Age

People often ask me - 'is my dog too old to learn'...whatever it is that they don't know. Or the sister question, 'is she too old to stop doing'...whatever it is that is driving them insane.

I say an emphatic 'probably not'. I've had many dogs between the ages of three and thirteen in class. One was a thirteen year old beagle who had lived in a kennel all its hunting life and now that it was too old to hunt, and living in a new home, the lady just wanted his focus on her, at least occasionally. Easier said than done, but thanks to a canvas dummy dribbled with deer urine, we managed to achieve attention!
A while back, I had a ten year old golden in class. The lady's new boyfriend didn't like a few of his behaviors. I said 'and we are keeping the boyfriend??' The boyfriend went by the wayside before class was over, but Gorgeous Golden learned some new things that pleased his mommy.
Six year old females appear in class, newly homed, fairly regularly. Well, because that is the age most breeders don't breed past. So, having outlived their usefulness, they are moved on. A lady with a six year old Brussels Griffon told me 'all I want her to do is play!'
We didn't quite achieve playful in eight weeks, but we did achieve interest and tail wag and I hope that play happened not long after.
Of course, ideally, puppy would be well socialized and well trained from the beginning. But. Life happens. So we move on and work with what we have.
Yes, your older dog can be taught new tricks - and you aren't too old to learn a few yourself.
Honest!