Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

my dog ive only had for a year, i got her from a family member who got her from a church(the family member had her for 10 years i think) so she is 11 in human and 77 in dog years. she doesnt listen all that well and i need to think of good ways to teach her to listen i still have to put the leash on her to potty and when she sees other animals *except kittens* she wants to attack, and when we do go places like the park she barks at every one in site and wont stop till i repremend her a few times. she is a silky terrier, so she is relativly small. what should i do about her behavior. i want to train her so that my parents let me take her places more often. she is the #1 thing in my life so it would be great if i could have some hints on how to get her to respect. (and stop begging for food at dinner time or n/e other time we have foodXD) thanks!

The Basics Of Dog Training, Teach Them To Your Dog Before It's Too Late

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Wow...your dog has been uprooted a bit and the first owners probably didn't socialize or train her right. At her age it will be difficult to break her habits.
She obviously wasn't trained to socialize with other dogs so unless you have a friend who has a dog and wants to help, you may have to put up with it. If you know someone who can bring their dog over, first important thing is to meet in a neutral place. Your dog will not learn in "it's den when it would expect respect from the other dog". Keep your dog on a leash but let them sniff each other and be quick to correct her if she tries to attach the other dog.
Sounds like she was fed food scraps and that's why she begs at the table. 10 years of a habit is not easy to break. If you have a small crate, put her in it during dinner and after you have eaten, let her out and prepare her dinner. Be sure she sees you giving it to her. This not only lets her know you are giving her what she's getting and nothing more but that you are the "food catcher" and therefore higher in the pack than she.
Go to the library and get dog training books. One good book to buy (I'm sure you'll have other dogs in years to come) is "Dogs for Dummies" - it's excellent.
She may also be hard of hearing - check with the vet.
She's had 11 years of doing things one way so breaking these habits may be impossible. Just be glad - her habits could be much, much worse.
You could try a private dog trainer - even paying for a one day consult, you'd learn a lot to try at home.
Unfortunately when we get an animal we tend to baby it. It's quite possible it was owned by elderly people who treated it like their baby and spoiled it rotten. Unfortunately if you outlive your dog (or if they had to go to a nursing home) then those habits are ingrained. And bad habits are the reason most dogs are turned into animal control and euthanized........all human error.
Please don't give up on her. I'll be praying for you.
Good luck!!!!!!

p.s. please don't use a pinch collar or anything other than a haltie to correct her lunging. They make it so much easier to control your dog and are the kindest type.

Finding the Essential Dog Training Supplies

• It is never too late for a good obedience class.
  A "pinch" collar will help with the lunging when walking her. A quick pop of the leash and a firm "leave it" or "no" usually works. You need to ignore the other animal and keep her moving AT YOUR SIDE - saying no, no, no, leave it, in an undertone the whole time. Never let her walk in front of you; keeping her at your side tells her that you are in control and since you are not worried about the other animal, then she can relax and enjoy the walk also.
  You could always practice with walks around the back yard then progress to walks around the block, then on to the park.
  My dogs are fed in their crates at the same time we have our dinner.


• need to watch the "dog whisperer" and take lots of notes! Maybe she needs to be ON the dog whisperer !! She sounds out of control. You need a professional, not much we can do for you on this forum. Good luck!


• sounds like she did not get socialized as a puppy. her need to bark is part of her breed. terriers vermon dogs and were trained to bark when the found them. but bring her to the park and when she barks lightly hold your hands over mouth keeping it closed and tell her no. there is a pressure point here on dogs. it wont hurt them but send a singnal that your the boss.when u get her barking under control start allowing her to great other dogs if the owners say it is ok. if she growls grp her mouth and tell her no.


• Here is a great site to help you. www.so-easy-dog-training.com
  
  And God bless you for you kindness. Most people wouldn't even try with an older dog. Good Luck


• Good luck a dog 11 yrs old will be hard to change.You can try putting her in dog cage every time she begs for food away from sight of food and see what happins.tell her no and gently cage her for a time.and be consistant with this and maby after a week you will only have to cage her 2 times a day.and after another week only 1 time good luck.