Although some adult dogs might learn more slowly, it's never too late to teach an older dog to listen and obey. Some adult dogs might even learn better because they're less easily distracted than when they were puppies.
At 6-7 months, your puppy may be physically more like an adult dog, but they're still growing in all sorts of ways. They're exploring the world, themselves, and your boundaries, so it's a great time to add more training.
There's no such thing as a dog too old to train and with reward based training methods, you can really enrich their life. It's a common misconception that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Modern dog training methods are suitable for canine companions at any stage of their life.
8 Months Old
Now is the time to introduce crating; practice obedience skills; solve chewing and teething issues; and more. Why Is My Dog Better Behaved at Home? Help!
7 Month Old Puppy
Your puppy may have adopted some naughty behavior. Digging, chewing, shredding, and jumping are just a few pupular problems. If you haven't already, this is a great time to enroll in an obedience class. Attending a quality training program will help reinforce the fact that you are the boss.
At this age your pup should know all their basic commands, recognize their name, and have a firm grasp on their potty training, crate training, and social manners. Now's the time to stay consistent and keep practicing commands and training.
This is based on an average of two walks per day. For example, a four-month-old puppy can be walked for 20 minutes, twice a day, while a seven-month-old puppy can be walked for 35 minutes, twice a day.
Take your puppy outside frequently—at least every two hours—and immediately after they wake up, during and after playing, and after eating or drinking. Pick a bathroom spot outside, and always take your puppy (on a leash) to that spot.
Failure to properly train your dog could result in destructive behaviors. For example, they could become anxious and chew up your furniture when you're not around. Or they could also behave aggressively towards people or other pets.
As a result, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal behaviorists and many trainers now recommend that puppies (who do not have health problems) begin classes as early as 7-8 weeks.
If you're wondering when it's too late to train a dog, the answer is never! Training a dog as an adult can be beneficial in some ways — he may be less distractible and energetic than he was as a puppy.
By the time they're one year old, dogs should be making progress in learning of all the polite behaviors they will need for the rest of their lives.
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours). If possible, dogs older than 6 months should not be left alone for longer than 4 hours at a time.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
Although puppies are little bundles of energy, they usually sleep 18-20 hours a day.
Like humans, dogs go through a rebellious “teenager” phase (around 5 months to 18 months). During this time, they'll often test their owners, seeing what they can get away with. Being firm and consistent with your training will help establish boundaries.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
For most puppies, those frantic bursts of energy end between six months and a year. But you need to know some older dogs — especially high-energy breeds — can exhibit hyperactivity at any time but typically do so on days when they haven't gotten enough exercise.
For most, it will take between four to six months for your puppy to be fully reliable, but it will depend on their size, age and ability to learn. Some puppies can learn how to be toilet trained really quickly in only a few weeks, whereas for some dogs it may take longer and could be up to a year.
From there, McMillan explains his playful, careful, and kind approach to training the 7 Common Commands he teaches every dog: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.