Adopting an adult or near adult dog?

Question

I am looking at adopting a dog...most likely from a pound (I believe in "why buy when so many die). However I do want to look for a certain breed. If I cannot find puppies in this breed, what advice can you give on adopting an adult dog? How to make thier transistion easy? How to help her accept you as their owner? How to figure out their nuiances? Thanks.

Thank you all for your words of praise. This is something I have believed in for quite some time. My view is that why would I want to support a cruel and inhumane industry of mall dogs. These dogs are sold to the mall stores that breed their bitches over and over for pure profit and not love of the breed. So why would I want to pay 600-1000 dollars for that. I will adopt and pay the adoption fees (which in my area most places will give you a slip for credit toward spay/neutering costs)

Answer 1

Congrats on wanting to save a life!!

Most breed groups have purebred rescue organizations. Try visiting the homepage of the breed you are interested in and clicking the 'rescue' link. Even if they don't have one listed in your area, it's possible that they may have one or one may come in shortly.

You can also look on petfinder.com - it will show many of the rescue groups in your area. Make contact with the groups and let them know what you are looking for. They may keep it in their files and call you when something comes in.

Petfinder also has a 'classified' section - it's different than the main section. The link is at the top of the page and it's animals from private owners who can no longer keep them. It's another great resource - most owners are sad to be losing their animal but will be thrilled to give it a better chance.

You can also try contacting local breeders and tell them what you want. If they are a reputable breeder, then they take back puppies from their litters who lose their homes - they may have something like that for you. Or, they may have a retired breeder who needs a loving home.

The Humane Society of the United States also has some resources - I'll give you a link. I'll also find at least 1 other link for you to use.

Answer 2

Well, if i had to choose, personally I would choose the puppy. Although puppies are extremely cute, i wouldn't adopt the puppy just because it is "smaller and cute". My reason for adopting a puppy over a dog is because i have a chance to raise it and tame it to grow up to be a good and well behaived dog. It's just like a baby. Depending on how the baby has been raised will determine how the baby will turn out to be as a child then teen and soon an adult. Say you decided to adopt a dog, ok the dog is a certain way and you wonder why. Example : barks alot. Maybe the dog was spoiled in another family. Like a baby a dog has already develped mentally as the puppy hasn't, which means you can raise the dog up to be who you want it to be. Hopefully you'll raise it to be a well behaived, fun, good dog.That is just my opinion, others may feel strongly against my opinion, im not saying you need to adopted a puppy instead but personally again, i think it's a good choice. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CHOICE !!!

Answer 3

When my Flat Coat Retriever was just over a year, we decided to get another dog. There was no way I was going to go through puppyhood again. We adopted an amazing Newf/retriever mix who was 4 1/2. She is now almost 9. She literaly was on death row and would have been put down had we not adopted her. She was not the best looking dog when we met her. (I learned about her on petfinder.org) Her former owner abused her and she was covered in ticks and her fur was all matted. It was horrible. Although she was not attractive (and has no front teeth!), I could tell she just wanted someone to love her.
4 years later and I still love this dog. She is a little neurotic, but that is why I love about her.
I have 2 dogs I raised as puppies and know their history. I hate that I don't know Shadow's (the older one I adopted) history. I always wonder what happened to her when she was and why she does things.

Answer 4

You cannot even imagine how grateful these sweet babies are when you adopt an adult dog! I have adopted many shelter dogs..one was so old I only had him for less than 2 years, but I would do it all over again! I knew he was old and on his way out, though. I was a dog walker for two years at the local SPCA and a dog that you rescue will bond with you quicker than you think!! It's just like bringing any dog into the house...you need time to get to know it's habits and "language" and he/she needs to know what your boundaries are and what commands you wish him/her to do. I recommend at least two weeks of just "settle in" time, then a few months of working every day with your new pet and you'll be like old pals! I have adopted three adult dogs so far from my local animal shelter and I will not go anywhere else for my dogs!

You'll find it much more rewarding than you can even imagine! Congratulations on your pending baby! I know you'll fall in love with at least one dog at a shelter. Many of these dogs come from divorced homes and people moving away, so they've been in stable environments. There are also many purebreds that get dropped off there too. You'd be surprised what you can find there!

Answer 5

I must congratulate you on your decision to adopt a dog especially an older dog. Puppies are usually adopted and the older dogs get left behind. I have adopted many older dogs over the years and have never regretted it. Some were as old as 8 when I got them. Older Dogs will make the transition easily once they understand that they have a home again and someone to love them. You just need to give them a little time to remember what it's like to live with a family again. I adopted one that had forgotten that He was housebroken but it only took him a short time to get back in to the swing of things. I just recently lost one of my dogs that I adopted when he was 5 years old and he live a happy life till the age of 14 and while I'm sad that he's gone I'm glad that we were able to bring so much happiness in to each other's lives. Go for it!

Answer 6

All my dogs, but one came to me as adults, and to tell you the truth, they were ten times easier than the puppy. I never had a problem, once we bonded, and go to know each other. Make sure when you do adopt, you have at least 3 or 4 days off to get the routine down. Be sure to leave for short periods of time, and then the dog will know you'll be back Good Luck

Answer 7

A lot depends on how it was previously treated. My advise is try crate training even though it is older. It will whine the first few nights but will feel safe in its own "den". It can't destroy anything either. If you feel bad about it, just remember it was in a cage at the pound with no love and now it is loved. Dogs prefer to be in a small safe place like a crate when not watched. Think of it as a 2 year old child in a crib or play pen. You are the boss and it will adjust.

Answer 8

That is a wonderful idea. I worked at the Humane Society for a few years the best way for the dog to get use to you is by visiting it frequently and taking it for walks before you decide to take it home once there spend time with the dog and when you are away make sure that you don't have stuff out the will be destroyed. or put the dog into a kennel or the bathroom to minimize the messes. Be very patient.

Answer 9

Sometimes it can be easier to bring an adult dog into your home, just think you don't have to go through all that puppy stage.
That is just like having a kid around the house for some time.

You will need to spend a bit of time with the adoptee to get to know their personality a bit, ask the owners a lot about the dogs history, also most dogs will bond with you instantly if they are the one for you and you for them. Just look into their eyes.

Answer 10

I have done this, and it was a rewarding experience.

They sometimes have separation anxiety (wouldn't you if you had been dumped on the street or at the pound?), but after settling in and realizing that you are not going to do the same thing to them, they love you twice as much as others dogs would.

You will know all their nuances in a few weeks.