Teaching an old dog new tricks

Keeping our dogs challenged and engaged through training and games is just as important when they are older, as it is when they are a puppy, so teaching and old dog new tricks has many benefits.

Not only does it keep them mentally and physically stimulated, which has a positive impact on their overall health and well-being by keeping those cogs turning, it keeps their bodies moving and provides a lot of fun for you both.

However, when teaching an old dog new tricks, you need to keep a few things in mind.

Keep physical challenges in mind

First, you need to make sure that your dog is physically able to perform the trick you you are asking of them.

Some older dogs may have sore joints and mobility issues, so don’t choose tricks or activities that could cause them pain or injury.  Tricks that require them to jump, sit or run can be tough on dogs with arthritis.

Be mindful of their dental health

With up to 80% of dogs and cats suffering from some form of gum diseases, it is vital that the dental health of your dog is checked regularly. For older dogs, this should include twice yearly vet visits and an annual dental clean with x-rays so any underlying issues can be identified that might be causing them discomfort or pain. Just because your dog is eating, doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain.  They need to eat to survive so that over rides any pain they might be feeling and dogs tend to hide any pain, which is why these check ups are so important.

It is also important then when teaching an old dog new tricks, that you consider any dental issues that may limit them using their mouth, like carrying items or fetching, while vision loss and hearing issues also need to be considered.

Noise phobia

Older dogs that are anxious or noise phobic, may not cope with noisy tricks or activities like talk buttons or fast moving and loud objects, so use slow movements, lots of encouragement and don’t ask too much of them too quickly, to help avoid confusion and making any anxiety worse.

Noise phobia tends to get worse in dogs that have arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues, as loud noises can make them flinch in suprise, which causes them physical pain – this creates a negative association with noise, which is then how the phobias begin and then get worse.

Always use positive reinforcement training

When teaching an old dog new tricks, use a reward that motivates them the most.  This might be food, treats, praise or their favourite toy.

Remember when teaching them something new  you need to reward every small effort they make towards the end goal, like you do in puppy training.  Older dogs may be set in their ways, so it’s important to make the training fun and rewarding for them.

Be clear with what you are asking of them

As with any training you need to be Clear, Concise and Consistent with what you are asking of them.  As with any training, break it down into small, simple steps and mark (use ‘yes” or a “clicker“) and reward them every time they move a step closer towards the end goal.

Be patient

While it is important to be patient when training a dog of any age, it is needed even more so when teaching an old dog new tricks for many of the reasons listed above.

Plus, as many older dogs do start to show signs of cognitive decline and can suffer from doggy dementia we want to ensure we aren’t expecting too much from them, pushing them too far too fast or confusing them with what we are asking of them.

It may take longer for them to learn new tricks, but with consistent practice and positive reinforcement, they can still achieve great things.

Some fun brain games to try

If you are looking for some fun brain games to help keep your senior dog mentally and physically stimulated, do some Snuffle Mat training , which you can then turn into a Treat Treasure Hunt. You can then up the ante with Tidy Up Toy Box – which is a pretty useful trick as well!

Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog