Can I train an "old" dog?

[raincabin]

I have taken on a 1.5 micro bully from a family member who can no longer have him.

Whilst he was well fed, loved etc., he is not trained.

It seems he is mostly clean if I am around him but will pee and poop if even left alone for five minutes and he will sometimes do this in front of me.

He also refuses to walk on a leaf and can't sit etc.

Is he too old to train now that he's out of the puppy stage?

Well you can try. I've taught my dog things beyond being a puppy.
The lack of toilet training is really hard to crack though. What have you tried so far?

We adopted our first dog at 18 months who was apparently unable to be toilet trained. It took one week. It was hard work (out every 30 mins) but worth it. She died 20 years ago and I still miss her.

My last dog was still learning new things well into her teens. You absolutely can. Dogs can learn at any age and actually they learn a lot of things better when they are more mature with better self control.

Get this book from Amazon, it does what it says on the tin.

The secret to train them is routine, the fact that he is older makes it a bit easier actually, as they are no longer as easily distracted.

The best thing of the book is that it provides you with different schedules that adapt to the needs of the dog age and the family so it really works.

I have potty trained 4 dogs with it, including two rescues, one of them with severe behaviour difficulties, so I would say that if you follow the instructions closely your dog will stop soiling the house in a week but… you need to clean well the areas he has soiled already otherwise, he will go back to them.

He's incredibly young still. Of course he can be taught but a lot of what you describe isn't really connected to training - it's lack of socialisation and anxiety.

Peeing and pooing when you're not around indicates separation anxiety which is a real bugger to train dogs out of. It can be done but I'm afraid to say it won't be easy.

The walking on a lead thing - again, that's something he should have been socialised to as a puppy. So lots of positive reinforcement - start with showing the lead, then clipping it on and off, then having it trailing in the house, then use in the garden etc. before trying to take him on walks.

No dog is every beyond training.

on the house training I would look at 2 separate issues here. 1) the training not to toilet inside- take out regularly and learn to spot the signs when they are going to go and bustle them outside quickly and priase. Clean any accidents inside with and enzymatic cleaner. 2) get the dog used to being left, flit in and out for short periods, the fact they are toileting after 5 minutes suggests to me anxiety over being left alone, so needs to be worked on separately.

They are never too old.
Lots of positive reinforcement.
What's his problem with the lead? Will he not leave the house or doesn't like it around his neck? We use a harness which I much prefer. Also with the recent fireworks our dog won't go for a walk in the dark. So we go tougher to make him feel safer and go in the daylight.

I got mine at about the same age as yours. He was toilet trained, but that was as far as the training went - even 'sit' hadn't been taught, for instance, and his lead manners were atrocious.

He picked up all the puppy training stuff fine. It's actually a really good way to bond with them - they learn that interacting with you is fun and treats are involved.

Other issues he has (e.g. around reactivity) have proved rather more intractable, but you don't mention those.

Do get good lifetime pet insurance cover with a high max amount they'll pay out - a lot of these pocket bullies are absolutely riddled with health issues resulting from poor breeding.