When adopting a dog, most people overlook seniors and opt for a puppy instead. In doing so, they often miss out on the rewards that come with a senior dog. Adopting a senior dog is a great choice for first-timers, helping them familiarize themselves with the pet without having to train them from scratch. That’s not all. Senior dogs can also bring a new and unique kind of joy to pet parents.
Benefits of adopting senior dog
They have already been housebroken
It’s rare that an adult dog has not been housebroken, that is, trained to eliminate in a designated area such as the toilet, an absorbent pad, or outdoors. This helps new pet parents skip all of the mess and clean up that would be associated with adopting a young pup.
Senior dogs may have a calmer temperament
Unlike puppies, who are filled with energy, senior dogs tend to be much calmer. Not only are they less likely to explore closed-off areas, but they also wouldn’t chew on furniture, clothes, and upholstery as they are past their teething days. While they still have the energy to play with their parents and caretakers, they are not as destructive as their younger counterparts.
They have already been trained
While the level of training each dog has undergone can vary significantly, most senior dogs are adept at understanding basic commands such as “Sit” and “Stay.” This can be a major benefit, especially for first-time adopters. Additionally, older dogs that have had exposure to training in the past may also be more receptive to learning new commands or picking up command cues, helping pet parents immensely.
It can be easier to care for senior dogs
Adopting a pet requires a lot of time, energy, love, and money. Raising them from their nascent stages can feel like a full-time job, one that often overwhelms first-time pet parents. Senior dogs offer a wonderful way out of this conundrum, as most of them come with some level of training. Since they have also been housebroken, they are less likely to stir havoc around the home. Most of them do not need to be supervised around the clock either, further reducing the hassle.
Pet parents can bond with them quickly
Older dogs have likely been socialized by their previous owners or at the shelter, so they tend to interact better with other dogs and humans. This makes it easier for adopters to bond with them. Senior dogs tend to see their adopters as lifesavers, which makes them more eager to show their affection (in the form of cuddles and licks) and settle into their new home. That being said, senior dogs also have a fully developed sense of self, so it may be a good idea to get a better understanding of it from the rescue or shelter one is adopting them from.
Adopting senior dogs may help save money
In many places, adoption centers may be willing to waive adoption fees for senior dogs that are 6 years and older. Since senior dogs have reached the peak of their growth, pet parents can save on accessories like playpens, dog beds, etc. Adopters can also save more on vet costs, as the initial care fees for young puppies can run up to thousands of dollars.
Tips to adopt a senior dog
Start the search
Those looking to adopt a dog can begin their search at municipal or county shelters, rescue centers, and sanctuaries near them. A simple browser search with the term “adopt senior dog near me” may also help yield location-specific results. Adopters can further refine this search by adding specifications such as age, breed, and gender.
It is important to note that listings change daily, so those looking to adopt a pet may benefit from regular check-ins with the shelter’s website, social media, or resource person.
Consider time
When reaching out over the phone or online, smaller rescue shelters can take a considerable amount of time to reply, as they don’t always have the staff or volunteers to take care of the communication. Start by sending out a message or email, and follow it up with a phone call if they do not respond. Those looking to adopt a dog quickly (and often within the same day), must visit during the adoption hours held at the shelter.
Compare shelters and costs
Adoption is not always free of charge. Make it a point to compare local organizations regarding factors such as their adoption processes and fees, needs of the dogs in their care, behavioral evaluation of the dog before adoption, support offered after adoption, etc.
Find the right match
To help adopters find the right match, many shelters may put forth detailed questionnaires seeking responses regarding how one plans to care for their pet, one’s home, lifestyle, work schedule, family members, frequent visitors, other pets, etc. They may also allow individuals to spend time with the dogs in their kennels or take them out for walks to help them bond better. Some even run foster-to-adopt programs, giving individuals enough time to understand how the pet would fit into their lives.