Teach an Old Dog New Tricks – With a Clicker!

Whether you have adopted an older dog that needs some behavior modification, or you just want to teach your adult dog some new tricks, rest assured that mature dogs can be clicker trained. Just as people continue learning throughout their lives, so do dogs.

Video: Teaching an Old Dog

Clicker trainers suggest that older dogs may be a little slower in learning what clicker training is all about. An adopted dog may need to unlearn old behaviors as he is learning your new desired behaviors. And older dogs have developed interests, such as sniffing the ground or chasing other animals, that may distract them from clicker training. So just have a little patience as your dog tries to figure out what you want and becomes familiar with the click-and-treat method. The more skills and tricks he learns with the clicker method, the faster he’ll be able to learn.

Adopted dogs need to know basic obedience skills to have a harmonious relationship with their new owner. If your older dog has not learned sit, come, stay, down, and heel, you can teach him with clicker training. However, he may have had negative training experiences and will not want to pay attention to you. To get your dog’s attention, watch the dog and pay total attention to him until he looks at you. Click and treat. Repeat this several times, and your dog will be ready to focus on you and clicker training.

Retraining an older dog can be challenging, because they are not only having to learn what not to do, but also learn what you want them to do. With time and patience, you can successfully retrain your dog by clicker training. Instead of reprimanding him for behaviors he has learned in the past, use positive reinforcement clicker training to teach desired behaviors. For example, if your dog wants to jump on your bed to sleep at night and you want him to sleep in his own bed, do not reprimand him for jumping on your bed. Instead, lead him to his bed and tell him “down” and “stay.” When he does, click and treat. Each time he comes to your bed, calmly lead him to his bed and tell him “down” and “stay.” Repeat the click-and-treat training as many times as necessary until your dog understands he’ll be rewarded for staying in his bed but he won’t be rewarded for jumping on yours.

Be consistent and confident, stay positive, have patience, and above all, have fun training your older dog new skills and activities. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!