YOU CAN'T REALLY TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS - TRUE OR NOT?

Many wisdoms of life have often reached us from the past in the form of various proverbs and sayings. "Don't judge a book by its cover," "Morning wiser in the evening," "Speak silver, silence gold." These are certainly phrases that have something to them and often express a thought better than a thousand words. But then there are those that do not meet reality very well and can be easily disproved. Experienced dog walkers probably already know that we are talking about the old familiar, but pretty untrue, proverb "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Write down that you will!

Dogs are good learners by nature. They are naturally inquisitive and eager to gain new experiences. In fact, if the dog is awake, it is learning. He constantly observes his environment and reacts to what he hears, sees and feels. However, the truth remains that the older the dog, the slower it learns new tricks. It's probably no surprise that young dogs learn everything faster, but that doesn't mean that older dogs should ever stop learning.

On the other hand, if we were to point out the positives of training an older dog, it is possible that they will concentrate better during it. Unlike puppies, they are no longer as inquisitive and are not easily distracted. Thanks to this, new tricks can often be learned faster than younger dogs.

Although we have dispelled the old myth, it is still true that it is best to start training as soon as possible. Ideally, when you bring your puppy home, which should be at least eight weeks old. Older dogs are docile, but with puppies it is a big advantage that you work with a clean slate. They haven't picked up any bad habits that you need to get rid of.

DOES IT GO OTHERWISE? CAN YOU TRAIN AN OLD DOG WITH OLD TRICKS?

Older dogs have gained a lot of experience throughout their lives and learned a lot of tricks, unfortunately, some that you won't be completely thrilled about. If you get an older furry, for example from a shelter, there will most likely be a few things that you will want to unlearn. Fortunately, it's never too late for that. Dogs live in the present moment, do not dwell on the past and do not think about the future. If you are patient with an adopted dog that has been seasoned for years, you can unlearn even the most annoying bad habit. Shelter dogs are usually grateful for their new, loving home and eager to please their owners.

REGARDING AGE AND PHYSICAL CONDITION

Old and young dogs are eager learners. The learning techniques are the same regardless of their age, but sometimes adjustments are necessary. Tireless puppies have a lot of energy for physically demanding tricks. Fetch 30 minutes? No problem! On the other hand, older dogs with creaky joints no longer have that stamina.

In conclusion, you can really teach your old dogs new tricks, but you have to choose the right ones. Even simple commands can be uncomfortable for older dogs. Repeated sitting takes a toll on old hip joints. Begging for a treat is straining the old back. Jumping up and catching a frisbee could hurt them pretty bad. Therefore, before starting training, always consider the physical condition of your dog. Good luck!