Dog Training Tip of the Day-Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?
April 23, 2010 by Dog Trainer Filed under Dog Training
Nikko is a 10 year old American Pit Bull Terrier. Our challenge was teach Nikko the speak cue. Nikko didn’t know what the word meant in the beginning. After all, dogs do not speak English. This is not a dog training tutorial. I created this video for a friend and to illustrate that any healthy, normal older dog this is physically able, CAN learn new tricks with the use of positive reinforcement and clicker training. ***Note: I used lots of high-pitched praise because this is one of Neko’s motivators, along with cheese. However, in a normal clicker training session, it is best to avoid making too much “white noise.” Also, when teaching a dog to speak on cue, it is VERY important to capture the behavior when there is no underlying emotion present. In other words, DO NOT praise a dog or puppy for barking at other people, dogs, or animals.*** Special thanks to Josh Woodward for his song, “Omaha.”
I love this video for 2 reasons, it debunks 2 myths. You, most obviously, CAN teach an old dog NEW tricks. AND American Pit Bull Terriers aren’t mean, agressive, bad dogs that no one can control. Great job Ashley! Awesome!!!
haha that dog was havin so much fun
I wish I had realized to vary my position sooner (though I normally move around the room)! I made the connection this weekend that Sirius only “takes a bow” if I’m sitting on the floor! Now we are working on me sitting in a chair, and standing while asking him to bow. He’s catching on but for a while was QUITE certain I should be in the floor for it to be totally affective
Thanks for the tip and fabulous video!!
5 stars!
Cool, looks like my dog Skip is used to the clicker itself now. Training him to pay attention to me now when I call his name. =] Thanks for the tips!
@oODanielSanOo Yes. Never click next to the dog’s head or face. Also, move around the room and put yourself in different positions (like sit, stand, ect). Remember, one click ALWAYS equals one treat. Have fun and happy clicking!
When getting them used to the clicker, any tips?
Nicely demonstrated Ashley! It’s so nice to see how the behaviour was shaped incrementally.
You are inspirational.
Great work.
Cheers
B.Champagne
@zakgeorge21 Thank you so much for the nice comment:).
Loved it !
5* indeed
pawsome video!!loved it!!!:)
What a sweet dog
He was so happy the whole time and now he will know a new trick thanks to you 
This is just amazing! You are so good dog trainer and now I understand very well, how to teach the command “speak” for dogs. By the way Nikko wag his little tail so quickly, it’s so cute!
This dog is so clever! He got the idea in such a short time! You are a wonderful trainer too!
aaaaaaaaah I looooooooove Pit Bulls! Thank you for showing everyone, such a wonderful dog. AEh no I mean that older dogs can learn new tricks!
Awesome Awesome Video “5″ and fav
lovely! great work 5*
That was fabulous, he learns so fast! I wish I had been able to tape the process with Mi, it’s so fun to see them in the learning process. I love the way their eyes light up when they start to get it!
Lovely job. Great dog. Great training! I’m very proud of how awesome you are!
Zak
@kikopup Thank you so much Emily:)! Nikko was so much fun to train with:).
@justjesse198 Thank you:). I use Adobe Premiere 4.0
@KingKiaJames No, the other barking belongs to two other APBT:).
beautiful concentration on you! he has his eyes on you the whole time.
Is that kaine in the backround barking at the same time?