An older pet is a more suitable pet for many situations,
like busy households where time, attention and patience are already being
consumed by children. There are several advantages to older dogs that
many prospective pet owners do not realize:
• Older dogs have already gone through the teething stage. Chances
are slim that you'll lose your favorite shoes or remote control to them.
• Older dogs sleep quietly through the night. You won't be woken
up at 4 a.m. by a crying puppy.
• Adult dogs allow for more time to live your life and relax. Adult
dogs require less time and attention once they've adjusted to your family
and household routine, although you'll still need to spend time helping
your new dog with the transition to his new home.
• They are housebroken. With most family members gone 8 hours a
day, an older dog can “hold it” much more reliably than a
puppy and for longer periods of time.
• Adult dogs have already become who they are going to be. Adult
dogs already have developed personalities. Puppies are playful and still
growing and changing. How a puppy behaves in a kennel, shelter or pet
shop doesn't dictate whether it will be a well-behaved companion as it
ages. Whereas with adult dogs, if you pick large or small, active or couch
potato, goofy or brilliant, sweet or sassy—what you see is what
you get.
• Most older dogs have been there, done that and moved on. They
aren't still nippy or biting because they are teething.
• Adult dogs become an instant companion. Older dogs are ready to
be your buddy right away. There's no waiting for them to grow up. You
can select a dog that already likes to do what you like to do.
• Adult dogs are easier to train than young puppies because they
have longer attention spans. From one year to 18 months, a dog can learn
quickly, have more coordination and control over their physical functions
and have more predictable natures.
• Adult dogs are generally more predictable. When adopting an adult
dog, you already know it's full size, health and real personality.
Don't discount a dog that is approaching senior
age. Even an 8 year old dog likely has many more good years to give you.
A senior dog often offers the sweetest rewards.
Keep in mind, though, that some adult dogs may have
very negative memories of humans who mistreated them and need extra time
to adjust and learn to trust. Still, the majority of adult dogs can bond
with their new families as deeply as puppies raised from puppyhood.
For more information on adopting a senior dog, visit
www.srdogs.com.
