It’s very likely that when you visit a kennel or animal shelter you come across dogs that are considered “old”. While it may be tempting to adopt a cute puppy, sometimes even senior dogs have a lot to offer.
Don’t overlook the senior🇧🇷 think if adopt an older dog it could be for you.
At what age is a dog senior?
If we call the 50-year-old man “senior,” these dog breeds would be considered old at the following ages:
Adopting an elderly dog: useful advice
There are a number of reasons a senior dog is in the shelter, including:
- often the owners are also advanced in age and cannot take care of their pet as they would like;
- a dog has passed from owner to owner in recent years; another was not suited to a new family dynamic (such as the arrival of a newborn).
Most often the reasons arise from a change in the owner’s circumstances.
Senior dogs have a lot to offer and often require less training and care than puppies or young dogs. Here are just some of the pro and gods versus about adopting an older dog.
Training
Pro: Older dogs are often house trained. They can also understand some basic commands and show a level of obedience. Their ability to walk on leash and obedience to calls outdoors is determined by their training.
Versus: mistakenly we tend to think that an old dog is not able to learn new tricks. However, some senior dogs can be stubborn and may not be as eager to learn new commands!
Personality and temperament
Pro: An older dog’s temperament and behavior will not change as it can with a puppy. You may even find that once your dog senior he has settled in, is calmer and less restless than a young dog.
Versus: The fact that an older dog is obsessed with his habits is not always a good thing. Aging dogs may be rigid in their routines and protest when their behavior pattern is changed.
Physical exercise
Pro: If you don’t like exercise or don’t have the time to take your dog for long walks, it might help if he’s in his toddler years. senior. Like humans, older dogs simply don’t have the energy of a younger dog!
Versus: If you like exercise, the old dog may not be for you due to the reasons highlighted above! The canine granny is also less likely to want to play, which isn’t ideal for young children who want to play with their pet.
10 simple exercises to do with your dog at home
Salute
Adopting a senior dog — especially one from a shelter — means they will already be properly vaccinated. His body is also much stronger than a puppy. However, older dogs, just like people, are more prone to illnesses, and depending on the breed of dog, some can be life-threatening.
One of the major diseases affecting older dogs is arthritis. Proper nutrition is vital for older dogs.
Discussions with the shelter reveal health or behavior issues that will help you make your choice. Facility staff will tell you, for example, if your pet has been mistreated, because sometimes mistreatment can distort behavior: He may hate being left alone or he may be terrified of confined spaces.
Armed with this information, you can make your adopted senior dog’s life so much better than it was!
What do you think? Would you like to adopt an elderly dog?