Don’t let search engine optimization intimidate you. SEO is the foundation for all of your online marketing efforts. And don’t try to sidestep this important issue by pulling out that old adage, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks because, guess what – you can!
Older dogs might not be as quick to learn new skills as they once were, but that doesn’t mean you can’t teach them at all.
The Science Behind Teaching Old Dogs
The folks at Hills Pet, the maker of premium pet food brands like Science Diet and Prescription Diet, discovered that researchers had, in fact, tested the possibility of old dogs learning new tricks. Drawing on an article that appeared in the journal Age, they say, “While declining health might prevent older dogs from being able to perform certain tasks, they still have the ability to learn new skills.”
You will probably need a little more patience if you want to teach a senior dog. The Dog People at Rover.com say you should also have a pocketful of treats. “Reward training is going to be the key for your adult dog to learn positive behaviors and reduce even a lifetime of bad manners,” they say.
Just remember that not all dog treats are created equal. “Your treats should be quality, something your special buddy particularly goes wild for,” they report.
What you are hoping to teach an old dog to do also factors in. Like all of us, time takes a toll on our dogs. Your aging four-legged friend may have arthritis in his joints, her vision might be clouded by cataracts and her hearing might be fading.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to teach them any new tricks. It just means that you will need to take those things into account. If a senior dog has arthritis, demanding physical skills or games aren’t going to be a good idea.
So, if a dog can still learn new skills there’s no reason why you can’t wrap your head around the concept of search engine optimization. Don’t worry, you don’t have to master all the technical details, that’s where the internet marketing pros at SEOJames come in!