Can You Actually Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

You may have heard that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But like many adages, this expression is misused, misinterpreted, and misconstrued. The phrase can be traced back to 16th-century England, when dogs were regularly used for specific tasks, such as herding and hunting. The assumption was that puppies were easier to train than older dogs. The term was then popularized in books that followed, and voila: A saying was born.

But old dogs can still learn, their behavior can be molded, and tricks can absolutely be taught. Senior dogs make some of the best companions for plenty of reasons, none of which compete with their age or trainability. 

A dog entering their golden years doesn’t mean they are necessarily frail or feeble. What it does mean is that the dog may have less energy and some graying fur, and be experiencing other changes in their body. But their capacity to discover a new skill or play games remains.

Learning never gets old

Age is not a factor in gaining knowledge. “All the same things we recommend when it’s a puppy apply to seniors, too, especially if a dog is food-motivated,” says Kerry Armstrong, co-founder of Better Together Forever, a nonprofit out of Los Angeles that focuses on keeping people and their pets together. “The benefit with seniors is it’s less work because they get tired quicker.” 

While there are three general types of learning (observational learning, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning), you should focus on operant conditioning (or positive reinforcement).

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How positive reinforcement dog training works

Operant conditioning connects a dog’s “good” actions with positive reinforcement. When a dog earns a reward — such as a treat, a toy, or your praise — after doing something you like, they’re more likely to do it again.

The goal is to find opportunities to praise your senior dog and build new behaviors, taking small, incremental steps. This allows you to avoid punishing them or creating a false sense of urgency, shaping your dog’s desired behaviors without putting added pressure on them. 

Operant conditioning is a great way to build a connection with an older adopted dog, because positive reinforcement boosts the bond between you and the dog by strengthening trust.

Training helps dogs as they age

Teaching an aging dog new tricks and skills comes with several benefits. Here are ways training can help your dog as they grow older.

• Mental stimulation: Training keeps the mind stimulated. This can ward off dementia and prevent cognitive decline, while helping with overall mood by boosting your dog’s confidence.

• Builds a bond: Training can help you feel more connected and involved with your pup. The love between a person and a dog flourishes because of the time spent together teaching and learning. 

• Improves their well-being: By giving an old dog a chance to experience life and by keeping them engaged to their fullest, you can help them thrive and improve their overall health. 

• Can reduce stress: Playful training creates a sense of delight that can lower a dog’s stress, keeping them content.

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How to teach an older dog tricks

With senior dogs, physical demands can be challenging, so training might need to be tailored to mobility issues or limitations. However, even oldies with arthritis or hip issues can relish in using their brains. 

Tricks that work for senior dogs

Start with simple cues (such as “sit” or “down”) and low-impact tricks (such as “shake” or “spin”). Here are some tricks I like to teach my senior dogs that result in useful behaviors at home.

• Touch: Extend your palm and wait for your dog to approach it organically. When that wet snout touches your hand, give them praise or a treat. By welcoming your dog’s curiosity towards you, they'll start to check in with you as a default behavior.

• Ring the bell to go out: Pair the sound of the bell with exiting to go for a walk by hanging a bell on the door you use to go outside and allowing it to ring as the door opens and closes. (This is classical conditioning.) Eventually, your dog will approach the bell or interact with it, and hopefully, you’ll be there to “capture” this behavior and reward it. Over time, this will encourage your dog to ring the bell with their paw or snout as a way to request a walk.

• Go find it: By tossing dog kibble or treats around the house, throughout a room, or across the grass in a secure backyard, you entice a dog to work for food, activate their inherent ability to forage, and utilize the power of their nose. It’s a great way for them to burn energy while doing a natural thing. Note: I recommend this activity only in solo dog households.

Tailor your training to your dog’s abilities

You may want to take your senior pup on leisurely walks, but dial down the intensity and stress on their muscles, joints, and bones. Use light treats (or dog-friendly fruits and veggies) to avoid taxing their organs or inviting issues such as pancreatitis.

Give your senior dog time

As is the case for any adopted dog, when bringing home a senior dog, remember that dogs thrive with structure and routine — after given time to decompress. The 3-3-3 rule can be helpful in terms of managing your expectations for a new dog. Focus on instilling good habits first (since bad habits are hard to undo), then give them privileges later on.

