Adult Dog Training and What To Expect

Your dog has finally reached its adulthood and this means that the period of training, adjusting, socializing and more training have come to a stopping point.

This is the period when you can really appreciate your dog’s companionship, friendship and even help around the house (depending on its level of training). The point is, you don’t have to babysit your dog anymore. It is the stage in your dog’s life where it can walk beside you off leash, sit and watch you wash your car, maybe even hold the hose for you, or just sit quietly with you in in the backyard while you read a book.

However, training should not stop just because your dog has reached adulthood. A good formula for keeping your dog’s body healthy and its mind sharp throughout its adult years is to have 3 training sessions a week. The training does not have to be laborious, nor does it have to take long. Take about 10 to 15 minutes per session and training can be about practicing and/or improving skills that your dog has already learned.

There are several benefits in continuing training on a regular basis with your adult dog.

1. Regular training keeps its mind alert and active.
2. It keeps its body strong and in shape.
3. It gives refresher courses to different commands and tricks that it had already acquired.
4. It keeps your dog aware of the rules.
5. It prevents boredom.
6. It develops great team work between you both.
7. Best of all, it will deepen the bond that the two of you have together. If your dog remains active throughout the whole aspect of its life (physical, mental, social), then it will continue to play an active role in your life, be a team player and enable you to share wonderful times together.

Physical Needs Of An Adult Dog

The physical needs of your dog peak during its developmental adolescent stage. Once it passes the adolescent stage and reaches adulthood, your dog’s physical needs will only require the exercise that its body needs to stay healthy.

As an adult dog, the amount of exercise that its body requires will depend on its size, breed and personality. Continue with regular walks and occasional runs. A game of ball should also be on your list, as well as swimming if your dog likes being in the water. If you have a large and/or energetic dog, you may have to do more than this. If you have a small and/or less active dog, you will still need to give it exercise. You just have to tame it down, depending on its level of endurance.