Old Dog, New Tricks - A Hidden Gem on Netflix

I stumbled upon Old Dog, New Tricks (Animal) completely by chance, and I ended up loving it. It’s one of those shows that quietly appears on Netflix with little promotion but absolutely deserves more attention.

A Comedy With Heart

This series is genuinely funny, but it also has a lot of warmth and emotional depth. The humor feels natural, driven mostly by the characters and the situations they find themselves in rather than by forced jokes.

At the center of the story is Antón (Luis Zahera), an old-school vet who spent his life working with cattle and farm animals. Because of the bad economy, he’s forced to take a job at a fancy pet clinic — exactly the kind of environment he can’t stand.

He’s sarcastic, moody, stubborn, and often grumpy, but underneath all of that, he has a good heart. That balance makes him incredibly likable.

Why Antón Feels So Relatable

If you’re a millennial, there’s a good chance you’ll relate to Antón more than expected.

The show captures that uncomfortable feeling of trying to fit into a world that suddenly seems to operate under completely different values and rules.

Antón constantly feels out of place among younger generations and modern pet culture, and the series handles that conflict with both humor and sensitivity.

More Than Just a Pet Comedy

What makes the show interesting is that it’s not only about animals or veterinary work.

Antón strongly disagrees with the way many pet owners treat animals as extensions of themselves or luxury accessories. To him, pets are still animals with their own needs — not creatures that need Swarovski crystal collars and designer lifestyles.

The show never becomes preachy, but it quietly raises interesting questions about modern society, consumerism, and how people project themselves onto their pets.

You’ll laugh a lot, but you may also find yourself thinking about some of these topics afterward.

The Best Relationship in the Show

One of my favorite parts of the series was the relationship between Antón and his niece, Uxía (Lucía Caraballo).

Their bonding is genuinely delightful to watch. They come from very different generations and perspectives, yet the show beautifully shows how much they can still learn from each other.

Those moments give the series a lot of emotional warmth and help balance Antón’s rough personality.

Final Thoughts

Old Dog, New Tricks is a smart, funny, and surprisingly touching comedy that deserved far more publicity than it received.

I truly recommend giving it a chance.

I would love to see a second season, but the way the story wraps everything up makes me doubt it will happen — which honestly makes me a little sad.

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