Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

When out walking with my girlfriend and her elderly Lab, the question of teaching old dogs new tricks circled in the recesses of my brain. Days later, the question wouldn’t leave me alone.

I called the most canine-savvy person I know, my friend Earlene Luke, former dog-show judge, handler, trainer, technical director of the movie Best in Show, and all around dog expert, and asked her the question: Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

13-year-old Sally investigating a turtle.

“Of course. Use a...