Train Older Labradors: The first thing that comes to mind when we think about dog training is that we often associate it with puppies. Nevertheless, training is a process that can (and should be) carried out throughout the dog’s entire lifetime. There is no age limit for Labrador retrievers when it comes to learning. You can actually train an adult Labrador retriever more easily than a puppy! The reason for this is that a dog that is an adult can demonstrate a high degree of self-control. There is no question that people who are wondering whether or not they can train an older Labrador – that is a resounding yes!
A Labrador that is over ten years of age can absolutely be trained. While it is best to train Labrador retrievers when they are still young, adults can also be trained just as well. When it comes to training older Labs, the techniques used are not all that different from how puppies are trained. Nevertheless, challenges may arise, but this shouldn’t be a deterrent.t deter you from participating.
The good news is that now that you know you can train an older Labrador, let’s spend a few minutes talking about why it’s important to train an older dog. As well as sharing some tips on how to overcome some of the challenges you might encounter, I will also discuss the challenges you may face. It is time to get started!
Train Older Labradors
We should take a moment to stop and think about why we train our dogs in the first place. Most of the time, it stems from a few basic reasons like the following:
- We need to condition them to behave in a specific way.
- Ideally, we would like to avoid any unpleasant or inconvenient outcomes that might result from their natural behavior.
- To achieve this, there must be authority or control.
What then becomes the question – are there any differences in behavior for an older Labrador? The need to train them is just as prevalent as it is with a puppy, so you will need to train them too. In other words, if you had any part of you that hoped that training was not necessary, forget it.
Training older labradors is challenging
As we all know the old saying goes, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and there’s a reason for that as well. This statement is not true in all cases. The fact of the matter is, however, that you may have to overcome some roadblocks along the way.
Some roadblocks are not present with younger Labs, but other roadblocks are. Consider, for example, the case of an older Labrador who has spent its entire life being trained to roam freely. In case crates are your preferred method of training your puppy, you may need to spend more time than a puppy that is not equipped with the proper knowledge.
The good news is that there is a tradeoff associated with this. Depending on the situation, you may be able to train an older dog easier than a puppy in some cases! Because older dogs are more mature than puppies, they may be easier to train. Usually, this means that they have a greater level of focus. The dogs tend to take their training more seriously, and they can learn new things much faster than puppies.
Patience is the key to success
There will be a period of adjustment that you will have to allow for when you take home an older adult Labrador for the first time. Specifically, she will need time to adjust to the following:
- You
- Any other pets
- The dog’s new home
Their new environment can make them extremely anxious depending on the extent to which it differs from what they are used to. Because of this, we must be realistic and empathetic towards them. The adjustment period for a Labrador to a new home can be several weeks for an older dog.
Challenges overcome
Our pets can be trained and co-existed in a variety of ways through different methods. I am a firm believer that there is no “right” way to do anything, and every situation is different. What I am going to share with you is simply what I have found to be the most effective, and what my research has led me to conclude.
Create your own lab, but as an olive branch
It has always been my experience that crate training is one of the most effective methods of training. Dogs such as the Labrador Retriever are relatively easy to train in a crate. As a result, I believe it is best to begin crate training as soon as possible, as it can begin to establish a “safe space” for them in this new environment.
It is important to approach crate training from this mentality first. As a metaphor, you could compare it to showing up at a party where you barely know any of the guests. However, as soon as you spot a familiar face, you feel a sense of relief begin to set in. As soon as you have that, the possibilities of how the rest of your night can unfold are endless!
We can expand the purpose of the crate from this point onwards. It is at this point that the associations start to grow, and the habit-forming begins.
Challenges on the physical side
Depending on the age of the Labrador, there could be physical limitations that will pose challenges during the training process. It is important to take that into account from the very beginning of the training process. It is important to manage the expectations of owners.
