Friday 5: Five +1 reasons to adopt an older dog

Walter the foster dog may have found a home.  And the other night David and I were talking about our next foster.  He has got his eyes set on a certain dog.  He favors the 18 month range.  We have had all ages of foster dogs. We had an 14 week old and Walter is our oldest at 5-ish.  As for our own dogs, Chico is going on 15 this year and Poncho will be 5 this year too.

Poncho says " You show me who called you old" 

A few weeks ago while Walter was out at an Adoption Event, a kid walked up to him and asked about him. My heart about broke when the mom said Walter was to old and only had a few years left.  I really had to bit my lip to keep from saying something.  He is 5.  Yes for a Dane that is older, but not OLD!  I've heard of Danes living to be 12 and 13 years old.  And whats wrong with an older dog anyways?  He has by far, been the easiest of all our fosters!  Why?

1. The most common question I get is "Are they potty trained?"  Yes!  Most older dogs are already house trained.  No puppy pads and puddles on the floor.  So little presents scattered around the house.  I find that to be the hardest part about puppies.  They are messy little things.  Bigger dog, bigger messes.  And if they are not trained yet, say because they spent their life chained to a tree outside (just saying), older dogs are quicker to catch on.  


2. Chewing.  Enough said?  No one likes finding their favorite pair of sneakers shredded and in a pile of slobber.  Ever had to wrestle a 70lb puppy for a shoe the dog decided its a better chew toy for him than a shoe for the kid that has outgrown ever other pair of shoes you bought him?  Ever been woken from a deep nights sleep wondering why it sounds like someone is cutting a tree down only to find your kenneled puppy chewing on your window sills from between warped kennel bars?  Older dogs are done with that puppy teething stage.  They know bones are for chewing not dining chairs. 


3. Are you a napper?  Or maybe you have younger children?  Trying to put the baby down for a nap when the puppy is whining for your attention too.  Wait!  The puppy!  Where is that little thing? You put him in the kennel he cries.  You let him out to potty and when you let him back in he is peeing before you can shut the door.  Puppies are a full time job.  Yes the idea of your baby and the puppy growing up together is a fun idea.  But its like having 2 babies.  Are you ready for that?  We have all seen puppy energy right?  Older dogs are much more low key.  Much less energy needed.  And you will have a little more time to breathe and enjoy the new dog too!


4. Can you teach an old dog new tricks?  You better believe you can.  I find it has always been easier to teach the older boys things than any puppy I've ever had.  They have a more patience and know that when the treats come out its time to learn not time to play.  Which also helps get things done faster. Poncho learned "speak" in just an hour.  He also learned shake by watching the little one do it. Granted some dogs are more stubborn than others.  Just saying...CHICO!


5. You know what you are getting.  I can not tell you how many big dogs I have seen surrendered because they got this sweet little puppy that grew and grew. I kid you not!  I read once a lady was given the sweetest little hound dog.  Turned out to be a Great Dane and she needed to rehome him because he was to big for her.  With a full grown dog, what you see is what you get.    

And just because I love them so much, one more reason to adopt an older dog.  They need love too.  There are so many older dogs sitting in the shelter or getting over looked at rescue adoption events.  For what?  Do they not deserve to have homes too?  Or to be hugged and loved.  Imagine if we gave up on out human elders as people do to dogs.  Loving them for their last few years might be hard on you, but its worth it when you think of how much it must mean to them.  So when you are out looking for a new member of the family, don't pass up the older dogs.  Give them some love and let them show you some in return.  You wont regret it.

Have you adopted or fostered an older dog?  I know I'm not the only one who isn't crazy about puppies!

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