Let’s face it, pandemic puppies are all the rage. I cannot tell you how many friends and acquaintences have adopted new puppies since this pandemic journey began over a year ago. With that increase in demand, breeders and criminals have capitalized on the surge. It’s not unheard of for people to put a deposit on a puppy that doesn’t exist and lose their money. Puppy mills and unethical breeding practices are running rampant to feed this demand.
Many breeders and puppy mills have also raised their prices to ridiculous proportions. I’m also hearing from people just how much work raising a puppy is! While a puppy is fun and cute, here are my top reasons to adopt a senior dog instead!
If you really want to adopt a new pet and save a life, have you considered a senior dog? I’ve spent some time volunteering at a local senior dog rescue; Silver Muzzle Cottage, and have fallen in love with some of those sweet seniors! They’re mild mannered, low maintenance, and will quickly worm their way into your heart! Following are my top reasons to adopt a senior dog.
Top Nine Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog
1. You’re Saving a Life
When you adopt an older dog, hands-down, you are saving their life. Sadly, many of the dogs who end up in shelters are seniors. Once dogs get to 6-8 years old, they’re considered seniors. A dog has a lot of life left after 6 or 8!
Sometimes seniors end up in shelters when their elderly owners pass away and family either cannot or does not want to take them. People may have to relocate and cannot take their dog, or financial difficulties may cause a family to send their older dog to a shelter. Tragically, many of the dogs euthanized in shelters have wonderful personalities and loving dispositions but they’re older and not considered adoptable by many.
When you choose a senior dog you ARE saving their life. Older dogs are passed over for younger dogs and are more likely to be euthanized if not adopted in a timely manner. When you adopt a senior, you are not only giving her a better life, you are likely saving her from euthansia.
2. They’re Trained Already
Older dogs know most basic commands and are often already house trained. You won’t have to spend your time housetraining a senior dog or teaching her new commands, you can spend that time spoiling her and enjoying her company. Your furniture and flooring will also thank you!
3. Senior Dogs Have Pretty Low Exercise Requirements
I’ve learned from my own puppies and young dogs; lots of exercise=a well adjusted dog. I became a marathon runner because of Franklin’s destructive energy when he didn’t get enough exercise. I work a full time job and have lots of activities outside of work. There are many days I do not have time for an hour long dog walk or hike.
A senior may be perfect for you as she likely enjoys sleeping for much of the day and benefits from leisurely walks. While exercise is important for ALL dogs, a senior is likely to require less of it to be a good dog. Seniors enjoy sniffing, rides in the car, and even just some time in the yard. If you’re super busy and unable to dedicate an hour or more each day to dog exercise, a senior may be perfect for you!
4. They Don’t Need Your Attention All the Time
When you have a new puppy, they need a lot of your time. Puppies and young dogs often want to play all the time. Putting a young puppy out in the yard to play alone isn’t going to cut it. Your young puppy may get bored and resort to destructive behavior when left alone to her own devices. She may need to work out her energy through those sharp puppy teeth, chewing up the leg of your sofa or digging up the back yard.
You need to train your puppy to be a polite family member, socialize her at the right age, and take the time to train her. All of these things take lots of time, patience, and effort.
Not so with a senior dog. They’ve already been through that puppy circus. A senior may be perfectly happy soaking up the sun alone in the back yard. A daily walk may be optional (although I’d recommend taking the walk every day for your own health too!). If you have a busy lifestyle, the attention requirements of a senior may be perfect for you. You don’t need to take time to socialize a senior dog or teach them to be a polite family member. They already are!
5. Think of the Amazing Bucket List You’ll Enjoy Together
Hello Instagram! When you adopt a senior dog, you’ll want to enjoy fun and enriching activities with your new Best Friend. Think about putting together and documenting an exciting bucket list! Your dog could even become a social media star!
6. Seniors are Not Decrepit, Sick, or Falling Apart
Like mentioned before, at 6-8 years old, a dog has A LOT of life left! Senior dogs who are fed a fresh, species appropriate diet and get enough activity and mental stimulation can thrive at 10, 12, or even 14 years old! A senior will likely need to have 2 vet checkups and bloodwork done each year, but with the right diet and supplements, you can ensure a long, active, happy and healthy life!
7. A Senior is Not as Much of a Long Term Committment
Yes, this is also a bad thing, as a senior dog will get into your heart. When most people adopt a new dog, it’s for life. Most pet parents hope for at least 12-15 years with their Best Friend. (Yes, I know we wish for more. A dog’s only REAL fault is that they don’t live long enough). Senior dogs have already been around for awhile, so if you aren’t sure what your living circumstances will be in a few years, a senior may be a good choice for you.
You will get attached and fall in love, but you can appreciate the small moments and make your senior’s golden years the best possible! We could all take a cue from our dogs, “Live in the Moment!”
8. A Senior Will Fit Well With Your Family
Many seniors have already lived in homes with other dogs, children, or cats. If you have children and the busy lifestyle that accompanies them, a senior may be perfect for you. Lots of families want their children to grow up with a dog, but don’t necessarily have tons of time to dedicate to the proper training and exercise requirements of a puppy.
While shelters don’t always have access to a dog’s previous history and family information, many do. Many senior dogs have lived in homes with children and are used to them, along with other dogs and cats. You can easily teach older children how to treat and care for senior dog. A senior dog may also end up being your child’s Best Friend and confidant!
9. You’ll Have an Instant and Forever Companion
A senior has already lived in some sort of home setting, so will not have the hiccups that a young dog who hasn’t lived in a house before is likely to experience. Unlike the getting-to-know you phase of owning a new puppy, a senior’s temperament is already established and often easier to figure out than a young dog’s.
Being a little mellower, seniors are often easier to read in a shelter setting. A senior usually already knows how to walk on a leash, so will be ready for a long, polite leash walk. (Heck, we’re STILL trying to leash train our dog Oliver 3 years after his adoption).
There’s something about bringing an older dog into your home. It feels good to save a life and spoil an older dog with tasty food, a soft bed (or 3), and fun, one-of-a-kind experiences that only you can provide. I’ve been considering adding another dog to my pack, but I don’t want to train a puppy or have a puppy take the attention from my more mature dogs. A senior just may be in my future!
For those of you who have adopted an older dog, please share your stories in the comments. I’d love to know about his or her life with you!
Meet Olive!
Olive is not a senior, but she is a bona-fide rescue pup. Olive, aka Bob, was adopted from Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue in October, 2019 at 3 months old. Hearts of Hope rescued Olive and 9 of her siblings from the Ionia County Animal Shelter. Her favorite activity in the world is playing fetch with her Chuk-It collection. She loves snuggling and is a champion spooner.
On the food front, Olive adores green beans and gobbles up baby carrots for snacks. Olive barges her head into the refrigerator door if her parents try to sneak a snack. They can’t shut the door without dispensing a treat first! Clever dog!
Curious about her unique breed, Olive’s parents had a DNA test conducted. It shows her as a Pitty/Mastiff mix. Her family loves her so much, and she loves them back even more! Aren’t dogs the best? Thanks for being so cute and photogenic, Olive!
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