Rehoming Older Dogs

Do you question why animals of a certain age are
in a rescue shelter? Do you think that they may
have behavioural issues and you aren't prepared
to take on that responsibility? Of course every
animal has their own history as do we, but
that's not to say an older pet shouldn't be
given the chance of a retirement life with you.
There are so many cases of older dogs ending up
in rescue centres because their former owner has
passed away or have had to move abroad. There is
also the sad fact that humans can be
disturbingly cruel and a rescue animal may very
well have finally been saved after years with an
abusive owner. It is not always the case that an
old dog has bad habits or an aggressive
temperament, however their character will be
fully developed and probably like you and me
they're a bit set in their ways.

So what are the pros and cons of adopting an
older pet?

Pros

They will already be house trained. You won't
have to deal with leash training, toilet
training, socializing them or choosing the right
diet. All of that will be well established. They
will already know the basics like sit, stay etc.

They're most likely to have already been
neutered. Even if their former owner didn't do
it the rescue centre certainly will as it's
usually their policy.

No puppy bills. This is always a big cost when
you take home a puppy. The vaccinations, worming
treatments, annual boosters and neutering all
adds up.

Obviously being older they're unlikely to
destroy the house by chewing everything it can.
They'll be happy with their favourite dog toy or
bone and won't be interested in such naughty
puppy behaviour.

Their adult size will already be established so
there'll be no question of how big will they
become.

A puppy tends to need lots of attention and will
be full of energy. Your older dog will still
enjoy love and affection but will be used to
having their own space and won't need to be
fussed as much.

Their character will already be established so
if you want a calm dog or a more energetic type
then you'll be getting exactly what you see.

Cons

How are they with children? Older dogs can be
very patient or snappy. Find out the dogs
history you need to know if they'll tolerate
screaming toddlers pulling and poking at them or
if they'll get a bit nippy. It will be your
responsibility to do your homework, you never
know if a particular dog has had a bad
experience with children.

Medication costs. The older dog may have age
related illnesses that will be an expense.
However any animal will cost you a trip or two
to the vets at some point.

Obviously the older years mean you will have to
deal with losing them at some point. Even though
sad things can happen to a puppy, your elderly
dog is naturally going to pass on sooner rather
than later.

Obesity can be a real problem for the older dog,
so diet and exercise is vital. Incontinence can
also be an issue too, so be prepared for that.

Any animal will be so happy to have a second
chance at a second home. You're giving them a
new life it doesn't get more positive than that.

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Alex KellyAs an animal lover, my articles are
based on issues I feel are important for fellow
pet owners.Pet Promenade has everything you will
need for the furry member of the family. From pet
food, dog leads, grooming equipment and bird
cages.With over 5000 pet products, at
competetive prices, it's worth paying us a visit
at http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/

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