Behaviorists Kate LaSala and Sian Lawley-Rudd say older dogs can suddenly adopt new habits as they age. Why Your Dog Suddenly Picked Up a Strange New Habit

Those changes are not simply quirks; they reflect a mix of learning history, shifting needs and reactions to the animal’s surroundings, the trainers told Kinship in a piece exploring why senior dogs sometimes begin unfamiliar behaviours.

LaSala, identified in the article as a dog behaviorist and trainer, stressed that age does not erase a dog’s capacity to learn. “Older dogs often learn more quickly because they have a longer learning history of reinforcement and aren’t as distracted by their environment as puppies and younger dogs,” she said, pointing to the ways past experience helps an older animal link actions to outcomes. However, LaSala also noted that as dogs age, common behavioral changes can arise, including confusion, increased anxiety, and altered sleep patterns, which might indicate underlying health issues. Behavior Changes to Expect in Senior Dogs

Lawley-Rudd, described in the same piece as a dog trainer, said the pattern of new behaviours often follows changes in the dog’s life. “Sometimes, these changes happen because the environment changes, like a new house, a new baby, or even small changes to routine can all shape new behaviors,” she said, adding that emotional safety gives dogs room to show new interests. “When dogs feel emotionally safe, their personalities have more room to shine, and that’s often when these new hobbies appear.” She emphasized the importance of understanding these behavioral shifts as signals of potential problems, such as cognitive decline.

Those observations are illustrated by Bowie, an older dog mentioned by the behaviorists as an example of a pet whose daily routine and responses shifted with age. Bowie appears in the piece as a reminder that owners may notice novel habits in their senior animals without the change necessarily indicating a fixed decline.

The experts advise owners to consider context before reacting. Lawley-Rudd urged owners to diagnose motive rather than simply correct behaviour: “If a new habit crops up that you don’t love, like barking more, chewing, or attention-seeking, first ask why it’s happening before anything else.” Her point frames new behaviours as signals that can point to medical, sensory or environmental triggers. Indeed, large-scale research from projects such as the Dog Aging Project has reported that behavioral changes are very common in older dogs, with the vast majority experiencing at least one notable change, highlighting the need for careful evaluation by pet owners. Behavior problems in senior pets (Proceedings) – DVM360

Practical approaches to channel a senior dog’s energy and curiosity emerged in the same conversation. LaSala suggested activities that remain accessible to older dogs, recommending cognitive and low-impact pursuits: “You can do a dog scavenging hunt with hidden food around your home, do a low-impact online tricks class like teaching your dog to paint, or work on important skills like cooperative care for vet or grooming since older dogs tend to need more vet care.” These activities not only engage the dogs but also can alleviate some of the anxiety or confusion that might arise with age.

Behavior researchers have documented shifts in senior dogs’ behaviour and cognition as part of broader work on aging, with studies mapping changes such as reduced problem-solving and altered sociability. Reporting on those trends appears in outlets like Nature, which looks at personality change across the lifespan, and the broader Kinship explainer that collected the trainers’ perspectives.

LaSala and Lawley-Rudd both emphasised tone as well as technique. “When you approach it with empathy, you’re not just changing behavior, you’re strengthening trust,” Lawley-Rudd said, underscoring how management strategies can also preserve the bond between owner and pet. Following an appropriate veterinary exam to rule out pain or cognitive decline will further assist owners in effectively managing any sudden behavioral changes.

The behaviourists framed new habits as manageable responses rather than inevitabilities. Their advice in the Kinship piece combines gentle enrichment, attention to routine and a readiness to address underlying causes before resorting to punitive measures.

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