The Truth About "You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks"

I've got proof that the phrase "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is BS!

I have three old dogs at home, and I'm currently teaching them new tricks. Actually, not even tricks—just basic commands. My Airedale Terrier Richard is going to be 10 in October, my Lakeland Terrier Tinker Bell is 11 in August, and her mum Adele is 14.

So why did I wait so long?

Well… it wasn't because I didn't know how.

For years, it was simply a lack of time. I owned too many dogs, so it was difficult to give each of them individual attention, and most of my days were spent looking after other people's dogs - in my grooming salon and dog boarding kennels.

Then, even after moving to Slovakia and starting a quieter life, I just didn't feel like it. My dogs and I had settled into our routines. I knew what they could do and what they couldn't. We lived happily… or did we? More importantly, did they?

Recently, I went to a puppy class at Akademia Sirius to film a video for Miriam, the owner of the academy. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dog training and behaviour! She is simply the best!

We've known each other since our early teens, when we used to train our dogs together. She had her German Shepherd, Agbar, and I had my Miniature Schnauzer, Ajo. Twice a week, we would meet at the training club with other dog training enthusiasts. We were the youngest, and I have to say we were pretty good! I remember having so much fun preparing our dogs for search-and-rescue competitions in Zvolen-Západ, which was still being built at the time.

When it comes to dog training, I knew what to do, even though training methods have evolved significantly over the years.

So, I attended this puppy class, and I was genuinely impressed—not only with Miriam's approach but also with what the puppies had learned in just a few sessions.

And then I felt embarrassed. Embarrassed that my own dogs knew so little.

Sure, they can walk nicely on the lead. Lakyes has excellent recall. Richard... not so much, especially if another dog or some wildlife appears.

Completely inspired after that class, I started training them.

Little and often. Using a clicker. Using their daily food as a reward—not just treats. In fact, this is now how I feed them.

And oh my goodness, they absolutely love it! (Check my reels on Instagram.)

The progress they've made has been incredible. They're also calmer, more relaxed, and seem more content. During the recent heatwave, when we couldn't go for our usual long walks, the training sessions kept them mentally stimulated.

And now I love it too. Our bond has deepened, and it's an amazing feeling.

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is BS!

This experience with my oldies made me curious, so I started researching whether the old saying actually had any scientific basis.

What I discovered surprised me.

Modern neuroscience, cognitive psychology, gerontology, and animal behaviour research overwhelmingly show that the statement "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is false as a general rule. Yep, total BS!

The expression dates back to at least the 16th century. One of the earliest known versions appears in a collection of proverbs by John Fitzherbert in the early 1500s.

Originally, it wasn't intended as a scientific statement. Instead, it reflected practical experience. Older hunting dogs had well-established habits, training methods relied heavily on punishment, and working dogs were expected to perform efficiently rather than learn entirely new jobs.

The adult brain is not "fixed."

Over time, the proverb evolved into a metaphor for human stubbornness rather than learning ability. The myth survives because it contains a grain of truth. As we age, learning often becomes slower, more effortful, and requires more energy. But slower learning is not the same as impossible learning.

For decades, scientists believed that the brain became "fixed" in adulthood. That idea has since been completely overturned. The brain continually rewires itself through neuroplasticity. This happens in children, adults, and older people alike. Although the rate of change may slow with age, the ability itself does not disappear.

How amazing is that?

Whenever we learn something new, our brains physically change, regardless of our age.

Research also suggests that the adult brain retains a remarkable capacity to adapt throughout life. While scientists continue to debate the extent of new neuron formation in adult humans, there is broad agreement that lifelong learning strengthens brain function and promotes cognitive health.

Older adults can absolutely learn complex skills. They may simply need more repetition, more practice, more sleep, and—perhaps most importantly—stronger motivation.

Not less intelligence.

Older people also tend to have stronger habits. Those habits can create resistance to change, but resistance is often mistaken for inability.

The two are not the same.

What about older dogs?

Dogs continue learning throughout their lives through associative learning, operant conditioning, social learning, and observational learning. Age does not stop these learning mechanisms.

Professional trainers like Miriam regularly teach senior dogs obedience, scent work, tricks, therapy work, and even medical alert behaviours. Senior rescue dogs often learn completely new lifestyles after adoption.

Learning depends on reinforcement. If reinforcement exists, learning occurs.

Simple!

And this remains true even in elderly dogs. Of course, older dogs may develop arthritis, hearing loss, reduced vision, slower movement, or cognitive decline—like my Adele.

As Miriam recommends, training simply needs to be adapted. Keep sessions shorter, reduce the physical demands, use plenty of rewards, and be patient. Learning is still entirely possible.

Sometimes older dogs can even learn faster than puppies—which is definitely Richard's case! Puppies become distracted easily, have poor impulse control, and tire quickly.

Senior dogs, on the other hand, often focus for longer, understand routines better, and regulate their emotions more effectively.

Many trainers report that older dogs excel in scent work and calm obedience exercises.

Historically, dogs were trained using punishment, dominance, and force. These methods often failed, particularly with older dogs.

Modern positive reinforcement has transformed dog training. Reward-based learning motivates dogs of every age.

Some elderly dogs develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and some older people develop conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. These diseases can affect learning and memory, but they are medical conditions—not normal ageing.

Many older dogs and older people remain highly capable learners.

So why does the myth persist?

When someone struggles to learn something new, people often say:

"See? I'm too old."

But when someone succeeds, they say:

"They're exceptional."

This is a classic example of confirmation bias—remembering evidence that supports an existing belief while overlooking evidence that contradicts it.

Conclusion

The proverb "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is best understood as a cultural metaphor rather than a factual statement.

Modern evidence from neuroscience, psychology, education, and canine behaviour consistently shows that both people and dogs retain the capacity to learn throughout life.

Ageing may change how learning happens. It may require more repetition, stronger motivation, and greater patience, but it does not eliminate the ability to learn.

In many cases, the experience, emotional regulation, and accumulated knowledge that come with age become advantages, allowing both people and dogs to master new skills in ways younger learners sometimes cannot.

So perhaps it's time we retired the old saying.

Science may explain why older dogs can learn, but my real proof is living with me at home. Richard, Tinker Bell and Adele are excited to train, eager to learn, and proving that age is no barrier when learning is fun. Perhaps the old saying should be rewritten:

"You can teach an old dog new tricks—you just have to make it worth learning."

Jitka xx