Adopting an Older Dog

Most people looking for a dog think that they automatically want a puppy. In many ways, puppies are irresistible. A puppy is, of course, a wonderful thing. You can experience the joy of the puppy character and watch them grow into adulthood. But, depending on the breed, a puppy can be a handful. They need to be housebroken and trained, they tend to go through a chewing phase, and they have endless energy and lots of needs that must be met.

If you're looking for a new dog, you may want to consider adopting an older or adult dog. Mature pets can offer many advantages.

Won't you be adopting someone else's problems?
Older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons....most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.

Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian, not enough time for the dog, change in work schedule, new baby, need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed, kids going off to college, allergies, change in "lifestyle".  These are just some of the reasons people have surrendered their pets to PAWS.

 

 What advantages do older dogs have over puppies or young dogs? Older dogs who are offered for adoption by shelters or rescue agencies generally have had some training, both in obedience and house manners. Older dogs have learned what "no" means and how to leave the furniture, carpets, shoes, and other "chewables" alone. (If they hadn't learned that, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.) They have been "socialized" and learned what it takes to be part of a "pack" and to get along with humans and, in most cases, other dogs, and in some other cases, cats, as well. Older dogs, especially those who have once known it, appreciate love and attention and quickly learn what's expected of them to gain and keep that love and attention. Older dogs know how to let you finish the newspaper, sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers. They are also instant companions, ready for hiking, riding in the car, walking on leash, fetching, etc.Finally, older dogs are a "known commodity." They are easy to assess for behavior and temperament, and you also don't have to guess how big they'll grow.

 

Ia there any good reason to adopt an older dog instead of a puppy, who has his whole life ahead of him?  By adopting an older dog, we can make a statement about compassion and the value of all life at all ages, as well as register a protest against the indiscriminate and inhumane breeding of dogs, whether it is for profit or to "teach the children about birth." And, of course, just as a puppy has his whole life ahead of him, so does an older dog have the rest of his life in front of him. You can give that older dog the best years of his life while at the same time bringing a wonderful addition into your family.

 

Do older dogs have any "special needs"?
With a health assessment of the dog, you will know whether any age-related conditions are present and you can take appropriate measures to address them. Otherwise, older dogs need all the things younger dogs do -- good nutrition, exercise (although less intensive, usually, than for a younger dog), and regular visits to the vet.

Isn't it true that you can't train an older dog the way you can train a puppy?
Dogs can be trained at any age. The old adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," just isn't true.

 

 

You just lost your old dog. What if you  lose another soon after you adopt him?
Grief is a very personal matter. Some people feel that giving a home to an older dog in need is a tribute to their former dog and actually eases their pain. Also, knowing that adoption has saved a dog from euthanasia and will allow her quality time for whatever period she has left, often enables people to focus on the positives and to deal better with loss.

Consider also that there are never any guarantees about length of life with any dog. Quality of time together can matter a great deal more than quantity.