When it comes to dogs learning new tricks, trainers say age has nothing to do with it.
Some older pooches may be set in their ways, but learning new behaviors can occur as easily after two years as after 10, said Angie Jennings, co-owner of Play Dog Excellent, a canine training facility on Dayton Boulevard
The key to teaching dogs at any age is finding what motivates them to turn learning into a playful activity, Jennings said.
“What we do with a lot of young dogs is teach them, like we do with children, that learning is fun,” Jennings said. “Dogs want interaction with a human. You’re giving everything you have to that dog, and the dog will return that to you.”
Because they have outgrown their youthful exuberance, older animals can actually be easier to teach than younger puppies. The ability to focus and remain patient during 15- to 20-minute daily training sessions improves with age, Jennings said.