A 1 year old dog is considered to be past puppyhood and now into adulthood. He will have a longer attention span and, in fact, will be able to learn more advanced behavioral training.
So, it is never too late to train a 1 year old dog.
From a puppy to a young adult, he has learned so much about the world. He is now more confident than he was at a younger age, and is able to follow commands more easily.
There is certainly some training that is easier for younger dogs (those that reach 1-year-old or more), than when they are still a puppy.
This is because puppies aren’t ready to learn more complex commands as an adult dog.
If you follow a regular training routine, you will see positive results in the coming months.
The following tips will help you to train your 1 year old dog.
How To Train Your 1 Year Old Dog
Remember, a 1-year-old dog has just “step” into his adulthood, and you must train him with patience and discipline.
He is still learning his own personality, and if you want him to become a well-trained dog, then you must train him properly.
Here are some tips on how to train a 1-year-old dog:
Be Consistent
When it comes to training your dog, consistency is the key to success.
This means that you should always keep a regular training schedule so that your dog will be mentally prepared for his training.
Keep in mind that dogs do not like “surprises” and will prefer a regular routine.
This is also why a dog will feel comfortable when he knows when he will have his meal or go for his play.
A routine schedule is the way to go!
Do Not Overtrain
It is easy to get carried away when it comes to training your dog.
But the most important thing you need to realize is that you have to make sure that you are not overtraining him.
Keep the training session to less than 30 minutes or shorter if the training is going to be physical or mentally exhausting.
A dog’s attention span is anywhere from five to thirty minutes and depends on a variety of factors, including breed, age, temperament, and the type of stimulation training or exercise that the dog is exposed to.
For example, hunting dogs such as German Shepherd and Labrador Retrievers that have been deployed for specific purposes (such as tracking) tend to have longer attention spans than other breeds of dogs.
These dogs are naturally able to pay attention for a longer period of time.
The length of a dog’s attention also depends on what the dog is trying to do.
For example, if a dog is working on some obedience exercise, such as sitting or staying, the dog will likely have a much shorter attention span.
Dogs usually have a longer attention span when they are engaged in something they know they are good at, such as finding hidden treats, since they are naturally born with a strong sense of smell.
Always Use Positive Reinforcement
It is very important to reinforce your dog’s good behavior with praise and treats during the obedience training.
For instance, if your dog learns to sit on command, you can give him a treat or praise when he does so. Praise and treats will help your dog know that he has done something right.
Your dog needs to learn to associate praise and treats with doing what you have asked him to do.
Do not ever use harsh language or punishment on your dog during the training as that will only make him afraid of you.
Give your dog plenty of praise and rewards throughout the training session.
You need to praise him for every little accomplishment he makes and be firm and consistent in your training.
By using positive reinforcement along with a firm and calm voice in your training, you can easily train your dog in no time.
Be Firm And Patient
For stubborn dog breeds such as Akita, Beagle and Chihuahua, it takes more effort and patience to make them learn and be willing to follow your commands.
It’s not that they are “stupid”, it’s just their natural instinct not to follow instruction.
They know exactly what they are supposed to do, but they refuse to do it. So, if your dog belongs to these breeds, you need to spend more time working with them on the training.
You will also need to be strict, so that your dog will respect you and will follow your commands. That is, make him know that you mean what you say, and he has to follow it obediently.
The best approach is to make your dog see you as his pack leader and, once you have accomplished it, you will have a good, loyal and obedient dog for life.
Make The Training Fun
Dogs are naturally drawn to toys and by playing games with your dog, this makes him more interested in your training. Once he is comfortable with the game, moves on to more formal training.
The way to do it would be to start by getting him to play with a toy before you begin training. Playing fetch or Frisbee can be a good way to start, especially if your dog is a bit of a couch potato and can get bored easily.
You want something fun for your dog to do while you are training him. If he gets bored, he will stop learning. Always start with a fun activity and then transition to training by using a reward such as food or praise.
I would also recommend that you conduct the training in an environment that he is familiar with, so that he will feel at ease and can devote his full attention to the training.
Is It Ever Too Late To Start Training A Dog?
If you are thinking of training an older dog or even a dog in its early years, it is definitely never too late.
Depending on the dog’s age and personality (breeds), it might not be as easy as you think, and you will need more patience than you had anticipated.
If the dog is in the puppy stage, then you will have to start from the very beginning. You will have to teach him the basic obedience commands and be consistent with the training.
And if your dog is at his adult age, he may have already learned all the basics of commands, and you should focus on teaching him more advanced concepts such as “Leave It”, “Touch”, “Drop It” and tricks.
Just like humans, where we learn as we live, training for dogs goes on throughout their lives as well.
This is because dogs are social animals that depend on learning and training for them to know how to behave and react in an ever-changing world around them.
Conclusion
The earliest that you can begin formal dog training is around 6 months old. By that time, your dog should be able to follow more commands.
So it is certainly not too late to train your dog when he is 1 years old.
Having said that, it is recommended to start dog training at an early age, as it will help to prevent any behavioral issues.
In fact, training a puppy can be done at any time after he is 8 weeks old. Puppies usually start to learn BASIC obedience commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “down” around this time.