Is it too late to train 7 year old dog?

[Crazydaisy11]

We have a 7 year old golden retriever. We got him as a 4 year old. Hes a lovely dog but we haven't trained him very well. He will sit,go down and wait BUT only if there are no distractions. If we are outside and people walk past, someone on a bike or van drives past he chases and bounces up and down. He wont come back when we call him. Hes great within the garden with no other distractions. Is it too late to correct this? Id love to feel confident with him being off the lead and that he would come back when called!
He also sleeps in the utility room and can come in and out whenever he likes but he wont come into any other part of the house. The floor is tiled and unless he has his blanket down he wont walk on it. Is this unusual? Should I just leave him where he is happy to be?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

You can train him, but it will take a lot more work than if he had been trained as a puppy or if you had started when you got him. As it is both you and he will have to unlearn a lot of habits.

Pippa Mattinson's book 'Total Recall' has a whole chapter on training delinquent dogs to come back to you. The book also contains advice about proofing past distractions. It's where I would start.

You can also work on making yourself more exciting when out and about. Take treats and a ball and play with him, but don't let him off where he'll have the opportunity to chase, because every time he does that he's reinforcing his belief that a) it's fun and b) he's allowed to. A long line might help you here.

Good luck!

[shopsalot]

I don't think it's too late - they're intelligent dogs, it will just take time, lots of training and consistency in training.

Maybe worth getting a dog trainer after lockdown? The dog not walking on tiles is a bit odd - I would definitely get some advice from a behaviourist. They do love being with people so a shame if he can't come into the rest of house with everyone else.

I've got a golden retriever in mid teenage phase, also have the Total Recall book and hoping it will work. Unfortunately I didn't get it when he was very young so may need to skip to the delinquent chapters!

[Scattyhattie]

Older dogs can be trained it just requires right motivation and consistancy from owner. Finding a good trainer can be trickier, lot of chaff out there.

Tile/wood floors can be slippy and difficult for dog to get grip on especially breeds that have more hairy paws so lose confidence. They may not visually look to slip or fall unless going at speed but the micro slips do cause damage and discomfort especially if already have some arthritis going on. Easiest solution is to chuck a runner/rug down

[muckandnettles]

There are some great Youtube videos from trainers and I saw some today about this problem of lead walking and recall with older dogs addressed by Nigel Reid The Dogguardian, that would be good for a starter.

[shittingmysel]

I know a dog who won't walk on tiles perfectly behaved in all other aspects just doesn't like the tiny bit of tile between the runner and the doorway. She will walk over it but has to be encouraged heavily to do it.

[Crazydaisy11]

I didn't think of putting a runner down thanks will try it