–she was really sweet about it and said if it didn’t work out, to bring him back, no pressure, and she’d find someone else for him. She had Sammy for a week before I took him.
So today I brought Sammy home and I’m already a bit overwhelmed. He is very chill and adjusted quickly but he’s completely untrained. He doesn’t come when I call his name, doesn’t sit, pulls on the leash, and found the area on the carpet where Rusty used to lay and sprinkled on it.
But I can tell he’s a really chill, relaxed dog, and I’m SURE if I had gotten him as a puppy he’d be great and very easy to train. I’m just so nervous about training such an older dog. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or experience in this kind of situation?
Oh also compared to Rusty so far he is very food un-motivated. Rusty was obsessed with food and would do anything for a treat. So far this dog has ignored milk-bones and biljack, which I could not even imagine Rusty doing ever.
Well I DON’T believe you “can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, but, it’ll take a lot of patience and don’t expect miracles.
He’s old, but should be able to learn a few basics like answering to you calling his name, in time.
We once got an older dog (though not as old as yours) and in time he learned things like answering to a new name and walking without pulling.
We’re managing to train my mom’s 11 y/o shih-tzu to not bark at people walking by her back patio-seems to be working, but at the moment she will only desist on command, won’t not bark on her own initiative. But it’s a start.
8 is nothing. My 10-year-old basenji was my training partner during my course to become a dog trainer this summer, and she did great.
You do need to find a motivator. Think of something small and squishy and stinky. Most dogs can’t resist hot dogs, so if you cut one up into tiny pieces, you get lots of bang for your buck.
If you haven’t read it, Karen Pryor’s Don’t Shoot the Dog is the classic intro to clicker training. You can also probably find a class based on these principles - force-free, positive training, which builds the bond between dog and owner.
For leash pulling, a good stop-gap is a front-clip harness. It protects the throat while the dog is learning to learn. I like the Easy Walk.
Learning his name: be aware that he may have had “Sammy” attached to him at the shelter, but it’s entirely possible he’s answered to another name all of his life. Cut that one some slack.
Ugh, you guys I’m really stressed about this. He kept scratching at my rug. Initially he stopped when I told him to, but then he kept doing it more and more and kept going even when I told him to stop. Initially batting at his leg made him stop but ultimately that stopped working too. I tried grabbing him by the scruff a couple of times and saying, “No!” in a loud voice but he actually looked like he was going to bite me when I did that. Finally he peed a large amount in the corner of the rug. I rolled up the rug and stuck it in the corner.
I almost feel like he’s being defiant, although I’m sure that’s anthomorphizing a bit. I’m really not sure how to handle this behavior though . . . every other dog I’ve worked with has been a LOT easier . . . but like I said I don’t have tons of experience.
He’s definitely getting crated though.
You just brought him home today. His problem at the moment is not that he is untrained, it is that he is completely confused, fucked up, scared and turned around. You need to give him some leeway and have some patience for a little bit before worrying about training. He won’t be able to learn anything concrete until he has a chance to figure out what is going on.
Thanks Zipper . . . I def. can understand why he is scared and confused. He’s had three homes in two weeks, one of which was a shelter where he stayed in a little cage for God Knows How Long.
So what should I do in the interim while he’s adjusting? Like if I want to take him for a walk . . . if he won’t even come to me to put the leash on, what do I do? Right now he’s in another room kind of ignoring me.
TBH, I’m kind of scared to even approach him right now because of that snarl he just did. Luckily my friend who is way better than me with dogs is on his way over to help me out.
The scratching can be a sign of anxiety, which would make sense, since he is in yet another new environment. The urination may be the opposite of defiance - submissive urination in response to be yelled at and grabbed. Remember, he is communicating in canine language - don’t take it personally.
He probably feels unsure and scared at the moment. Try redirection to other activities - something he can chew to relieve stress, for instance, and work with him calmly. Hot dog is a good suggestion. I’ve also used cut up chicken, liver treats, and lamb lung.
Pretend he’s a puppy. That’s your ground rule for now. He knows nothing. Do not use negative physical reinforcement (you got a very strong reaction to that - I’d really advise not repeating it).
Puppy ground rules.
- Confined areas until he’s housebroken and trustworthy. I’d suggest he’s with you at all times. “Puppy” proof the area or make sure he’s got an approved toy you can quickly give him if he starts digging or chewing.
- Regular potty breaks with praise for performing where he should. He goes out for potty as soon as you wake up in the morning and right before bed time. A few more times during the day if possible.
- Feed him twice a day (I’m not sure how big he is, but let’s go with this). Don’t leave food down. He eats after you at breakfast and dinner. He goes out to the yard immediately after he eats.
- Spend as much time with him as you can. If he can sleep in your room, that’s a great way to get some quality time in.
- Put an old t-shirt that you’ve worn in his crate.
