Christin Lola

There are thousands of senior dogs in shelters around the world, waiting for their humans to come back and take them home. Sadly, not only does this rarely happen but most old dogs spend the rest of their lives in shelters. On the other hand, there are more and more people out there who are more than willing to adopt senior dogs and give them a second chance at happiness.

It’s also important to note that smaller dogs are younger for longer whereas larger pups become seniors earlier in life. However, even if they are categorized as seniors, most older dogs are still healthy and shouldn’t be overlooked when you visit a shelter in search of the ideal pet.

If you want to adopt a shelter dog, here are some reasons why you should at least consider adopting an older pooch.

1. They are not problematic dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, these senior dogs are not problematic dogs. There’s a number of reasons why people decide to leave their canine pet and they usually have nothing to do with the dog’s behavior or temperament. Some of the reasons why people leave their companion include financial issues, the loss of a job, the death of the owner, a new baby, moving to a new city or country and other lifestyle changes. Basically, these owners decided that there’s no more room for their pets in their life, so they left them at shelters.

Abandoned senior dogs are in dire need of a home. They were once loved and cherished and are now alone and scared. If you adopt them, they will shower you with love for as long as they may live and they will make amazing companions and pets.

2. They are probably trained.

Older dogs, who have spent most of their lives living with humans, have already been house trained and socialized. Some of them are even accustomed to sharing a roof with cats and other smaller pets. Unlike puppies, they have received some sort of training and are most likely willing to obey basic commands such as sit, stay, and down. Moreover, with an older dog, you don’t need to worry about potty training, as senior dogs already know the rules. They are also calmer and have lower energy levels, which means you won’t have to worry about destructive behaviors, such as excessive chewing.

3. You know what to expect from a senior dog.

Basically, when you opt to adopt an older dog, what you see is really what you get. There will be no surprises in the future in regard to their size, color and, most importantly, health. Though a vet should examine your new senior dog, chances are that you’ll know what to expect later on in terms of health problems, which couldn’t be said about puppies.

4. They want to learn.

Older dogs are more likely to obey commands and follow instructions than puppies. They also want to work and can focus on what you are asking of them. Furthermore, you can always teach them new tricks and they will be glad to learn. As a matter of fact, they are more eager to please their humans, so you can easily train them yourself. Of course, you can always hire a dog trainer or attend dog classes, but the bottom line is that you can definitely teach your older dog new tricks.

5. They are ideal companions for seniors.

Despite the fact that many seniors are very active and vital, it’s always a better idea to adopt an older dog that is closer to their age in doggy years. This is because senior dogs are not that curious and active.

6. You will immediately form a strong bond with them.

Though this may be true for all pets, senior dogs will truly love you to the moon and back. They will forever be grateful for your willingness to help them and give them a new home when few people even looked at them. Besides, you will feel good knowing that you have saved the life of a kind, loving dog, who would have otherwise been euthanized or spent the remainder of their time in a shelter box.