Pet Articles

Adult Dog Training – What To Expect From Your Dog As He Reaches His Adult Years

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

This is the time where you can really appreciate his companionship, his friendship, and even his help around the house (depending on his level of training). The point is, is you don't have to baby sit him anymore. Your dog is now at the stage where he can walk alongside you off the lead, sit and watch you wash your car, maybe even hold the hose for you, or just sit quietly with you in the garden while you read a book.

However, training should not stop just because your dog has become and adult. A good formula for keeping your dog's body healthy and his mind sharp throughout his adult years is to have three training sessions a week. The training does not have to be laborious or take very long.  It only needs about 10 to 15 minutes per session, and training can be about practising and/or improving skills that he has already learned.

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

1. Regular training keeps his mind alert and active.
2. It keeps his body strong and in good condition.
3. It refreshes the different commands and tricks that he has already acquired.
4. It reminds him of the rules that you have enforced for him.
5. It prevents boredom.
6. It develops great team work between you both.
7. And best of all, it will deepen the bond between you and your dog. If he enjoys all aspects of his life (physical, mental and social), then he will continue to play an active role in your life, be a team player, and you'll be able to share wonderful times together.

Physical Needs Of An Adult Dog

The physical needs of your dog peak during his developmental adolescent stage. But once he reaches adulthood, his physical needs will reach a point where there will be no significant change to the amount of exercise that his body needs to stay healthy.

As an adult dog, the amount of exercise that his body requires will depend on his size, breed, and personality type. Continue with the regular walks and occasional runs. A game of ball should also be on your list, and swimming is great exercise if your dog likes being in the water. If you have a large and/or energetic dog, you may have to do more than those listed above. If you have a small and/or less active dog, he will still need exercise. You'll just have to adapt it to his level of endurance.