Are you interested in training your senior dog? It can be challenging, but you can do it. There’s a huge misconception that old dogs can’t learn, but we will dispel that myth below, where you’ll learn how to teach your senior dog new tricks.
Can You Teach an Old Dog?
Short answer: yes. While they certainly learn slower than puppies, the data is clear: they can learn. As a species, dogs are great learners, naturally curious, and eager to learn new things. Just think about a dog’s first instinct when you place something in front of them: they usually touch it with their nose and sniff it. They’re curious about the object. Where did the misconception that you can’t teach old dogs come from? We first read this phrase in John Fitzherbert’s Book of Husbandry, written in the 16th century. It referred to the difficulty of teaching dogs new things, but luckily, that’s been debunked.
Be Patient
Your dog is learning something they have never learned before. They’ll need time to adjust and learn new things. Given their history, they might even be nervous about the process. Don’t give up! It may take a few days or a few months, but ultimately, it’s well worth it. Some dogs are more difficult to teach than others, especially if they have a negative history. Give them time, and they’ll learn whatever you want to teach them.
Enroll in an Obedience Class
Considering the importance of obedience training, why not learn from the experts? Obedience training can teach you how to be a better leader to your pup. Believe it or not, you can learn new tricks too. Obedience training can teach you any maladaptive habits you’ve been inadvertently teaching your dogs and help you relearn new ones. A course like this is perfect for re-education for you and your pup. So what do you do after you enroll in the course? Learn a few tips for how to teach your senior dog new tricks below.
Identify Problem Spots: Tips
Suppose you just got your pup, or you’re teaching them new behaviors. In that case, it’s imperative that you immediately stop the behaviors that you don’t want. You need to identify any problem spots the dog may have. Do you have a problem with them lying on the couch or bed? Do you mind them jumping on guests when they come through the door? Here are a few things you can try once you know what rules you want to implement:
- Make sure everyone in the home is on the same page. It cannot be very clear to the dog to get mixed signals from the other members of your household.
- Require your dog to behave appropriately before offering them treats.
- Teach new behaviors as soon as you can.
In short, old dogs can learn new tricks. It’s just a matter of teaching them properly. We hope you use this article’s information to do just that. Happy training!
