Show some senior love!

Most people think of puppies when you say the word “rescue” or “adoption”. And there are a lot of puppies that need homes, believe me! But there are also a lot of senior dogs that need homes, too. These dogs are still in shelters or rescues for a variety of reasons, so it can be a good idea to consider adopting a senior dog when you look at the rescues or shelters.

November is National Senior Pet Month and Adopt a Senior Pet Month, so it seems only fitting to talk a bit more about these older pups and why they can still make great pets!

Why are their senior dogs in a shelter or rescue?

Just like any dog, there are a number of reason that could have brought a senior dog to a shelter or rescue. Here are a few examples:

• They got out of their home/yard and were found. If they weren’t chipped, they couldn’t be reunited with their owner and so went into the shelter or rescue.
• They have been in a rescue or no-kill shelter since they were younger and simply haven’t been adopted yet.
• Their owner passed away and there was no one to take care of them.
• For financial reasons, the owner was no longer able to take care of them.
• The owner had to move (or was deployed, if in the Armed Forces), and couldn’t take the dog with them for whatever reason.

Whatever the reason, they are just as confused and scared as a younger dog would be (maybe even more so!). They still have a lot of love to give, and could make a great companion for you!

Why Adopting a Senior Dog Can Be a Wise Choice

While there are benefits to adopting a puppy and starting “from scratch”, so to speak, there can be a lot of benefits for adopting an older dog, too! Let’s look at some of those:

• Senior dogs are most likely already housebroken. This is HUGE for a lot of people. The process of housebreaking a puppy can be a real stressor for a lot of people, so having a dog that already knows the concept is a plus. Sure, there will be a trail period while your new (to you) pup gets used to your routine and learns where to go. But it will be a lot quicker than starting all over!
• Senior dogs are probably out of doing “puppy” behaviors. Things like playbiting, chewing, and jumping are very common in new puppies as they teethe and test their boundaries. A senior dog will probably already know to stick to dog toys.
• Senior dogs can be calm companions. Depending on the breed, and older dog won’t have all the puppy energy, so they can make great companions for would-be owners that don’t want to have to take LONG walks or endless games of fetch. A short walk or few tosses of the ball a couple of times a day are just enough.
• Senior dogs have a lot of love and loyalty left to give. Sometimes it seems that older dogs that are rescued realize they’ve got it good now. Their loyalty and love almost doubles back toward their owners like they are giving a big “thank you!”.

Related: Exercise Ideas for Dogs at Any Age

Needless to say, you still need to consider the breed (or mix of breeds) and their traits, energy level, and personality to see if whatever senior dog (or dogs!) you’re looking to adopt are going to be a good fit for your family.

Have you recently adopted a senior dog and need help getting them adjusted? We have trained dogs as old as 10 years!

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