Everyone loves playing with a puppy. From their little yips and nibbles to how cute they are, puppies are a pleasure. But they are a lot of work too.
There are many benefits to adopting an adult dog. Adopting an adult dog is a great choice for people who might not have experience training dogs before and are uncomfortable starting with a puppy. That’s not the only benefit though. There are plenty of benefits of adopting an adult dog!
Adult Dogs are Not Puppies
Many people who look to get a new dog for their home want to get a puppy. They are super cute, after all. Why wouldn’t you want to get a puppy? Well, there are a number of reasons why a puppy might not be a good choice.
- Puppies are cute, then they grow up.
- You don’t have the time for training.
- You may not have raised a dog before.
The list goes on. If you think you want a puppy because they are so cute, you’ll be in for a shock after a year goes by and you no longer have a tiny pet that curls up at the foot of the bed. You might have a giant beast that edges you out of bed in the middle of the night.
When you get a puppy, you don’t really know what you’re getting. While the surprise of their personality can be really fun to discover, you might be stuck with a dog that’s a bit too much for you to handle.
An Adult Dog Is Probably Housebroken
One of the benefits of adopting an adult dog is that they are likely already housebroken. Unless their previous owner took almost no responsibility for them, the dog is going to learn at least that they should be doing their business outside. A puppy will take much longer to train in this regard.
An Adult Dog Loves Just as Much as a Puppy
Movies and television have taught us that getting a puppy on Christmas day is like being showered in love. The benefit of a puppy’s ‘blank slate’ is that they only know how to love. But it’s not as though a puppy is able to show any more love than an adult dog could.
Actually, while a puppy seems to love anyone and anything, an adult dog is going to be a bit more choosey. An adult already has more understanding of the world. Because of this, they’ll know that you’re taking care of them and that you are giving them your love too. An adult can reciprocate in this regard. While a puppy will run around the house, an adult dog will probably be at your heels looking for your affection.
Adult Dogs Might Already Have Training
If you’re adopting an adult dog, there’s a good chance that they have learned at least a few things already. They’ve probably already learned that performing a command can earn them a reward. They may also already have a few commands like “sit” or “down” under their belt.
Dogs who already have a little bit of training will also be more receptive to a bit more training. They’ll already understand how rewards work and will know to look to you for commands and cues. That makes training much easier for dog owners.
Older Dogs Are Usually Calmer
Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they usually have bouts of high energy. If you are not prepared for this, you can get worn down pretty quickly. That said, an adult dog isn’t necessarily going to be a couch potato either. Adult dogs can have a lot of energy too. If you’re adopting a dog, the adoption agency will likely tell you know how active you can expect the dog to be. Before you adopt an adult dog, you’ll have access to their past records to see why they were surrendered and how they’ve been behaving at the shelter. This should give you a good idea of energy levels.
Age Is A State of Mind
Older dogs are usually calmer, but we all probably know an adult dog who took longer than normal to mature. Some dog breeds or specific dogs can really hang on to their puppy phase a lot longer than other dogs.
If you’re looking for an adult dog but you still want them to be very playful, you’ll likely be able to find them. Getting an older dog doesn’t mean you need to give up the activities you like to do. An adult will have the stamina to keep up with hikes or runs. Just remember to tend to their needs as well.
You May Have More Information About the Dog
If you’re adopting an adult dog, you can at least talk to someone about how they are. You can see if there is information about where they came from or why they were given up. You can also learn about their overall current health and mental state. This will allow you to make a much more informed decision as to who you bring home versus adopting a puppy with new, and thus unknown, behavior patterns.
Older Dogs Need Help Too
The last reason to adopt an adult dog is because they need help too. Most people want to adopt puppies because they want to be able to grow up with the dog. While there is nothing wrong with the belief, we can’t forget that there are so many adult dogs in shelters and rescues that need to be loved too. Many older dogs are passed over for younger and more energetic dogs. Adult dogs still have many years of love to give.
If you are considering adopting a dog, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider an adult dog. They may not be the ‘blank slate’ that many people are looking for when adopting a dog, but in many ways, they can be even better than getting a puppy.