You may happen to be one of the wonderful and amazing pet owners that picked out your new family member from a shelter. This is so wonderful since shelters often have lots of older dogs. Older dogs are usually a lot more calm and are able to pay attention better than puppies. For this reason, older dogs are often a bit easier to train than puppies. The training itself, however, is best when you follow tried and true training methods.
Meaning, the training methodology itself really should work no matter what age your dog happens to be. With an older dog, your approach might be slightly different in that you want to be sure your dog can hear you well and can see you well enough, otherwise, you simply need to be nice and patient.
Crate Training Older Dogs
First, have your new dog tire out by exercising him outdoors. Even if you have a fenced-in yard, it’s still better to keep him (or her) on a leash when you first bring him home. Being outdoors also allows your dog to go potty before he enters his crate.
Crate Train Immediately
Although some people may think sticking a dog in a crate is mean, it’s actually good for not only you and your house, but for the dog as well. A crate is a safe haven where your dog will grow to be secure, knowing this is his “room.” Realize dogs are den creatures that naturally gravitate to crate-like areas in nature. (Read more here)
Always prepare a crate before you even bring your new dog home. It should have a washable dog pad for the bottom and perhaps a towel and a nice soft towel. You can entice the dog into the crate with a treat. When he goes in, be sure to praise him lavishly and with lots of positive wording. You do not want to close the door after the dog goes in, but instead allow him or her to go in or out freely.
Keeping a positive attitude and being patient will really go a long way here. Repeat this training exercise for a maximum of 5 times. This is just often enough that your dog will get the idea but not enough to tire him or her out. Keeping their attention really is half the battle!