When considering getting a dog, many people will have an ideal scenario pictured in their heads.
Often it will involve a cute-as-a-button puppy running around their garden, being mischievous and providing boisterous fun for the family.
Yet it???s older dogs that need us the most.
Petplan??takes a look at why adopting an older dog could be the right decision when it comes to bringing a new pet into your home???
Why adoption?
Regardless of a dog???s age, adopting them from animal charities or rehoming centres and giving them a good home is a brilliant thing to do.
Often a change in circumstance for owners can result in an elderly dog being given to a rehoming centre.
Therefore, through no fault of their own, they are left to find a new forever home which can prove a little more difficult without those puppy dog eyes. Adopting from one of these charities or a rehoming centre will give these deserving dogs a loving new home and means they can live out their golden years in comfort and happiness.
Dog rehoming centres need our help
Rehoming centres often speak out about their struggle to rehome older dogs. There are stories of dogs being left in these centres for months and in some cases maybe even years.
Not only is this upsetting for the dog but it can be costly to the animal charities and rehoming centres which have to keep them fed, watered and housed.
Adopting an older dog can sometimes be off-putting as they??may have specific medical needs or be used to a certain lifestyle, living with no children or other pets for example.
However, most charities will ensure anyone considering re-homing an animal with a pre-existing medical condition are fully briefed via the charity???s vet or veterinary nurse and also encourage potential owners to discuss with their own vet to fully understand any likely costs for ongoing treatment. Of course ensuring your pet is insured gives further peace of mind should they suffer from any future illnesses or accidents and Petplan work with a number of charities??providing four??weeks free insurance cover for every dog and cat that are rehomed, giving reassurance for charities and adopters alike while the pet settles into their new home.
If you are able to give them the home they need, these elderly dogs are just as lovable as their puppy counterparts and have a lot of love and companionship to give!
Older dogs require less training
Older dogs will already be toilet-trained and will have mastered basic commands such as ???sit??? and ???stay??? ??? saving you energy and time versus training a puppy, which can take months!
Older dogs are often calmer than puppies
Dogs generally slow down with old age, so although they may not be able to take part in very energetic play or long walks, they will still enjoy a gentle game of fetch and a short stroll in the park.
If you have young children, a less energetic and boisterous dog may be more suitable. Plus an older dog will already have their adult teeth which leads to less household destruction versus their puppy counterparts.
You can still teach an old dog new tricks!
Although they may not be as energetic as a younger dog, they still have the potential to keep learning and adapting just like puppies.
Older dogs have the ability to focus for longer periods of time, so if you are worried about training them to your lifestyle, they can often be even easier to teach than younger dogs.
Older dogs aren???t necessarily ???problem dogs??? as some people think
Older dogs are handed into rehoming centres due to a variety of reasons including allergies, death of their owner, a new baby, loss of job, a move or change in work schedule. These dogs need homes just as much as younger dogs and make a loyal, fun and wonderful pet!
Older dogs are fully grown
You know exactly what you???re getting in terms of size and temperament ??? rather than guessing with a puppy.
Adopting an older dog is a wonderful opportunity for you to welcome a new member of the family and can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, whilst offering an animal a second chance for a happy life.
Are you thinking about adopting? Would you now consider getting an older dog? Let us know in the comments below???
