The need for senior pet adoption is great, as senior dogs are often overlooked in favor of puppies. Animal shelters are overwhelmed with senior dogs who need a chance. Senior dogs in shelters need homes as much as younger dogs do.
The advantages of adopting a senior dog are endless. From a steady temperament to them being calmer than puppies, senior dogs can open a world of love for you and your family.
Senior dogs can offer pet parents their companionship and loyalty. Puppies typically need to be trained to do those things. When looking in the shelter for a pet, do not just pass by the older dogs. Take them into consideration. They might be just what you need to make your home complete.
You will Receive More Information about the Senior Dog
When you adopt a senior dog from a shelter, there is more history there to discover. You will find out about their background and their temperament rather quickly. You will get to know how the dog can fit into your household and their activity level. Puppies, on the other hand, do not have much history.
It is always good to know about the dog prior to adoption. An older dog will come into your home already knowing how to play fetch, and they know how to take a walk with you. They are aware of how to behave, and they usually have had experience living with a family before coming to the shelter.
You Can Save a Life
Many people tend to go for the puppy when adopting because they will have more time with the pup than the senior dog. However, it takes a big heart to adopt an older dog because many of them, unfortunately, end up with a timestamp and are often euthanized just because they are not in demand the way puppies are.
Shelters are overcrowded, and they may euthanize an older dog to make room for younger ones, especially when the older dogs are not being adopted as quickly. When you bring home a senior dog from a shelter, you are not only providing them with a loving home and a chance to have a family, but you are most likely saving the dog’s life. When you adopt a senior dog, you indeed are a hero.
Training
Most older dogs are already trained or require very little training. Most senior dogs are acclimated to home and family life, and they know not to chew up the furniture or run around like a rambunctious puppy. Unfortunately, even though senior dogs tend to be calmer and better trained, they end up in shelters for one reason or another.
Senior dogs are already housebroken, and they are also well socialized. The puppy may need a little time to get used to their new surroundings, but when you bring a senior dog into your home, most of the work has already been done.
Puppies need a lot of training and work, and they necessitate special care that senior dogs do not. Puppies need to be potty trained, but senior dogs do not need the same amount of work. They already understand how to behave in a home.
Exercise
All dogs need exercise to keep their minds and bodies in a balanced, healthy state. However, senior dogs do not need as much stimulation as puppies. Puppies are always on the move, while senior dogs tend to be calmer and more subdued. That doesn’t mean they are exempt from playtime. They love to play fetch and take long walks with their human companion. They don’t make a big fuss or a mess in the house.
Some senior dogs have arthritis, so it is essential to watch the signs that your pooch might need a break or stop for the day. If you notice they are in pain, take shorter walks. Know your dog’s limitations.
Temperament
With senior dogs, most of the time, what you see is what you get. Their personalities have already developed, and they are easier to get acclimated to a new home. They already know if they can be in a house with a cat or another dog. The dog has had adequate obedience training, so they know how to get along with others.
Older dogs are more responsive to structure and routine. Most of the time, if you have a job to go to, they understand. Puppies tend to be more vocal when they do not understand something new.
However, some older dogs lived in a home where their pet parents did not work and were home all day. This history may make the adjustment period a little challenging, as your senior dog may have separation anxiety when you leave. It all depends on the environment they were exposed to before they ended up in the shelter.
Health
Some older dogs may have health problems like urinary tract infection, kidney disease, cardiovascular issues, or arthritis. When you adopt a senior dog, be ready for these issues to come up to prepare if you need to dispense medication or routine visits to the veterinarian and frequent bloodwork.
This scenario above is not to say that all senior dogs will have these problems, but you take care of a dog that needs you. Remain patient and compassionate, and you will get more love and loyalty than you ever dreamed possible.
New Tricks
Yes, you will be able to teach an older dog new tricks. Senior dogs tend to have a better attention span than puppies, and they are more likely to listen to your cues and directions. Dogs can be trained at any age, and senior dogs are just as intelligent as puppies.
Older dogs might be good for households with children because they are more laid back. They won’t be a problem for you or your kids. It is also fun to watch your children play with and love a dog. It is your child’s chance to help with the dog, and the dog becomes the heart of the family.
Conclusion
Providing a home and adopting a senior dog can be a wonderful experience. You are giving a dog a loving home when they did not have a chance in the shelter, and you are creating a safe place for the senior pup to stay for the last years of their life. If you recently brought a senior dog into your family and are looking for a vet, call Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital at 412-373-8580!