We have a dog that's pretty well set in his ways, he's about 8 months old and is the terror to end all terrors.

I tried to train him when he was little, because i have some experience with training dogs for the spca, but man this dog is outta control.

He's a high energy dog and doesnt get much exercise, he's my roommates dog, but i take him out as often as i can.

Do you think he can learn still?

4/14/2006 4:15:39 PM

yes.

4/14/2006 4:19:02 PM

my dog is 4, can she still learn?

4/14/2006 4:21:01 PM

Quote :

"He's a high energy dog and doesnt get much exercise"

this is not an obedience issue

4/14/2006 4:29:42 PM

number 1 if he is a high energy dog he MUST get exercise. Any dog needs exercise to begin with, but it needs to be tailored to each specific dog's needs (and breed). Furthermore, a tired dog is a happy dog. Add some super yummy treats in and you've got a dog that is at least a little easier to work with (and/or motivated). Try conducting your training sessions before meals (again, while the dog is hungry...and use some treat that he finds absolutely irresistable).

number 2 of course he can still learn! its never too late for classes but you need to make sure you are enrolling in the correct class. if he is as out of control as you say, you might need specialized one-on-one work...otherwise a basic obedience class might work just fine. Either way, he won't retain ANYTHING unless a lot of time is spent with him at home...just you and him. You can't slack off and expect to work a miracle. THe classes add distractions (to perfect his obedience), unless of course you are doing the professional one-on-one class.

4/14/2006 4:42:19 PM

never unless the dog is mentally handicapped

4/14/2006 5:11:38 PM

after you are sent to prison

4/14/2006 5:50:06 PM

Any dog can learn good behavior with exercise, boundaries and limitations....

4/14/2006 5:52:38 PM

We are in a similar situation right now. Thankfully, we are renting a house with a large fenced yard and moving this summer. I would talk to your roommate about taking rotations / coming home at various times to make sure he/she gets enough exercise.

4/14/2006 5:58:37 PM

My friends taught their dog to use their treadmill because their yard is too small for her. The dog LOVES it.

4/14/2006 7:33:02 PM

My dog was 9 months old and had no problem. He acutally did better than the younger dogs in the class. And let me tell you something, he was a DUUUMMMMBBBB mutt before PetsMart Classes.
Now he answers his name when called, sits, lays down, "settles" (lays down on side), does a few "funny tricks" (roll over, beg, shake, etc), walks well on a leash, does not jump, blah blah blah.

There was also a 5 year old dog in our class, he did well too. I'd have to say as long as you are willing to work with the dog, you can teach him

4/14/2006 8:56:26 PM

thanks guys. its hard to deal with the dog cause hes my roommates and he spoils the dog rotten. i mean he lets the dog go to the bathroom in the house.

i try and exercise the dog as much as i can, and train him, but he sure is devil possesed.

4/14/2006 9:26:14 PM

wow you're lucky. I have an 80lb English/American bulldog mix and she STILL has that puppy in her where she gets excited and pees all over and she jumps on EVERYONE. I mean, I'm 5'4" and she jumps higher than I am tall.

4/14/2006 9:28:36 PM

yeah he pisses on my bed daily. im getting tired of washing my sheets.

hes a lab/border collie mutt

4/14/2006 9:34:49 PM

only one solution

suspend and terminate his ass

4/14/2006 9:54:05 PM

My ex made a good bit of progress and I was 24... I even dried off b/f getting out of the shower and everything!

4/15/2006 3:07:51 AM

no offense but honestly i think the dog is reciprocating the treatment it gets

4/15/2006 5:19:39 AM

if a dog has dominance its going to take firm training to fix it, not brutal, but right from the start no means no. letting a dog have his way is basically letting him be the alpha dog, so yeah good luck with that!

4/15/2006 12:24:39 PM

It all depends on how well you keep up with the training. I adopted my dog at 7, had her for a year, and she's now trained to do all the fun stuff...sit, stay, lay down, beg, come etc. It just takes a lot of persistance

4/15/2006 12:49:34 PM

Quote :

"yeah he pisses on my bed daily. im getting tired of washing my sheets. hes a lab/border collie mutt"

they say you are supposed to rub the dogs nose in it so he knows it is wrong.
rub your roomates nose in it.

[Edited on April 15, 2006 at 12:58 PM. Reason : speeeelling]

4/15/2006 12:58:02 PM

first of all rubbing a dog's face in its messes won't fix anything...unless you catch and correct in the act, he won't know why you're yelling at him. you're right though...if anyone's nose should be put in the mess then it should be the roomie's for not supervising his dog. if the dog isn't house trained, then you can't let him out of your sight. persistance and CONSISTENCY are key...keep the dog crated when you aren't home until you trust him...when you are home, make sure someone is watching him at all times.

4/15/2006 2:16:36 PM

I just got a new dog today, an English Bull Terrier that will be two in November and I'll definitely take advantage of the PetsMart classes at work. She's still very energetic and being a bully breed, she will need firm, consistent discipline in order for her to be a good dog. Her previous mom wasn't as strict on her as she needed to be - she tries to pull a lot when you walk her. Make sure the people in your house understand and come to a shared conclusion about the discipline that you set upon the dog just so he won't get the wrong message about how to act while in the house. There are Trainers at your local petsmart that you can consult, as well as behaviorists at the Vet school that I'm sure you can email for advice.

4/15/2006 9:29:54 PM

My last three girlfriends have been working on me... I can almost put the seat down now....

4/16/2006 6:48:40 AM

^will you fucking give up on the "dawg" shit? It's annoying.

4/16/2006 9:12:16 AM