It’s never too late to train a dog. Adult and senior dogs who have never had any formal, structured training can still grasp the idea of following instructions in order to obtain a reward. The trick to training an older dog (who may have picked up some bad manners over the years) is to teach him to think about what behaviors he should do to earn a reward and how to respond when he is asked to perform that behavior. The bigger reward of training, for both dog and human, is increased communication and bonding between pet and owner.

Although senior pets are able to learn and perform new behaviors, there are a few factors to be aware of. Many older dogs have difficulty with behaviors that require extensive stamina or strength, making tasks like competitive flyball or agility training unrealistic.

Senior pets also have possible changes in the brain associated with aging that can affect learning. One potential way to combat brain aging is to ask your veterinarian about adding fatty acids and brain health supplements to your dog’s diet, such as Neutricks, which may help with healthy brain aging. Finally, if your pet develops behavior changes in old age, don’t jump right to training, but consult with your veterinarian first, as some changes can be linked to medical issues that your veterinarian needs to address, such as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

As long as your dog is physically and mentally capable of performing the behavior and has the proper motivation, the benefits of training are endless and will provide you and your dog with a method of bonding and communicating that cannot be achieved otherwise.