Knowing how to train a 2 year old Dog can make or break their life with you.
An untrained young Dog is a nightmare to handle!
But…
Training a two-year-old Dog the right way will give you a life of comfort and happiness.
And these training tips will show you exactly how to get the dog of your dreams!
How To Train A 2 Year Old Dog The Right Way
Training a young Dog can become difficult if not handled in the right way.
Stay away from:
- harsh reprimands
- physical punishment
- intimidation
They need to know you are a fair leader who has their best interest at heart!
But there’s a lot more to know to train them.
Let’s talk about a 2-year old’s Dog behavior so you’re more prepared to train them.
2 Year Old Dog Behavior
At two years old your new Dog probably still has some of their puppy behaviors to deal with.
They are boisterous and highly energetic dogs that need plenty of training and to be shown the proper way to live in a human world.
Consider your two year old Dog equivalent to a teenager that is going through adolescence. Because your dog is at the age where sexual maturity is still taking place, their hormones are raging uncontrollably.
Male and Female Behavior
Male 2 year old Dog behavior may include sexual gestures such as mounting and males may begin to mark (urinate) on their territory or fight with male dogs as a show of dominance.
Female Dogs will enter their first estrus period around two years old. They may begin to escape their yard or dart out the door seeking a mate.
While your dog looks 98% full grown, their behavior is still turbulent and in a transitional phase from a rebellious teenager to a more stable, mature adult.
During this time your Dog may become unpredictable, seemingly uncontrollable, and hard to handle on a daily basis.
But…
It’s never too late to train a 2-year-old Dog using the right techniques.
Remember, when training your dog:
- no shouting
- no hitting
- no kicking
- no confusing commands
- no intimidation with body language or voice
You are looking to gain your dog’s respect.
And using any of the negative training ways above will not only cause them to not listen to you but will ruin your loving bond (source).
Instead, use the following ways to learn how to train a 2-year-old Dog and help them become a happy, trained member of your family.
1. Little and Often
Begin training your two-year-old Dog similar to how you’d train a puppy – little and often.
Don’t overwhelm your new dog. Stay away from:
- long training sessions
- advanced commands
- multi-step commands (like sit and stay at once)
Instead, train your dog this way. Aim for:
- short training blocks of 5 – 10 minutes
- small training sessions of 4 – 5 times throughout the day
- simple, easy-to-understand basic commands
Always reward them when they do the correct thing. And end your training on a good note with a command they know and a treat or cookie with lots of praise.
Some basic commands for your dog to work on include: sit, stay, down, and come. Start with this small set of commands for obedience training before adding in multi-step commands like these intermediate obedience commands for a Dog.
Next, you can move on to easy tricks, such as “shake” or “give paw” to break up training commands and do something more fun with your dog.
Can You Use Hand Signals for Training?
Another option is to use different hand signals for commands such as sit, stay, come, and down, and all of the commands if you wish.
It’s a good idea to train both verbal command and a hand signal in case you were in a noisy area, or when staying quiet is necessary.
You can come up with your own hand signs, but make sure they are each unique and different.
It’s also fun and interesting for you and your Dog!
2. Consistency
Young Dogs require consistency in their training, especially a two-year-old.
They will try your patience at almost every turn as they begin living with you. You must remain consistent with your commands and your expectations of them.
Don’t allow them to jump on one person, but reprimand them when they jump again on someone else. Correct their actions consistently the same way so they understand what you want.
Once your Dog doesn’t perform the command you ask, don’t get angry.
This just means they didn’t remember the training and you need to go right back to the basics.
If you’re training them every day and breaking down the basics into small steps, then you help them to remember their training and they will give you the behavior you ask for.
You start with the baby steps and create a foundation through consistency.
Training The Recall
Never, ever let a new Dog off their long line (when practicing outdoors) when there is even the slightest hint of danger of them not returning to you when you ask them to “come” or recall them.
This only sets you up for failure since they’ll ignore you.
Instead, work only on the long line outdoors to ensure you can gently guide them to you when you ask them to come using tasty treats, slapping your leg, or making interesting sounds.
Don’t jerk them to you or they will resist!
Offer them rewards of pats, praise, and treats for a good recall. Repeat this consistently in different situations, at home and outdoors, to ensure they understand the command.
