A Matter of Perspective

Learning New Things

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

According to US Dictionary (usdictionary.com), this phrase has been around for a very long time—and it doesn’t necessarily pertain to dogs. It actually refers to the challenges and perceived impossibility of teaching an older person—someone set in their ways—something new.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” suggests that it’s hard for older individuals to change their habits or learn new skills,” the website explains.

Speaking from personal experience—yeah, it is hard to learn new things. We get stuck in patterns, in ways of thinking and doing. These deeply rooted habits and behaviors are hard to break. Sometimes, it even feels impossible.

“The idiom portrays a general resistance to adapt to new situations or learn new ways, especially as one ages,” the site continues.

Interestingly, though, in my experience, it doesn’t just apply to older people. This resistance shows up in all kinds of folks. Sometimes it seems connected to culture or even where someone lives.

So we “old dogs” aren’t alone in this. Resistance to change or to learning new tricks is hardly new.

According to the website, the actual quote—“An olde dogge will learn no good tricks”—dates back to 1546 in England.

It also appears in Samuel Butler’s Notebooks (1912), though his writings date back to the late 19th century. His version reflected how widely accepted the idiom had become in both casual and formal English:

“Old dogs can’t learn new tricks, and old men can’t think new thoughts.”

I’m challenging that. I believe this “old dog” can learn new tricks. Sure, it’s harder to break some of the chains that have held us back—but I anticipate a breakthrough.

So while the phrase may feel permanently etched into our minds—“old people can’t learn new things”—I want to challenge both myself and any of you who feel stuck in your ways. Let’s break through. Let’s become the version of ourselves our hearts are calling for.