Pet World: Older dog, traumatized cat both need time to get used to new homes

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Sep 16, 2020

We recently adopted a 75 lb. lab mix. He is about 1-1/2 years old. We’ve always had puppies so not sure how to train an older dog. He doesn’t let us know he has to go out, so one accident so far. When we left the house, we left him alone without any restrictions. He was good the first time, but one time, he took food off our shelves. We now put him in a cage, which I hate. He is starting to bite at the plastic tray on bottom of cage. With commands like stay, he cowers and slinks away. I need him to stay, but I don’t want to scare him.

He is a lover and it breaks my heart that anyone was ever mean to him. We just want this pup to thrive and know he is home. Any suggestions?

–Laura, Newport, New York

Dear Laura,

The best way to train an older dog is to treat him like a puppy again. Take him outside to relieve himself after he wakes up, eats, or plays. Get him on a regular schedule of going out at specific times of the day, so he develops a routine. Watch for signs he needs to go out so you can learn his “tells.”

Training takes time and should be fun. Simply say his name and every time he looks at you, click (get a clicker) or say a reward word like “bingo,” and give him a treat. Do this several times a day at least 20 times each time. Then progress to “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” By the time you get to stay, he should understand the click or reward word means a treat, and “stay” will be a fun thing to do.

As far as leaving him alone, putting him in a kennel during this transition period is a good idea, but some dogs get stressed by the confinement. Spray the kennel with canine pheromones before you leave him or leave him in a room where he can’t get into much trouble. This is temporary until he is house-trained, obedience-trained and more comfortable in his new home.

========

(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)