Sudden changes, whether the dog has collapsed or is now bleeding—in those cases, first aid definitely should come into play, and usually by a veterinarian.

Free-choice feeding could make your dog overweight. Some dogs can manage themselves well. They eat enough to be full. But as a whole, I would say most dogs need to be fed on a schedule.

I don't think dogs are ever too old to be trained. For many reasons, you may move to a new house; you may get new pets, you may have babies. Many things may change with your work schedule, and we're always evolving, and they need to be able to change along with us. And they want to please. And so find out what motivates them. Is it playing ball, is it food? And then be able to do something and reward them the way they like to be rewarded.