An Older Dog Could Be Better For You

They say wine improves with age. So do dogs. With the busy lifestyle many people now lead, adopting an older dog is often better than getting a puppy.

Young dogs and puppies require a great deal of attention, training and time if they are to become a pleasant part of your life. Leaving for work at 7:30 a.m. and coming home at 6:00 p.m. five days a week doesn’t leave much time for working with a four-legged baby. If you had a human infant, you wouldn’t think to leave it alone at all, much less for the entire day.

Take heart if you want a dog, yet realize that a puppy may not be for you. Get an adult dog. Given time and care, an older dog will bond just like a puppy.

The myth that you must raise a dog from puppyhood so that it will bong with you is jut that, a myth! Some breeds of dog will bond quickly, others will take a little longer and need more attention. With tender loving care, an adult dog will bond to you just as a puppy would. You’ll find devotion such as the Victorian poets only dreamed.

One of the first places to look for an older dog is a breeder or a purebred rescue group. You may locate these through your local kennel club, breed clubs, dog shows and veterinarians.

Often you can get an older dog from a breeder. This animal may not have done well in the show ring, or could be retired from breeding. As a puppy, it may have been sold to a family who had to move to another country, or been placed in a home where someone became allergic. Good breeders will need new homes for these dogs.

The classified section of the paper is also a good place to find an adult dog. However, buyer beware? You might be taking on someone else’s problem. For instance, the dog may never have been crate trained, socialized around children or introduced to other animals. He may have been left alone for long hours at a time and consequently turned into a chewer, digger, or house destroyer. The animal may also be aggressive. Good training will be called for.

Take a knowledgeable dog person with you to view the advertised animal. One way to help you determine if the dog is right for you is to ask questions about the dog and its previous care. Did it receive veterinary care? has it been vaccinated? Find out why the dog is available! Maybe the person is moving a cannot take it or maybe it ate Uncle Henry. You need to know in advance if a dog likes children. Even if you don’t have any kids, you friends and neighbors do. Don’t bring home a potential liability. You are looking for peace and companionship, love and loyalty, and perhaps a gentle nuzzle when you are reading a book.

Getting an adult dog has many advantages for busy people. So think about it. Do your homework. That fine old vintage that someone turned from grapes into wine could be yours to savor. Lidia Murphy (reprinted from Good Dog! March/April 1991)