The old saying "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" is only partly true. it should be "an old dog cannot be taught new tricks as quickly as a young one can" but any dog can be taught ! A puppy has fewer faults to correct. he has not been set in his ways. he has not been doing the wrong things untill they have become established as habits. the older untrained dog has been doing the wrong things all his life, not knowing it was wrong because his faults were never firmly pointed out to him. making him changing his view of life is a more difficult task. it can be done but it requires great patience and persistence. never lose your temper or your patience when training or teaching your dog.