There are often many challenges to adopting an older dog but this should not be seen as a deterrent. The truth is, older dogs need a chance to live a good quality of life too which means the idea should never be ruled out. Bear in mind however that understanding what to expect is vital whether you go to a shelter, acquire someone’s pet, or buy a dog that is beyond the puppy stage, so Purebred Breeders would recommend the following steps for anyone thinking about it.
Steps to Take Before Getting an Adult Dog
- Decide how you intend to get the dog. This way you will be able to know where you will be looking, as well as have a clearer idea of what obstacles to expect in terms of transporting the dog if arrangements are necessary.
- Decide on a breed, sex, and age. You may not care about the last two however, Purebred Breeders must point out that they matter, so take some time to see the challenges of a female as opposed to a male. You also want to see how a 1 year old differs from a 2 or 3 year for the breed you have chosen.
- Learn all you can about the breed. Purebred Breeders would like to point out that this should be done for a dog of any age because prospective owners need to understand what normally comes with owning a certain breed. The fact is, some people are simply not suited to some dogs and vice versa.
- Understand everything a dog will need and make those preparations. Clean and dog-proof the house close to the search since you may have to take the dog home almost immediately. Buy the necessary tools and needed items, designate the dog’s areas, and ensure that you are aware of all possible threats to the pooch so you can alleviate them. Finally, Purebred Breeders urges you to locate a vet or viable options before you go looking for your new dog.
- Go searching once all preparations are made. Purebred Breeders recommends that you examine each dog you like by looking at it closely to see if there are any physical challenges or tell-tale signs that something may be wrong, especially if you are unprepared or unwilling to take on such a responsibility. It’s also important even if you are, since you want to know what the issue is as early as possible. Next, ask questions about the dog’s personality and past since these are vital to understanding the dog.
- Purebred Breeders also recommends that you interact with the pooch on a few different occasions or ask for information on its socialization before taking him or her home, unless the process is time sensitive or frequent visits cannot be accommodated. Doing this allows you to see if the dog you met on Day One will be the same 10 days later.
- Take the dog home and start a balanced routine. Ideally, some obstacles should have already been dealt with, such as housebreaking, some level of socialization, and training basics. However, still start slow, be patient, use positive reinforcement and give the dog all the love you possibly can.
Purebred Breeders never supports the notion of getting a dog simply because it is free because there really is no such thing. Dogs take time, money, attention, responsibility, and dedication so only get one if you are truly prepared for dog ownership. Remember also that older dogs may be more settled than younger ones which is a plus, but the formation of a personality can be an issue. Retraining and resocialization may be necessary, patience is crucial, and you must be prepared to learn as much as you need to help your pooch adjust.
Marcus is a correspondent at Purebred Breeder LLC who writes mainly on the dos and don’ts of dog training. He is a well-respected dog trainer who has conducted seminars and demonstration techniques throughout the United States and beyond. He has three lovely dogs of his own and will be quick to tell you he would not trade them for anything. Besides gladly sharing his wealth of experience, knowledge and training in this area he is also spends much of his time supporting the Purebred Breeders Puppy Mill program and similar initiatives that address the existence puppy mills that are out there. His hope is that by speaking out against this practice he will be able to encourage people to avoid those who subscribe to this practice. A man dedicated to all his causes, he also helps with Purebred Breeders Rip Off cases and takes pride in advising those who have been cheated.
Avid Xbox player and surfer; Marcus likes reading, cycling, tennis, badminton, and responding to Purebred Breeder Reviews. Never too busy to learn something new, he is presently trying to learn Mandarin and believes this will open up a host of opportunities for him. Facebook and LinkedIn are his social platforms of choice.
