Things About Adopting A Senior Dog From A Shelter
Things About Adopting a Senior Dog From A Shelter
Adopting a senior dog from a shelter probably didn’t cross your mind right up to this point. Yet, here you are. As a potential dog parent, you’re aware of its challenges, but did you know there’s more to this decision than most dog companions realize?
This article will go over five things you likely didn’t know about adopting a senior dog from a shelter.
1 – Most senior dogs in shelters are there not because they’re unruly or “problem” animals.
Let’s get things started by putting an end to the stereotype that older dogs find themselves in a shelter because of behavioural issues. The vast majority of senior dogs surrendered to or picked up by animal shelters are there because their guardians can no longer care for them, whether due to illness, moving, death, or other reasons.
So, the thought of adopting them is, by itself, noble enough. On a practical level, it also means that you’re likely getting a dog who is already house trained, knows basic commands, and is past the destructive chewing and barking phases.
Regardless of age, dogs will always be man’s best friend, so there’s no reason to ignore the prospect of giving an older dog a loving home.
2 – Senior dogs often make the best pets.
Senior dogs are often some of the best pets around. They already have an established personality and are less rambunctious than younger dogs. They’re also typically more grateful for the love and attention you give them since they may have been neglected or ignored in the past.
Even if they’re less energetic than pups, senior dogs always look forward to the usual stuff, i.e., long walks, a day at the beach, and plenty of belly rubs.
When Mila chose a nine-year-old Frenchie named Bobo from a shelter, she had no idea what an amazing addition he would be to her family. “Bobo’s the most laid-back dog I met,” she says. “I think it’s because he’s already gone through all puppy stages and is now just enjoying life.” Her small New York apartment was perfect, too, as Bobo never wanted anything more than all-day cuddling sessions on the couch.
3 – Adopting an older dog means more time having fun and less training.
One of the great things about adopting a senior dog is that you typically don’t have to spend as much time training them. Most of them are already well-disciplined, considering their age. As mentioned earlier, you don’t worry about destructive chewing and constant barking.
So, once you’ve brought your new furry friend home, you immediately play the role of a dog companion instead of being an alpha leader. This is especially beneficial if you don’t have a lot of time to train your dog; let’s face it, who doesn’t want to spend more time having fun with their four-legged companions? Take long walks, go to the dog park, or relax on the couch – your senior dog will be more than happy to spend time with you.
4 – Senior dogs from shelters are the perfect pets for first-time owners.
If you’re a first-time pet owner, there’s no better option for you than a senior dog from a shelter. Aside from already being housetrained, they’re also more forgiving of beginner mistakes. They’re not as demanding physically or behaviorally as puppies, so they make an excellent choice for those still learning the ropes when it comes to pet care.
“I was a little hesitant about adopting a dog because I wasn’t sure how well I could take care of one,” recalls Sandy, who adopted a seven-year-old mutt from her local shelter. “But I’m so glad I did. The staff at the shelter were incredibly helpful in teaching me how to train him and gave me a lot of great tips on how to make him feel comfortable in his new home.”
5 – You can teach old dogs new tricks.
We couldn’t finish this talk without discussing an age-old misconception that senior dogs can no longer be taught new tricks. On the contrary, most senior dogs love to learn and are more than capable of doing so. Many of them are even better at picking up commands than puppies because they have a longer attention span and are less likely to get distracted.
If you’re a would-be dog companion with high hopes of impressing your friends with your buddy’s tricks, a senior dog is a perfect pet for you. As long as you’re committed and persistent, even an old dog will eventually be able to roll over and play dead on cue! Just be prepared to have a lot of fun while learning together.
So, these are five things you probably didn’t know about adopting a senior dog from a shelter. Sadly, some people don’t even consider it, knowing that older canines deserve as much love and a new home as any other dog. We hope that after reading this, you’ll be feeling even more inclined to do so – they make amazing pets!
