All dogs need ground rules setting, regardless of the proposed use of those ground rules. In the case of obedience training you need to establish who is in charge and teach your dog to listen to your commands. In the case of potty training dog it is not only to keep your home looking and smelling clean but it also benefits the dog as well. Dogs are not messy animals by nature and they would much rather mess outside than where they sit and eat. It is usually necessity or bad training that leads to a dog messing in the house instead of the yard.
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Older dogs are more common today than ever before due to better vaccines, better nutrition, and better health care; however, despite these advantages, older dogs have specific needs that must be met to insure continued health. As a dog ages he begins to experience hearing, vision, and dental problems.
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Dogs never stop learning and even a mature dog can be trained using the same obedience training techniques as those used on a pup. Sure, a puppy may be more controllable and their minds are easier to shape, but there are some benefits to training an adult dog, such as less rambunctious behavior and more of an interest in pleasing you than in playing.
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Different breeds of dogs age at different rates. A large breed such as a Great Dane or Newfoundland will reach old age sooner than smaller breeds like Chihuahuas or Toy Poodles. Life spans range from 7 to 15 years, with each year equivalent to 6 or 7 human years. Despite whatever breed your dog may be, you will have to watch them closely and take him on regular visits to the vet to determine where he is in his life cycle and what special needs, if any, are required at each stage.
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