You CAN Teach Old Dogs New Tricks

There is an adage that says, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." That is not exactly true. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

With time and patience, old dogs can be taught as quickly to do the same tricks that young dogs can do. The personality of dogs don't change that much when they grow up. If a young dog was aggressive, he will probably still be aggressive when he is older. If a young dog was fearful when he was a puppy, he will probably be fearful when he grows up.

Knowing the personality of your dogs will help tremendously with the training.

Teaching an old dog new tricks depends more on the owner or trainer than on the dog. A dog can sense the anxiety and lack of confidence of his trainer. Do not be too hasty for the dog to learn. Be patient with him.

Learn how to communicate with your dog through his sounds (barking, growling, whimpering, whining and yelping). Learn to communicate with your dogs by knowing how to read his body language (waging tag, leaning forward, leaning backward, standing upright, etc.) Read the article: Communicating With Your Dog.

Be consistent with your training. Keep the same training schedule. If you train in the morning one day, make sure it is in the morning on other days. Then reward the dog for his performing a trick as soon as an individual trick is done. Do not wait until the entire session is over. Read the article: Do Not Put These Foods On Your Dog's Menu.

Give your dog a word cue, or other cue once and once only. If the dog obeys, reward him. Your dog can be trained to close cupboard doors or fetch a newspaper as well as more complicated tricks.

Dogs that are barking too much, and at the wrong times, can be trained to be quiet on cue from his owner. Dogs who go to the bathroom in the house can be trained to go outside. Your dog can be trained to play dead, to roll over even though he might be a senior citizen.

Remember neither your dog nor you are too old to learn.