There is no age at which a dog becomes untrainable; dogs can learn new skills and change behaviors throughout their lives, from puppyhood to senior years, though older dogs might need more patience due to deeply set habits or potential age-related limitations like hearing loss, but they remain capable learners. Consistent, positive training can overcome deeply ingrained behaviors, making any age a good time to teach new commands or correct problems, emphasizing that age isn't a barrier to learning, just a factor in the approach.
This question is a common one, and the short answer is simple: a dog is never not trainable. While the popular saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" might make you think otherwise, the truth is that a dog's age has no bearing on its capacity to learn.
It's never too late to train a dog! While early training is beneficial, dogs of any age can learn new behaviors and commands. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience are key factors in successful dog training, regardless of the age of the dog.
Training Your Dog At Any Age. Training your dog is an important component of your bonding experience, regardless of their age. Whether you have a playful pup or a seasoned senior, you can always teach your dog new tricks! Here are some tips to help train your dog at any stage of their life.
Are Some Dogs Untrainable? While most dogs can learn with patience and consistency, a few might be very hard to train. Severe behavioral issues, trauma, or neurological problems can make training tough. These cases are rare. With the right techniques and professional help, most dogs with challenges can still learn.
10 Dog Breeds That Can Be Difficult to Train
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
The Hardest Dog Breeds to Train: Working with Difficult to Train...
Constructive disciplinary techniques such as removal, time outs, taking something of value away, ignoring behavior and interrupting negative behavior with a vocal interrupter.
The Hardest Tricks to Teach Your Dog
Studies show that dogs can understand around 165 words and gestures—some even up to 250 words, putting them at the intelligence level of a 2-year-old child.
“Remember, it's never too late to potty train,” says Dr. McGowan.
The Adolescent Phase (6–18 Months): The “Teenage” Challenge
Most trainers agree this is the hardest age to train a dog. Around six months, dogs hit adolescence—hormones surge, independence grows, and focus disappears. Commands they once knew suddenly seem optional, and testing boundaries becomes a daily habit.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
I still contend that all dogs can be trained and learn, but ONLY if the owner is willing to NOT spoil the dog in the first place, or “unspoil” the dog who is already spoiled. Sadly, if the owner is not willing to do what is necessary to train the dog, then yes, the dog will most likely be untrainable.
Some of the most common include:
The "heartbreak breed" typically refers to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their loving nature combined with a significantly shorter lifespan (around 7-10 years) and predisposition to serious heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Other breeds, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, are also called "heartbreak" dogs because of high cancer risks, while some owners find giant breeds or those with specific conditions, like Cavaliers and Pugs (heart issues), or Irish Wolfhounds (DCM), heartbreaking due to their health and mortality, despite their sweet disposition.
According to this study, the naughtiest dog breed is (drum roll please) the Japanese Spitz, with 86.67 hashtags or mentions noting unruly behavior. For those who haven't heard of this breed, they are tiny little white marshmallow fluff-balls who are cousins to the Pomeranians.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans.
After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain that stimulate a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your dog.
Walking also releases excess energy and helps dogs sleep better at night. With routines playing such an important part in human lives, it should come as no surprise that dogs also appreciate that same consistency.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
It's summer and Texas is HOT. We love this tip for testing the pavement when walking your dogs, courtesy of the Moon Valley Canine Training Center in Sonoma, Calif. Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog.
Normally, it takes 2-3 weeks for a dog to adjust to a new home, but it can take up to 3 months for them to fully adjust behaviourally.