When food is used in training and given correctly, you get a dog who not only obeys the command but is happy to follow the command. You start by rewarding desired behavior with treats and establishing a strong leader-follower relationship. Eventually, the dog will respond without a treat because he has been appropriately reinforced and respects you as the leader. You can teach an old dog new tricks from adolescence and beyond, however, more time and patience are required. It s always easier to train a young puppy.
Some older dogs can have behavior problems so engrained that they simply become management cases.
Each dog learns at his or her own rate. They are all individuals like we are, and some breed traits can make training more difficult. With all dogs, it is important to be patient and consistent. Dogs can be categorized into two main groups. Dogs who are bred to work closely with humans, and those bred to work independently.