Can old dogs learn new tricks? Find out now!
The effect of aging on cognitive processes such as learning, memory and logical reasoning have so far been studied almost exclusively in people.
Using a series of touchscreen tests, Lisa Wallis and Friederike Range of the Messerli Research Institute at Vetmeduni Vienna have now studied these domains in pet dogs of varying ages.
Older dogs learn more slowly and exhibit lower cognitive flexibility
The tests revealed differences in cognitive ability depending on the age of the dogs.
“Older dogs required more trials than younger ones before they were able to solve the task correctly. The test also showed that older dogs are less flexible in their way of thinking than younger ones. As in people, older dogs find it more difficult to change old habits or what they have learned,” explains Lisa Wallis, the study's first author.
Logical reasoning improves with age
“The older the dog, the better it performed, while younger dogs were unable to master this task. This is probably due to the fact that older dogs more stubbornly insist on what they have learned before and are less flexible than younger animals,” says Range.
The results of this study provide measures associated with normal cognitive aging in Border collies, and thus could be used as a basis for breed comparisons as well as early recognition and treatment of certain cognitive deficits.
It's pretty amazing that despite the myth, older dogs can still learn new tricks! Sure, it takes them a little longer to learn but they've still got their smarts! How impressive! Looks like dogs don't have an excuse now when it comes to learning new things! LOL!
For more information on this study, visit Science Daily.
