I have German Shepherd Dogs. I have 3 that were over a year old when I bought them. Unfortunately, they have had no training. I would really like to train them but I am concerned about their age, are they too old to start training now?
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I have German Shepherd Dogs. I have 3 that were over a year old when I bought them. Unfortunately, they have had no training. I would really like to train them but I am concerned about their age, are they too old to start training now?
Sheps are pretty smart and should be able to go through basic without any trouble at that age. They just still need the ground work for whatever help you can give them.
A year or so isn't too old. It will go a little slower, but I have seen many dogs that old do just fine. Find a good class or book and get started. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete
I am a strong believer in early obedience training. My puppies get their first lesson in heeling on the way out of the kennel the day I pick them up at 7 weeks. You didn't have that chance, but should do fine.
Its never too late to get in some obedience training. All the dogs I've taken in over the years have been of all different ages from a couple weeks to 8 years and have excelled in every area. Might even be good that they're a little older, at least they may not be as distracted with all the stuff a smaller puppy would
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