Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
An Orange cat eating from a bowl filled with mixed food
Learn the scientific reasons why we have such strong connections with our pets, and what science says about the love between humans and our furry friends.
Learn more about littermate syndrome in dogs and cats and how to successfully navigate adoption and early socialization processes.
Jean Marie Bauhaus
|July 31, 2019
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks," might be a cliché saying, but is it true? Read on for the real scoop on teaching an old dog new tricks, and learn tips for training an older dog.
The original saying went, "An old dog will learn no tricks." No one is certain of the exact origins of the phrase, but it appeared as early as 1721 in the book "Divers Proverbs" by Nathan Baily, says Know Your Phrase. While that proverb uses dogs as a metaphor for the stubbornness of human nature, an even older version can be found in a book on animal husbandry from the 1500s which states, "it is hard to make an old dog to stoop," referring to teaching a dog to put their nose to the ground to track scent. Cuteness points out that these sayings originated at a time when dogs were trained to perform specific jobs such as herding or hunting, abilities that would naturally decline as dogs aged and lost the use of their senses.
While declining health might prevent older dogs from being able to perform certain tasks, they still have the ability to learn new skills — though at a slower rate than puppies and younger dogs, according to an article in the journal, Age. In a study conducted at the University of Vienna's Clever Dog Lab, a test of dogs' ability to learn to distinguish between objects found that dogs around 10 years of age took more than twice as many repetitions and corrections than puppies 6 months to 1 year old. However, the older dogs outperformed the young pups in logic and reasoning tasks, suggesting that older dogs stubbornly refuse to unlearn what they already know. The study found no age difference in dogs' ability to retain their training.
While the study found no correlation between aging dogs' ability to learn and dog breed, it stands to reason that breeds that are easier to train while young will remain easier to train as they age. Breeds that do best at learning new skills, says iHeartDogs, include the poodle, golden and Labrador retrievers and herding breeds such as the German shepherd, collie and Shetland sheepdog. Both Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh corgis are also highly trainable.
There are many possible reasons for training an older dog: Perhaps you've adopted a senior dog who needs to learn how to fit into your household, or maybe your older dog has had a rough past and needs to be resocialized or desensitized to fear triggers. Here are a few more reasons you may want to train an older dog:
As dogs age, many develop health conditions that limit their learning ability, including joint pain, vision or hearing loss, and decline in cognitive function, says Rover.This might mean you should avoid trying to teach your senior dog more vigorous games or activities, but the good news is that older dogs can still learn new things. It simply takes more time and patience to train an older dog.
Here are some tips to help make teaching an old dog new tricks a little easier:
Despite the old adage, teaching an old dog new tricks is possible. Training an older dog simply takes time and repetition along with a whole lot of patience and love.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Wondering where can I buy a dog? Consider adoption and explore the pros and cons of adopting a dog from a breeder versus an animal shelter.
Learn how to help keep your dog's immune system in tip-top shape, including nutritional immune system support for dogs and other strategies.
Your dog's coat and skin are a big part of your dog's overall health. Ensure you keep your dog's coat healthy, by following these simple tips.
Discover how the field of dog science is giving us more and more insights into the inner workings of our furry best friends.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.