It is known that Labradors are predisposed to several conditions that could affect training in the future. Some examples of such conditions include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Sensory loss – vision, hearing
Hip dysplasia
It may not be possible for your Lab to perform some of the more common “tricks” with hip dysplasia because it may be too painful. This may not be the most important consideration here; however, it is important to be aware of this limitation. It may affect the ability to respond and move quickly if the limitation is severe enough.
Therefore, they might not be able to perform other tasks that can be taught to them at the same time. As an example, an animal may respond quickly when called, act as a watchdog, or play fetch with the owner.
Sensory limitations
Your dog’s age influences the overall quality of their ability to hear and see, as both are affected by age.
The hearing of the Lab can be of particular concern since they are frequently afflicted by chronic ear infections. Due to their floppy ears, this can be a problem. Moisture and bacteria can be trapped, which can lead to long-term damage.m damage to the structure.
When a person loses sight or hearing, it can make the training process a challenge. However, Labrador dogs are quite resilient when it comes to training. The majority of the time, they can overcome these obstacles.
Before bringing home an older Labrador, it is important to look into all of these potential challenges. Many adoption agencies have in-house veterinarians on hand to provide you with as much information about your Lab’s health as possible.
An older Labrador may benefit from online training
You can take an online training course as an alternative to on-site training. If you want your Labrador to be safe in any situation, I recommend taking an online course.
Advantages in terms of cost
The cost of dog training online is significantly less expensive than the cost of dog training in a traditional setting. In addition to being a certified and knowledgeable trainer, it includes hours of training modules. Not only that, but you can also go back at any time and review the videos.
Provides convenience
I think there is something to be said for the flexibility of being able to attend formal training at a time that is convenient for you. We all lead busy lives and things keep changing. In the modern era, flexibility is no longer an option, it has become a necessity. This is one of the main benefits of online training over traditional classroom training.
Aspects of perception
Using the online solution can be particularly useful when it comes to training Older Labradors. When it comes to misbehaving dogs, there are often feelings of guilt or embarrassment experienced by many dog owners.
If the dog is older, there may be less tolerance than there would be for a puppy, and it is a situation that is amplified when the dog is older.
Reasons relating to the behavior
Sometimes, older Labradors are adopted because their owners are no longer able to take care of them. In most cases, this is because they were suffering from behavioral problems they couldn’t resolve.
The first thing that you need to decide is whether you want to pursue in-person training if there are behavioral issues at the moment. A better approach is to make headway at home first and then to go to the office if necessary.
Issues related to health
The fact that you are concerned about any health concerns is another reason why you might want to consider online training. The same applies to both you and your dog. Online training could help you stay safe in the comfort of your own home.
Conclusions
To successfully train an older Labrador, you must understand that the challenges you will face will be different than when you were training a puppy. I believe that every situation is different, and this is why we must be patient and empathic. Establishing a comfortable environment is key, and the timeline may be longer than anticipated. Online training solutions can be an excellent way to facilitate the training process for all Labradors, but older ones in particular!
How do you train an old Labrador?
Do Labs get calmer with age?
Yes, Labradors will usually begin to transition out of the puppy phase around two years old. They still do remain very active when it is time to play outside, but you should notice a much calmer temperament indoors.
Is training older dogs harder?
In fact, adult dogs can sometimes be easier to train than puppies because they have a longer attention span and more self control. Puppies can sometimes pick things up faster than older dogs, and older dogs can be a little more set in their ways, but you can absolutely train a dog of any age.
Can you train a 7 year old lab?
Fortunately, Labradors can learn new things at any age. So for anyone wondering if you can train an older Labrador – it is a resounding yes! You absolutely can train an older Labrador. While it is best to train Labs while they are young, adult Labs are just as capable of being trained.
Can you train a 4 year old lab?
It is perfectly possible to train an older dog, there are masses of people who take on difficult rescue dogs with seriously bad behaviour problems and turn them around. For every subsequent year they are with you, the Lab should age five human years.