Idiom

You cant teach an old dog new tricks

What does "You cant teach an old dog new tricks" mean?

Once animals (and people) are set in their ways they struggle to assimilate new ideas.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Britain, 16th century proverb. One of the oldest proverbs in English.

Once animals (and people) are set in their ways they struggle to assimilate new ideas.

Worldwide, but like many proverbs, now mostly used by the older generation.

  • I tried to learn Mandarin after I retired but I got nowhere with it. I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.