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Adopting Older Dogs
Ten 10 Reasons to Adopt an "Older" Dog- Older dog are housetrained.
- Older dogs aren't teething and won't chew your shoes, furniture and walls.
- Older dogs are calmer and can focus better than puppies. This helps them learn more quickly.
- Older dogs know what "NO" means. You don't get to be an older dog without knowing what "NO" means.
- Older dogs settle into routines more easily than young pups. They have learned what it takes to be part of your "pack."
- Older dogs are good at giving affection and love. They are grateful for the second chance.
- Older dogs prove the saying "What You See is What You Get." You will know how they look and what their personality is like. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed like at first.
- Older dogs are instant companions. They are ready for trips, hiking, camping and all the other activities you enjoy.
- Older dogs let you have time for yourself. They won't make the demands the puppies and adolescent dogs make.
- Older dogs let you sleep through the
night. They are accustomed
to human schedules and don't need nighttime bathroom breaks.
What's "Wrong" with a Rescue or Adult Dog?
What's wrong with adult dogs that end up in breed rescue or are put up for adoption? Most of the time, there is nothing "wrong" with the dog, but instead with the people that give the dog up. Most adult dogs that end up in breed rescue are housebroken, well behaved and looking for a stable environment to live in. Common reasons people give are:
- Don't have enough time.
- Moving.
Studies have proven that petting a dog or cat lowers blood pressure. In addition, the studies have shown that patients who have access to pets recover faster from illness or surgery. -- as published in the Medical Journal of Australia, Vol. 157, Section 7, 1992 "Pet Ownership and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease."
We would like to make the obvious point that an older dog, being calm and mellow, is the kind of dog who most enjoys lying quietly to be petted or to keep someone company while recovering.
Why Don't Older Dogs Get Adopted?
Notes from the Dachshund Rescue Web site:
"The most sought after of all Dachshund rescues is the 'two-year-old mini.' As a result, there are very few of these animals in rescue for very long. And the wait for one can be substantial, often discouraging people from adopting a rescue at all. But why a 'two year old mini'? Why not three years old, or one year old, or some other age? This seems to be a psychological thing, more than anything else. At two years old, it can be assumed that a dog will have a good, long time ahead of it. At one year of age, it's 'still a puppy,' with all of the problems and difficulties that description brings to mind. At three years old, most people assume that the animal has fewer than 10 years left and don't want to think of the heartbreak of losing it so quickly.
"The ultimate barrier is at age five. Once an animal turns five, it is nearly impossible to place quickly. And, if turned into a shelter, is almost certainly guaranteed a quick euthanization. Most shelters are so overcrowded, the only practical solution for them is to destroy the 'unadoptable' animals. How many animals were destroyed last year for the crime of being over five years old? Last month? Last week? Today? When was the last time you saw an animal in a shelter over three years old, for that matter?"
We encourage you to read this statement in its entirety to understand the need to change the perception and treatment of older dogs in our society.
A Common Objection to Adopting an Older Dog: "They Don't Live Long Enough"
We've often heard people who are dog lovers say that they don't want to adopt an older dog because they will be heartbroken too soon when the dog dies. We must agree that it seems to us, too, that our old dogs don't live long enough to suit us and our hearts are always aching. However, it also seems to us that NO dog lives long enough, regardless of the length of time we've spent together.
We think that maturity in a dog is so positive in so many ways that any disadvantage pales by comparison. We also think that it is quality of time together that matters more than quantity. We admit that it takes strength to make a commitment to loving a dog who may not be with you very long. Not everyone has that kind of strength. On certain occasions, after losing a beloved older dog, we've wondered whether we ourselves can find that strength again. But, in the end, the question we always ask ourselves is: If we don't adopt the older ones, who will?
In addition to the ten good reasons to adopt an older dog that are listed above, there's one more that we think may be the most compelling of all: Adopting a dog that no one else wants because of age is an important statement about compassion. Although it requires strength and conviction, making that statement holds great personal and societal rewards.
We write this in memory of our dear, beloved Ty. He was able to stay with us just a year. During the course of his illness, which we fought with every weapon we could find, we often asked ourselves why this had to happen to our sweet boy and to us. A friend told us that, whether it was luck or fate, he'd been put into our hands to experience both joy and pain. What a special boy he was! Despite the pain of losing him, we are grateful for the brief but intensely wonderful time we had together.
What You Should Know Before You Adopt Any Dog
Before taking on the responsibility for a pet, there are many practical things to consider. The Newpet site helps focus on them and provides helpful information.
Reading:
Choosing a Shelter Dog, by Bob Christiansen, published in 1995, Canine Learning Center.
Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You, by Eliza Rubenstein & Shari Kalina, published in 1996, Howell Books.
Save That Dog! by Liz Palika, published in 1997, Howell Books.
How to Train an Older Dog
For information on training or "teaching an old dog new tricks," try these resources:
(1) On the Internet (click on the title): "Training Your Dog" by Cindy Tittle Moore.
(2) Book: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, by the Monks of New Skete. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1978.
(3) Book: Nobody's Best Friend: Loving and Learning with Adoptive Dogs, by Lorraine Houston.
(4) Videotape: David Dikeman's Command Performance. Order through: Customer Service Dept., 81 Fitness Quest Plaza, Canton, OH 44750-0001.
(5) Many humane agencies and shelters offer courses in dog training at a nominal cost. Check those in your area for information.