Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club

My Lab Harry is almost 11 ½ years old. He’s never been a very energetic dog – as I’ve commented to my classes, his heeling in the obedience ring was like dragging around a reluctant sack of potatoes!

Recently it’s become obvious that age is wearying Harry even more. Our walks are shorter and if we’re out for too long then I almost have to carry him home.
 
However, this hasn’t stopped him wanting to play chase back home. Nor has it meant that he’s forgotten his training. And the other day I proved that you can teach an old dog a new trick!

I was brushing Harry after our walk and he was pawing me to hurry up (he gets fed after his brush) when I thought I’d take advantage of the pawing and teach him to Shake. Every time he pawed me, I said “Shake”, grabbed his paw, gave it a shake and rewarded him with “Good dog” praise and pats.

Within only a few minutes Harry was shaking on com-mand and we had another trick to show off at the Club. Okay, okay, I know it’s a very basic trick and that some dogs are born knowing how to do it. But until the other day, Harry didn’t do it on command.

It may be an old trick, but it’s a new one for my old dog!
Robert Fairhead, Adult Beginners Class Instructor (April 2010)