For most dogs, when they reach seven years of age, they enter their golden years. A smaller dog such as a Shih Tzu may take a little longer, but they too will reach their senior years. Sadly, many people who look for dogs from shelters will pass on those who in their later years. Remember that a dog of any age needs a home, love, and care. Plus, senior dogs make for great pets.
What follows are seven reasons why you should consider a senior dog as your next pet.
They are not necessarily “Problem Dogs”
One of the biggest myths about senior dogs that are in a shelter is that they have behavioral issues. In fact, most dogs wind up in shelters for a wide variety of reasons, relatively few of them are related to their behavior. Their owners may have abandoned them for several reasons, such as an allergic reaction, a new baby, moving to another location, or any change in their lifestyle.
So, just because an older dog is in a shelter does not mean that they have issues.
Calmer
Puppies and young dogs tend to be energetic and ready to take on the world, much like teenagers. An older dog has gotten that out of their system. This means that they are less destructive to your home and property and play well with children depending on their breed.
Trained
Many older dogs are familiar with basic commands such as sit, stay, or down. This means that you will not have to spend time training them on the basics of what to do. Even if they haven’t been trained, they still tend to understand basic commands in a way that is superior to younger dogs and puppies.
Love
Just as everyone needs love and affection, so do senior dogs. Many have been abandoned by their owners for one reason or another. Now they are lost and need care once more. You can be that person who provides them with what they want.
Teachable
An older dog can learn new tricks just like the younger ones. In fact, their attention span is longer, so you will spend less time training them. This can be quite handy if time is an issue in spending with your dog. An older one can learn new tricks and often in less time.
Play
In addition to being teachable, older dogs generally understand what it is like to go for walks, play fetch, and engage in games. This means that you can get a good workout companion and one that enjoys participating in walks and other activities.
Euthanized
With so many dog shelters becoming overcrowded, the overlooked senior dogs are generally the first ones to be put down. This means that when you adopt a senior dog, you are probably saving its life.
If you are considering adding a new dog to your home, a senior dog offers many benefits for you and your family. An older dog in a shelter should be your first choice. They are just as in need of love and affection as younger dogs.
