How many times have you been told, "an old dog can't learn new tricks?" It's one of the more repeated statements among pet owners, but it's not nearly as truthful as you might think. While it's typical to associate age with the inability to obtain new information - this is not only associated with pets, but people as well - this couldn't be any further from reality. Here are a few things that you should know about this commonly repeated idea that, upon further inspection, doesn't hold water.
If you've been told that your old dog can't learn any new tricks, you've been lied to. One of the reasons for this is that, compared to puppies, senior dogs possess greater focus. Believe it or not, this makes teaching easier, since you won't have to worry about their attention deviating to another location. This is just the start of the knowledge that companies like Assisi Animal Health, as far as teaching older canines is concerned.
Much like training a puppy, taking a senior dog under your wing is no small feat. As a matter of fact, you'll have to go through the motions to ensure that your pet understands the tricks that he or she is being taught. One of the best tips is to use treats, offering praise beforehand. What this does is foster a sense of familiarity as far as the tricks are concerned. Before long, your pet will start to sit, beg, and the like without the need for a treat.
Perhaps the best way to make teaching tricks easier on yourself is by getting your dog the exercise they need. Keep in mind that older pets need to be active the most, seeing as how their joints and muscles can stiffen over time. Everything from walks around the block to games of catch can go a long way. The more physically able your dog is, the easier it'll be for you to teach tricks that they didn't know before.
While it's fair to assume that teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible, it's nothing short of a myth that doesn't seem to fade. Fortunately, there are ways to carry out this practice so that the best results come about. Whether it's a matter of sitting, begging, or what have you, your older dog is capable of learning anything. However, you have to be willing to put in the work that's expected of a pet owner.
If you've been told that your old dog can't learn any new tricks, you've been lied to. One of the reasons for this is that, compared to puppies, senior dogs possess greater focus. Believe it or not, this makes teaching easier, since you won't have to worry about their attention deviating to another location. This is just the start of the knowledge that companies like Assisi Animal Health, as far as teaching older canines is concerned.
Much like training a puppy, taking a senior dog under your wing is no small feat. As a matter of fact, you'll have to go through the motions to ensure that your pet understands the tricks that he or she is being taught. One of the best tips is to use treats, offering praise beforehand. What this does is foster a sense of familiarity as far as the tricks are concerned. Before long, your pet will start to sit, beg, and the like without the need for a treat.
Perhaps the best way to make teaching tricks easier on yourself is by getting your dog the exercise they need. Keep in mind that older pets need to be active the most, seeing as how their joints and muscles can stiffen over time. Everything from walks around the block to games of catch can go a long way. The more physically able your dog is, the easier it'll be for you to teach tricks that they didn't know before.
While it's fair to assume that teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible, it's nothing short of a myth that doesn't seem to fade. Fortunately, there are ways to carry out this practice so that the best results come about. Whether it's a matter of sitting, begging, or what have you, your older dog is capable of learning anything. However, you have to be willing to put in the work that's expected of a pet owner.
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Visit Assisi Animal Health if you'd like information about pain relief for animals.. Unique version for reprint here: Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?.
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