1. Most older dogs have already been housebroken : It would be rare to find an adult dog that still needed to be housebroken, so right off the bat your new adult dog can enter your life without any of the mess or stress that comes with a puppy that isn’t housebroken.
2. Older dogs can form deep connections with you :
An older dog can bond with you just as deeply as a puppy. When you rescue an older dog it may feel like they instantly know that this fantastic new person has come to their rescue and changed their life forever. Older dogs are ready to love and are incredibly appreciative of the love you’re bringing into their life. You may notice your new adult dog only wants to be in the room that you’re in, and he’s always open to an impromptu cuddle session.
3. Adult dogs have probably been trained, and may be more receptive to new training
The amount of training your new adult dog has under his belt will vary, but no matter the amount, it’s all icing on the cake. Simple commands such as sit, and stay are most likely already in your dog’s arsenal, and if you’re lucky, your new dog will come leash-trained as well.
An older dog is also more receptive to learning new commands. Older dogs with prior training can be quicker to pick up on new command cues. With the firm bond you two share, there will be more concentration from your dog towards each one of your actions. This natural awareness will make your new dog much more receptive to learning new commands.
4. Older Dogs Have a Calmer Temperament : With age comes not only wisdom but also a more relaxed state of being for dogs. This may not true be for every dog. There will always be the ageless wonder who never wants to stop playing. For most dogs though, the older they get, the less exercise they need and the less energetic they are throughout the day. For seniors living a more relaxed lifestyle, adult dogs can make the perfect companions.
5. Older dogs have better manners than younger pups : Dogs with calmer temperaments will often have better manners than youthful, more excitable dogs. When the UPS truck rolls up, an older adult dog may give it a sideways glance, rather than jump off the couch barking at the new intruder. Older dogs often have the benefit of being socialized previously with both other dogs and with other humans, making them more likely to have positive interactions in the future. Older dogs have also likely gone through some kind of obedience training, which should help make them more well-mannered.
6. You can bond with the dog you’ve always wanted : So, you’ve always wanted a purebred husky puppy but just cannot afford one. Well, guess what, an adult husky is sitting in a shelter somewhere right now waiting for you to come to adopt him or her. When adopting an older dog, you know in advance what to expect from their behavior, rather than rolling the dice with a younger dog without a fully developed personality. When you’re adopting an older dog, you also have the advantage of knowing their entire medical history in advance. Vaccinations have been taken care of, and vet trips should be less frequent than if you adopted a puppy.
(via howimetmydog)