Have you ever been told that an old dog can't learn new tricks? To say that this is a cliche would be an understatement, but it seems like most people are under this assumption. Despite this, the truth behind it may not have the strongest foundation. As a matter of fact, if you take the time to read further, you'll start to see that this particular cliche doesn't exactly hold water when it's put to the test.
While you may think that older or senior dogs cannot pick up on new abilities, the truth is that their focus aids this process along. According to companies such as Assisi Animal Health, it's not out of the question for a canine in his or her twilight years to pick up on skills that they might not have obtained earlier in life. It's a simple matter of how much work you're willing to put into this, as a pet owner. If you're determined, you can make it happen.
If you're looking to train your senior dog, understand that it's not much different from training a puppy in terms of how long it takes. It can take several weeks for a new trick to sink in, even if it's something as simple as begging. One of the ways to help this process along, however, is by using treats. These can serve as encouragement, but you shouldn't rely on them alone. If you do, your pet will start to expect a treat whenever they successfully beg.
Perhaps the best way to make teaching tricks easier on yourself is by getting your dog the exercise they need. Keep in mind that older pets need to be active the most, seeing as how their joints and muscles can stiffen over time. Everything from walks around the block to games of catch can go a long way. The more physically able your dog is, the easier it'll be for you to teach tricks that they didn't know before.
While it's fair to assume that teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible, it's nothing short of a myth that doesn't seem to fade. Fortunately, there are ways to carry out this practice so that the best results come about. Whether it's a matter of sitting, begging, or what have you, your older dog is capable of learning anything. However, you have to be willing to put in the work that's expected of a pet owner.
While you may think that older or senior dogs cannot pick up on new abilities, the truth is that their focus aids this process along. According to companies such as Assisi Animal Health, it's not out of the question for a canine in his or her twilight years to pick up on skills that they might not have obtained earlier in life. It's a simple matter of how much work you're willing to put into this, as a pet owner. If you're determined, you can make it happen.
If you're looking to train your senior dog, understand that it's not much different from training a puppy in terms of how long it takes. It can take several weeks for a new trick to sink in, even if it's something as simple as begging. One of the ways to help this process along, however, is by using treats. These can serve as encouragement, but you shouldn't rely on them alone. If you do, your pet will start to expect a treat whenever they successfully beg.
Perhaps the best way to make teaching tricks easier on yourself is by getting your dog the exercise they need. Keep in mind that older pets need to be active the most, seeing as how their joints and muscles can stiffen over time. Everything from walks around the block to games of catch can go a long way. The more physically able your dog is, the easier it'll be for you to teach tricks that they didn't know before.
While it's fair to assume that teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible, it's nothing short of a myth that doesn't seem to fade. Fortunately, there are ways to carry out this practice so that the best results come about. Whether it's a matter of sitting, begging, or what have you, your older dog is capable of learning anything. However, you have to be willing to put in the work that's expected of a pet owner.
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