Dances with Dogs: You Can Teach an Old Pup New Tricks

Troy is a 16-year-old Black Labrador. photo: Cam Barbarick

The old proverb says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But like many sayings, this one is not entirely true.  Of course, we all know older family members or senior dogs who seem set in their ways, and many habits and behaviors do tend to become hardwired. Yet we also know seniors who are lifelong learners (we may even be one ourselves), actively seeking out new challenges.

These busy seniors might be onto something. Research shows that elderly people who keep their minds and bodies active seem to thrive. These studies also show that adding a social aspect to a senior’s routine is a key factor to that thriving, which is why dancing lessons are often promoted as an ideal way to keep seniors healthy. In addition to challenging the mind and body, dance lessons make sure older adults are still socially active, not alone or isolated.

In fact, dancing is one of the most enjoyable ways of getting up, moving around, and keeping fit. Benefits include improved mental health and reduced stress levels; it can even lessen insomnia. Dancing also helps improve balance, maintain a social life, increase health and fitness levels, and promote independence for seniors.

If moving around, using our brains, and staying socially engaged is good for senior humans, it stands to reason that it’s also good for our senior canine friends. And with so many dogs living longer and more people adopting senior dogs, this is a great time to look at how we can create some of the same benefits of dancing for dogs.

Dogs are innately good learners. They constantly observe their environment and respond to what they hear, see, and smell. They live in the moment. Of course, we are unlikely to train our dogs to do the cha-cha. However, there are many other tricks we can teach them with similar benefits. But we need to check out a few things first.

Many senior dogs are perfectly able, but if your dog is getting achy in the joints or has other limitations that come with age, keep these in mind. Older dogs may have arthritis and have a harder time jumping or sitting for long periods. Be aware of their dental health, as this may limit what they can do with their mouths, and check for any visual or hearing problems. 

All these factors may not only determine what tricks you might want to teach, but also how your dog can learn. Find the way that’s best for them, and you’ll see an eager senior dog still ready to play.

When you do play, remember that your old dog buddy is not a puppy. Pay attention to signs of exhaustion, which include sniffing the ground, dropping the ears, excessive licking or yawning,  and disengagement. 

Less strenuous tricks work best for the older dog. These can include speak, high five, kiss, shake, walk backwards, retrieve a leash, put away toys, find it, and tuck themselves into bed. Of course, some older dogs, like some older people, are crotchety, and resist learning anything new. But most will enjoy learning a new trick or two given the right incentive.

If your senior dog is new to you, start by building trust and creating a strong friendship with your canine. Senior dogs are usually happy to have a loving home and are anxious to please their new owners. Even dogs that have been with a family since puppyhood will relish more time with their guardians engaging in novel activities. In fact, for most dogs, young or old, the best thing about being taught new tricks is simply having quality time with their human friends.

Just like humans, dogs are above all else a social animal. Being social for them is as essential as being active mentally and physically. Unfortunately, older dogs can become socially marginalized especially if there are others at home, like children and younger pets, who are always seeking out social engagement.  By taking the time to concentrate on them, teaching an old dog new tricks is a way to make sure that they aren’t lonely or isolated. Time shared while learning a trick will deepen your bond, provide mental stimulation, and offer you endorphins as well.

On the practical side, here are some helpful tips for training a senior dog to learn a new trick.

• Always exercise first to wear them out.

• Start with a single trick.

• Use positive reinforcement by rewarding with small treats and lots of praise.

• Avoid negative reinforcement (better to ignore undesirable behavior).

• Take breaks. 

• Be patient.

• Be consistent.

• Practice often.

• Always recognize and respect your dog’s limits.

Though it may take longer for older dogs to learn new tricks, studies show senior dogs bring some advantages of their own to the training table. Researchers at the University of Vienna’s Clever Dog Lab found that it took twice as many repetitions for 10-year-old dogs to learn new tasks, compared to 6-month-old puppies. But they also found that older dogs outperformed the young pups in logic and reasoning tasks and found no age difference in a dog’s ability to retain their training. In other words, science tells us that you actually can teach old dogs new tricks. It just might take a little more patience and time together, creating memories you’ll keep with you for life.

So while your older dog may never learn to do the cha-cha or the waltz, consider teaching him something that will benefit you and your canine both. It could be a new trick or even something as silly as doing the Time Warp together. It’s just a jump to the left and then a step to the right, put your hands on your hips, and pull your knees in tight…then offer a treat. 

Remember, the important thing is to keep moving and learning. Who knows what new tricks the two of you will create together?