Behaviour and training | PETS
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http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August 57
PATS, TREATS
OR PLAYTIME?
Dogs are special, loving pets that share a
unique bond with the owners who care for
them. The real trick for training is to learn
what motivates your dog, whether that is
food treats, lots of pats and cuddles, verbal
praise or ball play.
Not sure what will motive your older
adopted pet? Steve suggests off ering your dog
a range of rewards. “Very quickly you’ll discover
if the dog is motivated by a ball or a particular
food reward, for example,” he says.
When you start out teaching new things,
always off er a reward within seconds of the
dog having completed the task or trick. Timing
really is everything. “I fi nd older dogs respond
well to food rewards, like chicken or cabanossi
— and only off er the reward, whatever it is,
during those training sessions,” Steve says.KNOWING A SENIOR
PET’S LIMITATIONS
Older dogs can have painful joints from
arthritis. They may be stiff , sore and not as
agile as they once were. So, when teaching
your older dog, activities should be tailored to
their comfort levels and physical capabilities.
For example, your older pooch might not
be up for agility training, but Steve says he
could enjoy learning new tricks that are less
physically taxing. “I’d suggest things like
teaching a dog to walk backwards, crossing
their paws in front, even balancing food treats
on their nose,” he says. These tricks can be lots
of fun for both you and your pet.
Senior pets can also experience anxiety.
Your calm, cool and collected dog may
suddenly be afraid of storms, new experiences
or places he hasn’t been before. If your dog
is becoming distressed, always have a safe
place where she can go in peace and comfort,
whether that is under a chair or in a crate if
they have one, and leave her alone for a while.
Chew toys can also help calm an anxious
pet, Steve adds. “The chewing motion releases
the dog’s feel-good chemical in the brain,
serotonin, which can calm a stressed pet.”Unlearning Unlearning
naughty naughty
behavioursbehaviours
If your older dog is getting up to
mischief by digging holes, chewing
or barking, it could just be that he
is bored. Make sure your dog gets
plenty of walks, gentle playtime and
has toys to keep him entertained
when you can’t be there.
If your older rescue dog is having
accidents indoors, Steve says it’s
important not to scold her or rub her
nose in it. “Ignore their behaviour and
reward the dog when they go to the
toilet outdoors,” he says. “If you draw
attention to it, or get angry at the
dog, they’ll just go to the toilet where
and when you can’t see them.”
With a rescue pet, often little is
known about their history. You may
not know how well a dog has been
exposed to diff erent types of people
and places. Steve’s advice is to avoid
off -leash dog parks and take your dog
for walks on a long lead until you can
gauge how well the dog has been
socialised. Dog obedience classes
may also be of benefi t for an older
adopted pet.TIP:
During playtime and when
teaching tricks, swap harder
chew toys for softer ones to
accommodate sensitive teeth.
A dog’s sense of smell can
diminish with age, too, so opt for
stronger-scented dog chews.TTIIPP
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