Teach them that coming to you is a great thing. A strong bond with your Dog helps to ensure a strong recall.
You need to bond with your dog so they know they are loved and secure. If you’re having issues with recall, then use the table in this helpful, easy Solution Solver for a Dog Who Does Not Come When Called.
Dogs want to please their owners, but you do need to create the bond for this and that might take some time with a young, untrained dog.
3. Positive, Reward-Based Training
Dogs respond best to positive, reward-based training.
This means that you generally give them a small tasty treat for good behavior to a command or a pat on the shoulder and happy praise.
If you don’t have much experience with this type of training, then use this positive online dog training program that gives you 24-7 access to step-by-step training. It’s also fun because it teaches you tricks and games that increase your bond with your Dog.
In reward-based training, your dog is taught to build upon the small steps of success into harder and more challenging obedience.
This is done in a positive way that avoids stress and confrontation, two things your breed doesn’t need in their life!
Training a young dog is first about the right type of communication. Everything has to be taught and what your dog learns must be rewarded and reinforced.
Praise vs. Treats
Some people find that dog treats don’t work for their dog.
Their dog only concentrates on the treat and not what you are asking them or teaching. In this case, use praise so they’ll respond better and focus more.
When your dog responds positively, praise them and pat them on their side or shoulders. Avoid yelling at your dog no matter how frustrating you get.
Dogs love to please their owners so as you work with them, offering and giving plenty of praise or treats, the training will get easier.
Using Shock and Prong Collars on a Dog
Don’t use a trainer that relies on shock collars and prongs, as this generally isn’t necessary for your companion dog.
You want your dog to respond to your commands not because they are frightened of you giving them a zap or pinch with their collars.
Patience, love, and understanding will turn your untrained Dog into a well-mannered dog in the end, but don’t be a wimp and let them walk over you.
Instead of using harsh tools and punishment, read this useful post on how to quickly bond with your Dog so you don’t lose your dog’s trust and devotion.
4. Correcting Your Dog
Your dog may need a correction for unwanted behavior at some point in their training.
This doesn’t mean you punish them. Negative punishment can lead to a Dog with anxiety, stress, and little interest in training with you.
To correct your Dog:
- go to your dog and lure them into the position you have asked for using a tasty bit of treat in your hand
- make sure they hold the position you want for a few seconds by holding the treat in your hand or fingers and slowly giving it to them
- if they run off lure them back with the treat and work on the command
Corrections mean being fair with lots of tidbits and praise when they do well. But it also means being firm and consistent in your corrections and expectations.
Choose one of these healthy training treats for Dogs that will make your training easier with their highly scented ingredients.
Dogs are brilliant dogs and able to learn well throughout their lifetimes, even at 2 years old with the right training.
5. Exercise and Games
A 2-year-old Dog’s bones should be fully fused and able to withstand longer distances and jogging.
The length of the walk is only limited by your time and energy when you own a young, healthy Dog. A Dog can walk all day long because…
That’s exactly what they were bred to do!
Ideally, aim for 45 minutes to 1 hour walks daily. Two walks a day is better if your schedule allows.
Don’t go from a half-hour walk a day to a twenty-mile hike overnight. Build up their strength, muscles, and energy slowly to avoid damage to their body.
How to Exercise a Two-Year-Old Dog
Don’t only walk your dog as your breed is highly athletic and needs to work on different muscle groups.
Choosing safe, appropriate exercise improves your dog’s behavior, increases their bond with you, and helps to keep them healthy.
It’s best to let your Dog train and exercise or play games on:
- grassy fields
- dirt paths and trails
- sandy beaches
These softer surfaces help prevent impact injuries and are easier on their joints.
If you must walk them on asphalt or sidewalks, then:
- vary the pace to ensure their bones and muscles are impacted differently
- try to use grassy shoulders
- take different routes
- drive to places that have softer ground – go hiking!
Aim to exercise your Dog off-leash where appropriate. A dog park is not ideal for a new-to-you dog because their behavior is unpredictable.
Look for areas where your dog is safe from other unknown dogs or people.
Always, always, always keep a long-lead on them when in doubt to keep them safe and avoid dangers. The long-lead makes sure you still have control over your Dog while allowing them room to roam and explore.
If they have joint issues then avoid high-impact, long distances and take the advice of your veterinarian.
What games are best for training your intelligent, energetic Dog?
