How to Train Your 12-Year-Old Cocker Spainel

It's never too late to train your dog, even if it happens to be a 12-year-old cocker spaniel. This breed is intelligent and eager to learn, and these qualities carry over into old age. Training an older dog is a good way to improve its quality of life, because aging can limit your dog's physical range and training activities can provide mental stimulation. This continued training into old age will keep your cocker spaniel focused on you and keep your bond just as strong as ever.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Dog toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find your cocker's favorite treat or toy. In its old age, your dog will need a special reward to provide enough motivation to learn. Experiment with different snacks until you find something that keeps your old friend's attention.

    • 2

      Keep training sessions short, because older dogs tire more easily. If the training session goes on for too long, your dog may lose interest or run out of energy.

    • 3

      Practice new lessons frequently. A 12-year-old cocker spaniel may have memory impairment, so practicing often throughout the day will refresh the lesson in your dog's mind.

    • 4

      Be gentle and patient with your dog. A 12-year-old cocker spaniel is 72 in human years. Don't yell at your dog or punish it for not understanding. Doing so will make your dog fear you, and it will not enjoy the training sessions.

    • 5

      Limit the types of behaviors you are training based on your cocker spaniel's physical condition. Teaching your 12-year-old to "roll over" or "dance" might be painful on the dog's back or hips, making it resistant to training or even prone to injuring itself.