The Myth of “You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”
Sep 7
Written By Nathaniel Steele
We’ve all heard it—“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It’s one of those clichés that suggests seniors or experienced staff resist change. But what if the problem isn’t with the “old dog” at all? Maybe it’s not about teaching new tricks but recognizing that some of the tricks these dogs know are valuable in ways we’ve overlooked.
Yesterday morning, I witnessed something that made me rethink this myth. A woman was walking her dog, and they got into what looked like an argument. Yes, you read that right—an argument with a dog. If you have pets, you know what I mean. She said something, he barked back, his tail swishing furiously. She tapped him on the nose, and he kept barking as if to say, “I’m not done yet!” It wasn’t that he couldn’t learn; he just had something to say that wasn’t being heard.
And that brings me to an important point—when seniors seem resistant to change, maybe it’s not that they can’t learn or adapt. Maybe, just like that dog, they have something to say, and no one’s listening.
Why Seniors May Resist Change
1. Experience Breeds Caution
When you’ve been through enough fads, failed projects, and shifting priorities, you start to recognize patterns. Seniors aren’t always resisting change because they’re stuck in their ways; they might be pausing to ask, “Is this really necessary?” Their experience makes them cautious because they’ve seen things fail that were supposed to be revolutionary. Before dismissing that caution, maybe it’s worth asking what they see that you don’t.
2. It’s Not Always a “New Trick”
Sometimes, the “new” way of doing things isn’t all that new. It could be a rebranded version of something they’ve already tried—perhaps more than once. Their resistance might stem from recognizing that this isn’t innovation, but repetition. It’s not that they can’t learn a new trick, but that they’ve already mastered this one and understand its limitations.
3. Creativity Goes Both Ways
As my wife would say, “…and whose fault is that?” If your senior staff is disengaged or resistant, maybe it’s not them; maybe it’s you. Are you being creative enough in how you present change? Are you valuing their input? Sometimes, what looks like resistance is actually a failure in communication or collaboration. Maybe the trick isn’t to teach the “old dog” something new but to let them teach you something you’ve overlooked. Are you really listening to their bark?
4. The Role of Leadership in Change
Effective leadership involves knowing when to lead and when to listen. If your senior staff isn’t engaged, take a moment to ask yourself why. Have you created an environment where their wisdom is valued, or are you focused solely on the latest trends, leaving their experience on the sidelines? Good leaders know how to balance old and new, recognizing that the “tricks” seniors can teach may be exactly what your team needs to move forward.
Old Dogs Can Teach New and Old Tricks
The myth that seniors resist change because they can’t learn is just that—a myth. In truth, they’ve often mastered adaptability, having lived through more shifts in technology, workplace culture, and societal norms than many of their younger colleagues. And the reality is, old dogs can learn new tricks, just as they can teach old ones—tricks younger staff might not even realize they need.
So, the next time you’re implementing change and run into resistance, pause and ask yourself: Is it the change that’s the issue, or is there something valuable in that resistance? Maybe your senior staff is trying to tell you something. The question is—are you listening? Woof woof.
Old dogs may not always bark the loudest, but they usually know when there’s a wolf at the door.
Nathaniel Steele is an experienced writer with a strong background in conducting interviews and investigations within federal law enforcement. He creates engaging fiction, editorials, and narratives that explore American social experiences.