The popular saying “You can't teach an old dog new tricks” couldn't be more wrong. You can teach an old or young dog new tricks. January is National Train Your Dog Month, so what better time to brush up on Fido's tricks that he already knows or teach him some new ones!
Dogs, like people, learn though repetition. The best plan is to set aside 10-15 minutes a day to teach your dog a trick or two. If you have children that are old enough to do this, January might be a good month for them train the dog. When it's cold, neither kids nor pets like to be outside, so training will keep both of them occupied.
Encouragement works well with small training treats or small pieces of Fido's favorite food. Stick with one word commands like “Sit”, “Down” or “Stay” for simple obedience. If your dog is athletic, work on teaching him to jump over something like a stick or even through a hula hoop.
It's fun to record Fido's finished product of tricks and post to his fans on
social media. Always make training a positive experience for your pets. In the end, they love the time spent together and extra stimulation to his brain and body will help extend his quality of life. If you have questions for a veterinarian in Gainesville, please call us! Newberry Animal Hospital Group-Taking Care of Your Friend For Life