Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Yes, it’s possible! Whether you’ve rescued an adult pup or yours has slid back into old habits, every dog can learn. We asked the experts how.

by LIZZ SCHUMER

Rule Out Medical Issues

With older dogs in particular, first make sure their behavior isn’t related to a physical problem. Older pets may urinate in inappropriate places because of continence issues, explains Mikkel Becker, a certified dog behavior counselor and lead animal trainer for Fear Free, or may be slower to respond to your call because of a new or worsening mobility problem like arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Link My Pet dog trainer Brandon McMillan says he’s always keeping an eye on older dogs’ weight, which can contribute to those mobility-limiting issues. Also, cognitive decline can cause dogs to forget training they’ve had for a long time or may contribute to confused barking or whining, especially in new environments. All dogs should visit the vet every six months to help spot and treat issues early and manage their weight if necessary, but bring them to the vet right away if they’ve started struggling with a behavior that never used to be a problem.

Look at Their Environment

Thinking He should know better! is attributing morals to dogs that they just don’t have, Becker points out. “That dog that’s raiding the garbage can or barking at the mail carrier is getting something out of it,” she explains. Maybe the garbage contains a tasty snack, or they discover that after they make noise, the mail carrier goes away. She recommends removing temptation by doing something like getting garbage cans that lock or placing cans out of your pup’s reach, then giving the dog an outlet for their natural instincts. A pet who likes to forage, for example, may like puzzle bowls for mealtime or a toy basket they can dig through instead of going into the trash. If your pet gets overexcited when visitors come through the door, consider an option like having the dog greet guests outside first.

Focus on Positive Reinforcement Yelling not only doesn’t help fix the issue but also can actually create a negative association with you in your dog’s mind, Becker explains. A dog who gets scolded for going potty on the carpet may come to fear doing so in front of you at all, which will only cause problems when you need them to do their business on a walk. “Scolding increases anxiety, and anxiety itself often is the root cause of a lot of behavior issues, including aggression,” Becker notes. And a distressed pet, just like a distressed person, won’t learn as well as one who feels calm and excited to learn new things. Set them up for success by promoting behavior you want to see.

Make Training Part of Life

Crash diets don’t work, and neither does a single marathon training session. Instead, Becker encourages owners to think of training as a lifestyle change. That means patience is key, but so is considering the big picture. “Look at different ways you can integrate training into your daily life,” she advises. That might mean taking your dog through their known commands during a commercial break when you’re watching TV or for a few minutes before dinner every day. McMillan recommends that every dog know seven common commands they use as their obedience system: Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Off, Heel and No. Practice these, or other tricks they know, in training sessions with high-reward treats that last no more than a few minutes at a time. Go longer, and your dog may lose interest and be reluctant to cooperate next time. If your dog starts looking away, licking their lips, yawning, tucking their tail or ears, running away or trying to play, it’s time to stop for the day.

Reinforce Wanted Behavior

Many dogs will start acting out to get your attention, especially if it’s in short supply. Making an effort to praise them when they’re lying quietly on their bed, going potty in the right place or staying calm when the doorbell rings will reinforce that positive behavior, Becker explains. If you don’t make a big deal out of the behaviors you like, over time your pet will stop doing them because they don’t pay off the way misbehaving does. “Ensuring that you are paying attention to reinforcing those right behaviors is really going to be paramount to success,” she says. And get the whole family in on it: When it comes to training, consistency is key.

Patience Makes Perfect

As with potty training a kid, progress in training a pet isn’t always linear, and it may take longer for older pets. Your dog didn’t develop unwanted behaviors overnight, so they’re likely not going to unlearn them immediately either. “Older dogs can learn the same things as younger dogs—they just can’t learn them as fast,” explains McMillan. Becker advises looking for success over time, even if slipups happen. Tracking the number of times your pet manages not to jump on guests, for example, rather than focusing on the one time they got overexcited, will help you keep perspective over the long haul. Finally, remember that daily training sessions are good for not just your pet’s behavior, but their body and brain as well. Think of training as being like a crossword puzzle or Sudoku for dogs, but with the added benefit of getting them some physical movement. “This type of training offers mental stimulation and physical mobility for older dogs,” McMillan notes. Staying on top of training will keep them not only better behaved but also happier and healthier.

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