| > | | | | They will be able to instruct you on the dog's |
| Making the decision to share your home with a | | | | temperament and to what degree the dog has |
| canine is one step towards a rewarding | | | | been socialized. If adopting a dog from the shelter |
| experience. Why not take the next big step and | | | | you may have to spend many days or weeks |
| adopt an older large breed dog. There are many | | | | around the dog trying to evaluate it. This may not |
| beautiful large breed older dogs that are just | | | | be possible and you may have to forgo the dog |
| waiting for someone to invite them into their | | | | at the shelter and adopt from a rescue group. For |
| home. They will repay you many times over with | | | | your safety and the safety of your family, make |
| love and devotion. | | | | sure you feel confident before bringing a large |
| Adopting an older dog is a wise choice for many | | | | breed rescued dog into your home. |
| families because they require less training and | | | | Some people are under the misconception that |
| attention. For the busy two paycheck family or | | | | older dogs are only given up for adoption when |
| the family with children, maybe you don't have 18 | | | | they have some type of problem. This is very |
| hours a day to devote to your new furry family | | | | seldom the reason given to breed rescues or |
| member. Remember puppies need to eat more | | | | shelters. Some reasons for giving up their pets: |
| often which means they need to go outside to do | | | | Moving to another city |
| their business more often also. It's very seldom | | | | Divorce and selling the house |
| an older dog will have to relieve themselves at 1, | | | | Death of the owner |
| 3, or 4 in the morning as a puppy will. Also an | | | | Lost job and can't afford the animal |
| older dog will not cry or whine all night when you | | | | New baby |
| first bring them home. Taking in a senior dog | | | | New roommate is allergic to dog |
| usually means they are housebroken and are | | | | Sometimes it really isn't the dog's fault when they |
| accustomed to sleeping on their dog bed at night | | | | lose their home. Any dog that is rescued from a |
| without fuss. | | | | shelter or rescue group may belong to the group |
| Why should you consider an older dog? As | | | | above or could be a stray that wandered away |
| mentioned above, the older dog is usually | | | | from his home and couldn't find his way home |
| housebroken and not as active as a puppy. Even | | | | again. |
| if the older dog isn't housebroken when you bring | | | | When you bring your new older dog home, give |
| them into your house, they are more easily | | | | them some time to become familiar with you and |
| trained than a puppy and a lot faster. The older | | | | your home. It may have been a long time since |
| dog has most likely reached their maximum height | | | | they lived with a loving family or lived inside. If a |
| and weight so you can see what you are getting. | | | | dog was with a foster family, they will adapt |
| They are more settled and usually respond to | | | | much quicker then a dog that has been in a |
| love and attention more readily. An older dog | | | | shelter. Either way, they may have a few |
| knows what it's like to be alone with no home of | | | | accidents with their house training or seem a little |
| their own and they usually accept their adoptive | | | | confused or shy. Be patient and loving with your |
| humans without fighting the pecking order. By this | | | | new companion and they will adjust in time. If |
| I mean they will accept humans as the leader of | | | | possible, try to spend extra time with your new |
| the pack. Older dogs, especially senior dogs, | | | | dog as they become accustomed to their new |
| usually require less activity or exercise. When | | | | house, new yard and new human. The rescued |
| taking senior dogs on their daily walk, it is usually | | | | older dog wants to please you and may take a |
| at an unhurried pace and may even require rest | | | | few days or weeks before they relax and feel |
| periods. An older dog likes sitting or lying by their | | | | right at home. |
| master's side and doesn't need entertainment. | | | | Giving a senior dog a warm loving home will |
| Adopting an older dog means you don't have to | | | | benefit you and your health. Studies have shown |
| worry about all the puppy shots and hopefully the | | | | that having a pet companion helps lower blood |
| dog has been spayed or neutered. If the older | | | | pressure and people with animals recover faster |
| dog has not been spayed or neutered, don't | | | | from surgery and illness. A senior dog will lay by |
| worry. There are no medical or physical reasons | | | | your side on the bed or floor while you |
| why you can't spay or neuter an older dog. | | | | recuperate. |
| If adopting an older dog from a breeder or breed | | | | If you are considering bringing a dog into your life, |
| rescue, the dog has most likely been evaluated. | | | | please consider adopting an older large breed dog. |
| With an evaluation, the person offering the dog | | | | There are so many older dogs just waiting to be |
| for adoption will know the dog's weaknesses and | | | | chosen and given a second chance at happiness, |
| what problems you may face as the new owner. | | | | theirs and yours. |