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When thinking about dog adoption, many people imagine bringing home a furry, spanking new little pooch to grow up with their kids. Indeed, it’s a cute picture; however, most dog owners fail to realize the loads of work that actually come with raising a new puppy. Because younger dogs need plenty of exercise, training, and constant activity, rearing one is a whopping commitment. Consider, instead, giving a senior dog a second chance at living out his life with a loving, happy home.
Benefits of Opening your Heart to an Older Dog
Like puppies, adult and senior dogs also need a family. If you’re thinking about bringing home a new dog but you don’t have a ton of time to train them, then maybe getting a grown-up canine is the answer. Here are just a few of the reasons why bringing home an older dog could be just the answer!
1. Adult dogs already have good manners. More often than not, senior dogs have already spent years living and finding their feet with humans. Most of them have already been socialized, house trained, and given obedience training; thus, saving you from the hassles of teaching them how to behave properly.
2. They tend to be less destructive. Because most adult canines have already moved past the frustrating search and destroy puppyhood stage, you won’t find your much loved pair of sandals ripped to shreds or have to fix the couch leg your pooch has awfully chewed on.
3. Adult dogs are easier to care for. Since grown-up dogs no longer hold the wonder as to how large they might grow to be, what particular color their adult fur would be, or whether or not their physical condition will be healthy and hearty, caring for them often becomes stress-free. Unlike puppies, the older dogs’ predictability takes away the mystery of their growth and development.
4. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. Adult dogs are still capable of focusing on any task at hand. In fact, they tend to be more attentive and have more eagerness to please their masters as compared to their younger counterparts.
5. Older dogs are ideal for elderly people. Lots of senior citizens find the calm and gentle presence of an adult canine companion rather comforting. They appreciate the unruffled friendship of a grownup pet that is just as content as them to hear the same old stories over and over again and happily move through life without haste.
6. You can become a hero. Most people who adopt senior dogs feel that priceless sense of pride and purposefulness in welcoming lost and lonely animals into their life. Saving these hard-to-place dogs from misfortune can surely give you unparalleled delight.
Shannan
Feb 11, 2015 at 6:47 pm
I only take seniors, I feel they are the best. I adopted my black lab at 13. She just had her 17th birthday and is doing great!
Jada's Mom
Jan 7, 2014 at 12:52 pm
We recently adopted a 12 yo pit mix that had been in the shelter 10 years. She is a doll and, although out of a home 10 years, still remembered her potty training. We work alot and she likes to sleep alot so it is perfect. She also loves to play and acts like a pup with so much playful energy. She loves life and we love her. Seniors rule!
Amy
Feb 10, 2014 at 9:57 pm
wow, that is wonderful that you adopted a dog that had been in a shelter for 10 yrs. How sad that is but she must be thrilled to be in a home finally. You made my day
Heather
Dec 18, 2013 at 11:11 pm
We adopted a 12 year old Golden a Retriever three months ago. We already had two large dogs, a crippled Golden & a rescue Smooth Collie, both of whom were perfect. I couldn’t sleep the night before we got the third dog, worried that she wouldn’t fit in, that my husband would not want her, worried about her age, long story short, we adore her. She is so sweet, well behaved & has barely impacted our routine with the other dogs. I knew Ethel might not be re homed if we didn’t adopt her & still believe that. She has dormant cancerous rumors, four of which we removed that first week. The vet told us she has good strong blood & minimal arthritis. We look forward to keeping her happy & healthy for a good while to come! She HAS learned new tricks! She has learned to sit for treats when I use a hand signal & Aldo that going for a ride usually involves drive thru coffe with dog treats & hands on petting from the barista, who loves dogs. I will never overlook adopting an older dog again. While Ethel was a dog we were not looking for, I am so glad she found her way yo us & that we get to enjoy her sweet, loving, senior personality!
Karen
Apr 10, 2014 at 12:57 am
Do you live in WA State? It’s the only place I have been where the drive throughs for coffee and food offer dogs treats!! Absolutely LOVELY thing to do!!
Debbie Strickland
Dec 11, 2013 at 12:33 pm
My husband and I only adopt senior bassets. The youngest we’ve ever taken in was eight and the oldest was 15! We adore the older dogs, they are so easy to bring into your home, they are just so happy to have a place to rest their heads. You can almost see the gratitude in their eyes when they realize they have a safe and loving home. We may only have a year or two with them, but they are the best years of our lives.
Heather Adelhelm
Nov 4, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I adopted a 12 year old Golden Retriever two months ago. She had been neglected & had 9 cancerous tumors hanging off her body. She spent the first two days at my vets getting her health issues under control & now she looks like a much healthier dog! I never thought to adopt a senior dog before but have been so happy with this sweet & loving girl. She fits in beautifully with our other two dogs & has perfect manners, as befits an older lady. My son expressed fear of getting attached to an old dog but I told him DO get attached! Love her every second! Hopefully there will be many years to have her in our home.
Treerings88
May 31, 2013 at 5:59 pm
I adopted a 13 year old Bearded Collie, she lived with us until she passed away at 16 years old. Having raised 2 other dogs from puppies, our old Billie was a pleasure to bring into our home. She adapted well, and had the best last few years of her life living on an acreage, running in the woods and chasing my Shepherd for his toys. She gave him a good run for his money..lol
My other two dogs respected her and would help her when she got ill.
Adopting older dogs may cost you more in vet bills, but they need homes and they need our help. They appreicate your help and your love, and return it 10 fold.
I would adopt another senior dog any day.
Nicki Penaluna
Nov 13, 2012 at 9:34 am
Senior dogs are the VERY best. I adopted two elderly Dobermans. One was hardly able to walk . The love and devotion those two dogs gave me was incredible. It was as though they knew I had saved them. They loved their new life, and they loved me, unconditionally. They are long gone now but I still miss them both terribly. I will never forget them and the love they gave me. Adoption is for me now, always!