[Woolsy]

I tried searching the forum for this specific topic but I landed with 128 searches that has no exact subject as this. However, if there is a topic related to this, I would like to be redirected to that and learn more about this.

How do you teach new tricks to old dogs? There is a saying that you can't teach new tricks to old dogs but I don't believe it.

[Todd]

i don't believe it either. how do you teach an old dog new tricks? the same way you'd teach a young dog new tricks. old dogs may not catch on as quickly, but i personally believe that with the correct motivation, diligence, and love they can accomplish any trick that a pup can accomplish.

[Bacis Dad]

You absolutely can!!!!
And its actually not as hard as you may think! Its all the same, pretty much cause and effect theory. I do this and this happens so I will do this more!
Look into Clicker Training, I swear by it, once mastered you can train almost anything!

[Woolsy]

I wish I could train my colleagues using the clicker.

Now that I have support on my belief that old dogs can still learn new tricks, where do you think did that phrase come from? I guess I have to write mythbusters about this and let them experiment on it to bust this very old saying.

[Yogi]

I think this pertained to people not necessarily dogs. But being dog is mans best friend it probably can be linked there. In reference to as we age we become some what set in our ways to the point that change is not necessarily something we prefer.
Besides, teaching an old dog new tricks can in fact be easier than teaching a puppy. Face it, pups like toddlers have the attention span of a gnat unless you tire them out and at which time they are willing to pay attention much better.
An older dog needs less activity on the whole and therefore is more willing to please.

[Bacis Dad]

I completely agree! Its a phrase pertaining to something/ someone just being set in their ways.... But I guarentee you that if you give a grumpy old man $1000 every time he says thank you to someone, he will be doing it a lot more! haha

PS Mythbusters did an episode on that a few years ago!!! hahahaha It was an interesting episode cuz they also talked about different training techniques.. too! thats pretty funny!