We get it; puppies are adorable. With their youthful playfulness and the excitement of watching them grow older, why they get easily adopted is a no-brainer. But before you make your decision, here are a few reasons why you should consider adopting a senior dog!
Senior Dogs are house broken and possibly trained
While puppies are a joy to raise, they can be quite a handful, especially when it comes to housebreaking. Meanwhile, senior dogs usually come trained and understand at least basic cues such as sit, stay, come, and down. So, for first-time pet owners or those who want to save time on training, adopting a senior dog may be a great idea!
Senior Dogs have stopped growing in size
Many of the dogs you find in a shelter are mixed breed, which means that there’s usually no way of knowing how big they’ll eventually get. If you don’t have enough space in your home, ending with a dog that grows more than you expected them to can be a bit of an inconvenience. This isn’t a problem you’ll encounter in senior dogs, as they’re already fully grown by the time you meet them.
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Senior dogs are more relaxed
Puppies and younger dogs have loads of energy, which can also lead to a lot of destruction as they explore their surroundings. Anything and everything can be a chew toy!
Senior dogs, on the other hand, have outgrown those habits. While they may still be energetic, they no longer need to investigate every new object, spot, or person in the room. In fact, research has shown that as they get older, a dog’s desire to explore new objects and situations lessens.
Senior dogs need less supervision
Already trained and generally calmer, senior dogs won’t require you to keep an eye on them around the clock. They’ll be more than happy to nap on the couch as you watch TV or run your errands!
You give them a second home
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA, senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate, which is less than half of the rate for younger dogs and puppies. Often, people assume that older dogs have been given up due to behavioral or health issues, but that’s not always the case. In fact, president of PetSmart Charities Aimee Gilbreath says that this is usually because their previous families “are unable to keep them due to lifestyle changes such as a move, new infant, or change in marital status.”
Most senior dogs have had a home for a majority of their lives. By adopting them, you give them another chance to be a part of and lo
Image source: Pexelsve a family!
When you adopt, you save a life. But that is even truer with senior dogs, who deserve our love and affection as much as puppies and younger dogs do. So, if you’re looking for a new addition to your family – one that’s sure to fit right in – why not adopt a senior dog?
