Q & A: Is My Dog Too Old For Obedience Class?

Question: Too Old For Training?

“My dog is thirteen years old, quite healthy, with no obvious physical defects.  I was refused enrollment in an obedience class by a woman trainer who said that a thirteen-year-old dog couldn’t be trained. This trainer is quite well known and has authored several books.  I simply cannot accept the fact that thirteen calendar years is a criteria for training. What do you think?”

Answer:

The best thing that I can recommend is that you enroll your dog in a class with a trainer that will accept a thirteen-year-old. If your dog is healthy and happy, I can see no better token of your love for the dog – and his for you – than to enroll together in an obedience class. In my opinion, a dog is never too old to learn.