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Use alternative types of mental stimulation

Feeding your old dog using a puzzle, Kong, or lick mat can work wonders to mentally stimulate them. Often, aging dogs still like to play, although dental issues or tooth decay may make tug of war less fun than a gentle game of fetch. So find what works best for them.

Reward behaviors that you want

Adopting a senior dog doesn’t mean that the bad habits they’ve learned can’t be unlearned. Without reinforcement, behaviors will change or fade away. So, when you choose to give dogs your attention is one of the most powerful tools you have in influencing their behavior. By giving them attention for what you want more of, you support preferred behaviors. 

Redirect with incompatible behaviors

“Incompatible behaviors” refers to a behavior that a dog can’t perform at the same time as an unwanted behavior. For instance, if your senior dog loves to nudge new visitors with their nose, you can train them to go to their bed when visitors arrive. This is one way you can get a dog to stop doing something you don’t like.

Why is my older dog not learning new tricks?

If training your senior dog feels tricky, try these tips to get the sessions back on track.

• Adjust your training methods: Training problems might arise from sight or auditory impairments, making it difficult for your senior dog to see or hear your cues. Make sure to meet them where they’re at, cognitively and physiologically, and adjust to their needs. 

• Try not to confuse them: Most dogs (including seniors) just want to understand what’s expected of them and what makes you happy — so they can earn the things they want. If your dog seems confused by a behavior expectation, ask yourself if you’ve taught it to them in a clear way. Pay attention to what you’re conveying with your body language, too. 

• Don’t train for too long: One session each day for 10 minutes can be more effective than training a dog for an hour once a week. The best way to go about this is to make training part of life, and weave in sessions for short stints throughout your days.

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Reasons to adopt a senior dog

No matter a dog’s age, they deserve love. And so do you. Here are the reasons I love to adopt oldies, on top of some benefits you might already know.

• Senior dogs are like moving pillows: They don’t need as much activity. They just need quality companionship and a soft, warm place to lie. The hyperactivity may have subsided, but the love they have to offer is untouched in its bounty.

• Elder dogs force us to focus on the magnificence of today: None of us knows how much time we have left, and spending time with old dogs lets us face this reality with gratitude, love, and courage. 

• Their chill vibe and slower pace put me in a more mindful state: Taking care of a senior dog reminds you to just breathe and feel the calmness. This keeps you more in the moment. 

In the end, training is about your connection with your dog, and not about their age. If you go into an adoption considering the kind of relationship you want — and the sort of energy you will commit to — a dog’s behavior will blossom from there, regardless of their age.

Commonly asked questions

How can I tell my senior dog’s age?

You can estimate your dog’s age by observing a few signs. Gray hairs around the muzzle, cloudy eyes, worn-down teeth, slower movements, and changes in muscle tone or weight can all hint at their stage in life. A vet can give you the best guess by studying their dental wear, joint health, and overall body condition.

Do senior dogs still like to play?

Yes, senior dogs still like to play. Many older dogs prefer gentler games, such as slow tug, short fetch sessions on soft grass, puzzle toys, or even just rolling around with you on the floor.

What are senior-for-senior programs about?

Senior-for-senior programs match older dogs with older people: pairing mellow, lower-energy pups who need homes with humans who want companionship without the chaos of a young dog.

References

Cherry, Kendra. “A Study Guide for Your Psychology of Learning Exam.” Verywell Mind, 2019, www.verywellmind.com/learning-study-guide-2795698.

“Dog Training Tips for Annoying Dog Behaviors.” Animalbehaviorcollege.com, Animal Behavior College, www.animalbehaviorcollege.com/blog/pet-training/dog-training-tips-annoying-dog-behaviors.

“How to Play with Your Elderly Dog | the Grey Muzzle Organization.” www.greymuzzle.org, www.greymuzzle.org/resources/wellness/how-play-your-elderly-dog.

Lillard, Angeline S., and Alev Erisir. “Old Dogs Learning New Tricks: Neuroplasticity beyond the Juvenile Period.” Developmental Review, vol. 31, no. 4, Dec. 2011, pp. 207–239, doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2011.07.008.

“Natural Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Immune System.” www.petmd.com, www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/natural-ways-improve-your-dogs-immune-system.

Rolston, Dorian. “You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks (without Learning Yourself).” Forbes, 30 June 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/dorianrolston/2020/06/30/you-cant-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks-without-learning-yourself.