October 14, 2009Comments are closed.adoptions
Love this from Pet Connection today:
Time to adopt? An adult dog is a great choice!
Puppies are overrated. I say that after spending the last six months working on raising one who’s still a work in progress. Faith is a darling, bright retriever who is as good a puppy as anyone could ever hope for. I love her! But after piddle puddles, chewed headphones and all the normal silliness and mess that go along with raising a puppy, I’m reminded why most of the dogs who’ve ended up as part of my family have come into my home as adults.
October is Adopt-a-Dog month, and that also reminds me why, when people with a lot on their plates ask me about getting a puppy, I encourage them to consider a grown dog instead. Chosen carefully, an adult dog will be well past puppy foolishness and may have had some basic obedience training. Unlike puppies, who need constant monitoring, an adult dog should be able to be left alone while a family is at work or school after a much shorter period of training and re-adjustment.
For today’s time-crunched households, there’s no better deal than a good adult dog.
Everyone loves puppies and they generally have good luck being adopted into new homes. However, for many families a more mature pet is actually a much better choice. Here are the top 5 reasons to consider an adult when you’re shopping for your perfect new dog!
1. You’ll know what sized collar to buy
The first and most obviously benefit when choosing an adult dog is that you don’t have to guess how small or large they’re going to turn out.
While we all love a great aussie mutt, it can be hard to judge their final size; especially if ‘dad’ is an unknown quantity. An adult dog is a great choice for people with kids, who are looking for that ‘medium’ size that is neither too fragile, nor too boof.
2. They’re less galloping maniac
Puppies are cute. They’re also messy, destructive, frustrating and often, boisterous and mouthy. They’ll need to be toilet trained, meaning making arrangements for when you’re at work and likely limiting your social outings until your ‘baby’ is a bit older.
Adult dogs are nearly always housebroken, and you can quickly assess (or you can discuss with your rescue group) whether they know some basic obedience, can walk on lead and are friendly and good with other dogs.
Adult dogs are used to ‘people schedules’ and will usually sleep the day away when you’re at work, then be happy to curl up next to you on the sofa or at your feet in the evenings. Boundless puppy energy is cute for exactly 4 minutes; after that you’ll wonder if it’s too late to swap him for a goldfish.
3. They’ll bond with you just the same
People often say they only want a puppy because they believe that older dogs won’t bond with you. Anyone who’s taken on an adult dog will know that this is simply untrue.
Dogs, like people have an enormous capacity to adapt and an even more enormous capacity to love. If you provide a safe, nurturing environment for your dog, he will bond with you just as strongly as any puppy. What’s more, many rescue dog owners report that their pet is much more grateful for the love he gets, than any silver spoon, spoilt pup.
4. You’ll know who you’re getting
Many a pup has found himself abandoned because he grew into the wrong dog personality type for his home. As adult dogs already have an established personality, adopting one lets you make an accurate assessment and allows you to pick the best match for your living situation.
Do you want friendly and outgoing, or calm and loyal? Bouncy and enthusiastic, or laid back and happy to chill. Or a little of all of these? A reputable rescue group will take the time to assess you, your living arrangements and expectations. They’ll also assess the dogs personality and match him with his perfect home.
5. You’ll be a hero
While puppies tend to zoom out of shelters, adults can wait weeks and months for a compassionate new owner to come along and adopt them. Sometimes they don’t come at all.
Leave the puppies for another family and instead take the time to get to know the adults who are in care. They need you much, much more; in fact you’ll be saving their life.
