You can teach old dogs new behaviors. It might take longer, but it’s definitely doable and if it makes your lives better or easier, well worth the effort. Now, if you have a ten year old dog who’s been barking at the neighbors his whole life, we first have to deprogram his current behavior and then substitute a new behavior instead. It takes time, consistency and patience. But most dogs want to please you, and if they understand what you want and see that you’re serious about it, they will adapt and major changes are definitely possible. In summary, with clear goals and consistent training, your older dog can be trained.