- Experiment and find some kind of treat that he does respond to. Low key dogs are sometimes tricky, just because they are so mellow that they don’t motivate as quickly. Positive feedback (high happy voice, treats when you find what he likes, walks) for anything that he’s got right. Recognizing his name? (feel free to change it to something you like, btw), following you around the house (you’re awesome - he should totally get props for that), going to the bathroom outside (party time!)
Remember, like a puppy, he needs to earn his privileges (more freedom around the house) and you can’t expect him to get it right first thing. Concentrate on the important stuff (reinforcing your awesomeness and the housebreaking) before you sweat things like the leash pulling.
Folks are right. He’s had a lot going on. People have kind of been jerks lately. It may or may not work out, but don’t stress it. As far as you’re concerned, he’s a puppy. Just take these few days to get to know him and then see what you think. You’ll both be happier if you focus on having fun together and don’t sweat getting it perfect.
I had my friend, who has trained several dogs, come over and meet him. He noted that he’s very passive/submissive, but also that he seems a little disengaged. Initially we were maybe worried that he’s deaf. Outside we tried making several loud noises and he didn’t respond at all, although at home when I clapped loudly he startled. But for example when we came into the apartment he was lying down looking away from the door, and made absolutely no response to our entry.
So should I crate him tonight or not? I have to crate him tomorrow when I go to work (will have dogwalker come by). So far he seems unthrilled with his crate. He does very much like to go under the dinner table and lie down which is also sort of “den-like.”
Try not crating him, but have him sleep in your room. Do you have an old blanket for him to sleep on? I would agree he sounds disengaged; probably also worried or scared. Give him a few days to see if a lot of “you time” will help with that. He has no way of knowing whether you’re just going to disappear too. It may take time for you to get his trust.
Be sure to brief the dog walker, so they know what he’s like and what your plan is. I would also have a plan b ready, just in case they can’t get him back in the crate… bathroom maybe?
Sunny Daze, thanks so much for your responses. I am happy to have him sleep with me tonight, and can stick a towel on the floor for him to sleep on. I unfortunately don’t have an old blanket.
I would hate to crate him for the first time tomorrow and disappear. What if I just kept him in the bathroom the whole time?
Sorry I couldn’t get back to you last night. I’m traveling and my Internet went “poof” for the night.
I think bathroom is fine for the day if you puppy proof it (cords or anything he shouldn’t chew out of reach). Put his towel in there and leave him his bowl of water.
I’m a lover of retired racing greyhounds, and we get our puppers as adults with no training of what it’s like to be a pet or live in a house. It takes patience and love. As someone mentioned, you need to give the dog time to get comfortable with his new surroundings and also to learn that you are his new provider. When I help with greyhound adoptions, I advise people to only focus on house manners for the first month or three, depending on the dog. (House manners: staying off the kitchen counters, don’t bolt out the door, wait for his food to be put down, no jumping on people, etc.)
After about that time, you’ll notice that the dog engages with you more, you’ll get more direct eye contact. If you try to do basic obedience before the dog is ready to engage with you, you’ll get very frustrated. I’ve noticed that with my dogs, suddenly one day when I get the treats out of the pantry they will plop down on the floor and watch me intently with eager eyes. That’s when they’re ready to learn things like sit, stay, and other tricks.
One more thing I want to say about that initial period waiting for him to adjust to his new home: forget everything you may have learned about dominance or alpha theory. As pack leader, your job is to provide and protect. Your dog needs to learn that you will reliably provide for his needs, that you are a calm and confident protector and that he can rely on you. That will make him bond to you faster than anything in the world.
Thanks so much guys. We had an incredibly stressful morning. He got in a little fight last night with a friends dog and his eye was infected requiring an emergency trip to the vet. Thank God his eye should be okay but I am sure this is just making him more stressed. He will need a cone for a couple of days.
So another question: what should I do if he just plants and refuses to walk or go anywhere, even with the leash on?
IMHO if he is at least managing to go outside and get his business done, don’t make him walk if he’s not into it right now.
He LOVES walks so I am thankful for at least that. I asked the vet to formally assess his hearing as well. Today while we were waiting for the vet he refused to get out of my car so I just sat there petting/cuddling him for like twenty mins, which I think was good for both of us. I was probably trying too hard to train him and be alpha.
Yep. Focus on the fun stuff right now and housebreaking. Don’t sweat the rest of it. I’m glad just sitting there seemed to help.
I hope his luck starts going a little better. Sounds like today was rough!
Thanks so much for all your help guys.
An update: Sammy is doing as well as can be expected. He does not like the Cone of Shame but is adjusting to it. I’m really proud of how quickly he figured out how to navigate and got some of his old confidence back.
Question: If he can eat with the cone on . . . do I need to take it off? I’ve been cleaning it with a soft cloth but does he psychologically need it to come off a few times a day? Just because I think putting it back on would be a nightmare.