Using games in between training sessions helps your dog to burn energy and keep training fun.
It also breaks up the training sessions so that your dog doesn’t get bored.
The best games to play for training include those that increase your dog’s mental stimulation. Pick a couple of these fun games for Dogs to give you and your dog a break from too much training.
Easy training game ideas:
- Throw a ball from a tennis ball launcher to work on fetch skills and commands, such as “drop it” or “release.”
- Use a flirt pole and have your dog catch the lure and then work on “leave it” or have them perform a “down” after catching the flirt pole’s lure toy.
Remember that your dog will continue to play in all types of weather, so avoid overheating them in hot and humid conditions.
Take fresh water with you to offer your dog to keep them cool. Avoid the hottest parts of the day in your area.
Remember, you can avoid frustration with your training by using the games found in this online positive dog training course. This program walks you through exactly how to play obedience games to increase obedience.
Don’t underestimate learning how to train a 2 year old Dog by including lots of games.
Using games frequently also helps your dog to bond more strongly with you.
How To Socialize a 2-Year-Old Dog
At this age you might not know much about your new dog.
They could have lived with other dogs and people, or been alone in a kennel or backyard.
Whatever their history, it’s a good idea to introduce them to other people and dogs slowly.
You don’t want to overwhelm them, cause them anxiety, or find out they don’t get along with other animals.
Positive Ways to Socialize a 2-Year-Old Dog
A good way to learn how to socialize your dog is through slow introductions. You can do this by going for a walk.
Here’s how to socialize a 2 year old Dog:
- Walk them, on a leash, in your neighborhood, or on the outside perimeter of a park where there are not many people or dogs. This gives you a chance to see if they are comfortable with other animals or strangers.
- If you have a friend who has a dog that is known to be good with other dogs, ask them to meet you in a neutral zone, such as a local park at a quiet time. This gives you the opportunity to see how your new dog reacts socially.
- You do not need to approach any dogs or people that you pass, but if your Dog greets another dog when you are out walking in a positive manner this is a good sign.
- Work on lessening the distance that you can approach other dogs. Take your time if you see your dog become upset.
- Should your Dog experience any anxiety or stress don’t force socializing on them. Instead, take them away and find a behaviorist to help work on their socialization skills.
If your Dog barks, growls or shows negative behaviors while meeting other animals or people, don’t yell at them or harshly tug and jerk them away. This will only cause them to become more excited and anxious.
Not to mention…
This creates a negative experience they will remember with meeting new dogs or people making training your two-year-old Dog so much harder!
Watch Your Dog’s Behavior
Don’t overwhelm your new Dog by introducing them too quickly. This is too much at once for them.
Keep your distance from the dogs that cause your dog to become upset and never, ever let your dog loose in a social situation and just hope for the best!
That isn’t’ training…
It’s a disaster waiting to happen!
Tiny steps of progress, even looking in the direction of another dog and not getting upset, is still progress. Don’t rush socializing your dog.
Consider Their Background
Your Dog may not understand how to interact properly due to many different reasons from their previous lives before you, such as:
- lack of training or the wrong type of training
- lack of human interaction
- lack of socialization
- not being shown love and kindness
But you can start to work with them from the first day when they come to live with you.
Basically, begin training as soon as your new dog is settled in.
No Dog is ever too old to train.
But dogs that have been mistreated, ignored and abused are more difficult to train and require much more patience, kindness, and time.
A two-year-old Dog will bond with you, but it may take longer than a puppy would to bond.
Whether you are bringing them home from a shelter or rescue, or you’d like to work with your own dog and haven’t in the past, there’s no reason to delay learning how to train a two-year-old Dog.
An untrained Dog is capable of learning all you want to teach them if you break down the training into small, baby steps.
Your New Dog And You
This is the beginning of your relationship with your dog.
Training is a lifelong event and two years old isn’t too late to start.
While you’ll have times of frustration don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Your dog doesn’t learn any faster if you yell at them or push them into position.
They are counting on you to show them the right way to behave and act in your world. Be their number one fan and a fair teacher.
So…
How do you train a 2 year old Dog?
With loving kindness and compassion.
And, above all else, stay consistent.
Sounds like you’re ready to help your dog learn their basic commands now. So, read this post to continue obedience training your Dog from the comfort of your home.
