Old Dogs and New Tricks

The old adage, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” is just not true. It may seem improbable, but it’s not impossible. The difficulty lies not so much in learning the new, but unlearning the old. That is, provided the old needs forgotten. Remember, “What made you great, keeps you great.” To forget this is to reduce oneself to nothing, even less than nothing. (1Sam.15:17)

But as arduous as it is to train old “Rover” fresh techniques, it is even more grueling to teach new dogs old tricks. Young “Trixie” may have some cute little tricks up her paw; but the question is, will such antics bring a lasting delight to others, or are they potentially dangerous in the long run? Especially this is true as it relates to the next generation.

Pride can keep some of us “Old Dogs” from learning the new; but stubbornness can keep “Pups” from learning the old.