Good Reasons To Adopt A Senior Dog

According to most veterinarians, a dog falls into the “senior” category around age seven. The size of a dog, however, affects this categorization. Smaller dogs mature slower and become seniors later in life than larger dogs (see chart at the end of this article). Animal shelters and rescue organizations are filled with healthy and active senior dogs that are in need of a home.

When you’re thinking about picking up a dog from your local shelter, don’t look past the older dogs. They make great pets for a number of reasons.

1. Senior dogs at shelters need homes just as badly as younger dogs. Many older dogs were once owned and loved by someone. For whatever reason, they were given up or abandoned in a shelter and are in need of a home. Just like puppies and younger adoptable dogs, they make loyal and loving companions.

2. Adopting an older dog may save its life. Many people are quick to adopt puppies and younger dogs, often overlooking dogs over the age of five. Shelters are overcrowded, and unfortunately older dogs are among the first to be euthanized if they aren’t adopted in a timely manner. By adopting a senior dog, you are not only providing it with a better life but are also saving it from being put down.

3. Older dogs are not necessarily “problem dogs” as many tend to think. Senior dogs lose their homes for a variety of reasons, usually having nothing to do with their behavior or temperament, but most times due to the fact that their owners are unable to keep them for reasons including: the novelty of owning a dog wearing off, allergies, death of a guardian, a new baby, loss of a job, a move, change in work schedule, and various other lifestyle changes. These dogs need homes just as badly as young adoptees do, and they make wonderful companions.

4. Older dogs usually come trained and understand at least basic commands. Most older dogs are potty-trained and have mastered the basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down.” Adopting an already-trained dog will save you a lot of time and energy that you’d normally have to dedicate towards training a young dog.

5. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Dogs can be trained at any age, and older dogs are just as smart as younger ones. An important fact to remember is that older dogs have a greater attention span than a puppy, which make them easier to train.

6. You can adopt a purebred pet if you want. If you really love a certain breed of dog, chances are there’s a breed rescue club that can point you in the direction of older purebred pets in need of homes.

7. Older dogs are calmer and less energetic than younger dogs. An adult dog has graduated from the puppy stage and has a calmer, established demeanor and temperament, which will give you an instant idea of how he will fit into your household. Older dogs have all their adult teeth and are out of the energetic puppy phase, which will result in less chewing destruction to your home. Many of them do well with young children as they have a lower energy level and have possibly lived with them in their past homes.

8. Senior pets are great company for senior citizens. Many elderly people find the calm presence of an older pet very comforting. They appreciate having a companion who is also ‘getting up there’ in age, doesn’t mind hearing the same stories again and again, and is content to move through life at a slower speed.

9. Older dogs make instant companions. Unlike a puppy, which requires leash training, etc. an older dog is ready to accompany you on a long walk and already knows how to play fetch. An adult dog will make a great workout partner, a loyal companion, and a late night snuggle buddy.

10. You can be a hero to a deserving dog. Almost without exception, people who adopt older animals feel a special sense of pride and purpose in opening their heart to a hard-to-place pet. Doing a good thing really does make you feel good!

If we take the proper steps to keep our senior dogs healthy, they can remain active and happy well into the equivalent of their 80s or 90s. This is a wonderful thing, because senior dogs also tend to be calmer and mellower, and less likely to suddenly develop bad behaviors or phobias because they’ve been around longer and have had a lot more experience than younger dogs.