I love senior dogs! They hold a very special place in my heart. Last year I became a volunteer for a dog rescue and most of my foster dogs have been seniors. I loved each one of them and enjoyed sharing my life with them if only for a couple months. They are easy to care for because they are usually house trained and have good house manners. Although one of my foster dogs thought my brand new leather furniture was quite comfortable! It didn't take long for Abby to learn that the nice orthopedic dog beds were just as comfortable as my couch. They usually settle in to a routine nicely especially if they were a house pet previously. I love their grey muzzles and wise old eyes.
Adult dogs and seniors can be just as playful as a puppy but they know how to settle down when it's time. You can also teach an old dog new tricks. I had one of my foster dogs for 6 months and had so much fun teaching him silly dog tricks. Roshan was a joy to have and made us laugh almost everyday! His new Mommy sends me pictures and updates all the time which warms my heart. These older dogs have so much character and great personalities. It's so much fun to see their personalities develop the longer I have them.
I have a very special foster dog right now who had a sad past. She was removed from her home due to neglect and unsanitary conditions of the home. She spent the majority of her life in a wire crate. She came to me head shy and afraid but so gentle and affectionate. While Candy is older, she has been quite a bit of work for me. She needed to be taught all the things a normal house dog is usually accustomed to. She had to learn to trust me first and then we could work on learning how to live outside the crate. My house was overwhelming to her as she was so accustomed to only having room to turn around in her crate.
Even with her past history, she has opened up and blossomed into a wonderfully affectionate playful dog who has excellent house manners. I am still working on potty training her which is to be expected. She spent the first 6 - 8 years of her life soiling in her crate. It will take some time to reverse this habit.
I encourage anyone considering adopting a senior or adult dog to do so! If you know the dog's previous history or can obtain as much information as possible, that will help you determine if the dog is a good fit for you. If you adopt a dog without a previous history and have questions after adoption, we would be glad to help you out! Click on the link below to watch a video for more information on adopting an older dog! Don't forget about all the senior cats and other senior pets waiting patiently for a forever home!
Tricia (certified veterinary technician)
Adopting an Older Dog vs. a Puppy
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