Old Dogs Rule! The Perks of Adopting a Senior Dog

Welcoming any dog into your home is a fun and exciting experience for everyone involved. Getting to know your dog’s personality, their likes and dislikes, and watching them learn and play by your side is incredibly rewarding. For many families, the idea of picking out the perfect puppy and watching it grow up alongside their children sounds like a dream come true. And while we agree that puppies are nothing short of wonderful, we’re here to tell you that old dogs are pretty amazing, too!

Senior dogs are often overlooked at animal shelters. According to the ASPCA, senior dogs have an adoption rate of 25% compared to the 60% adoption rate of younger dogs and puppies. But the love and warmth a senior dog can bring to your home is second to none! Here are just a few of the perks of rescuing a senior dog from your local shelter. 

Acclimation is Easier

For the most part, senior dogs at the animal shelter have already experienced life with a family, so they have a general idea of how to behave indoors. You’ll probably also find that your senior dog has received some basic training, so you should be able to skip the potty training process and other puppy skills that take lots of time and effort to learn. In general, a senior dog will come with some life experience, so you can spend more time getting to know them and having fun. 

What You See is What You Get

Puppies are like children. They develop their personality traits and quirks over time, with some influence coming from the people around them. With senior dogs, you’ll know their personalities right off the bat, so you don’t have to prepare for any surprises down the road. Of course, your selected dog may display some nervous behavior while you’re interacting with them at the shelter, but shelter staff should be able to tell you all they’ve learned about your dog’s personality during their time together. 

This is not to say that old dogs can’t learn new tricks -- training new skills is a great activity for dogs at any age! But knowing your dogs’ personalities from your first meeting can help you make the right decisions regarding their care and enrichment. 

Enjoy Lots of Relaxation

Even with the most meticulous dog-proofing, puppies seem to manage to get into everything. Their incessant energy and mischievous nature while learning what’s good and what’s bad can be a lot to manage. You can expect to form your schedule around your new puppy’s needs, and you may even find yourself waking up in the middle of the night thanks to your newly developed sixth sense that tells you when puppy is getting into trouble. 

Senior dogs, however, take a more relaxed approach to life. Of course, every dog benefits from regular exercise and physical activity, and there’s a good chance you’ll find your senior dog is still spry when he gets situated in your home. But you’ll find your senior dog loves to relax, too! When you bring a senior dog home, you’re gaining a new snuggle buddy who is happy just to curl up on a blanket and watch Netflix with you. 

All Dogs Deserve Loving Homes

At every age, dogs bring light and joy into our lives. From those learning moments with puppies to the quiet times snuggling up with senior dogs, we love every moment we get to share with our dogs. If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, keep an open mind and consider bringing a senior dog into your home. 

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