When you plan on bringing home a canine it is without a shadow of doubt that most of us would opt for a puppy. But how many of us have considered adopting an adult dog? Yes, you heard me right an adult dog! It’s really time to break the tradition of adopting only puppies and here’s why…
Most of us are under the preconceived notion that the only reason an adult dog is given up is because of his bad health or behavior. The reason of giving up dogs can be due to financial crisis and the owner feels that he cannot take care of his dog anymore. Sometimes the family may have to relocate and it isn’t feasible to take the dog along is also one of the few reasons the adult dogs are put up for adoption. Seldom do you find adult dogs which are put up for bad behavior or health problems. And bad behavior was not the dogs fault but of the owners lack of interest to inculcate good mannerism.
We should always keep one thing in our mind that the adult dogs also once belonged to a family and was loved and cared dearly for. Now you might wonder that the dog might not be able to relocate, this is just a myth. Adult dogs can also relocate their homes and are not much different that getting a puppy. On the contrary, the initial training that you have to put so much of efforts into etiquette and your chances of coming home to pee and poops is avoided here. Under the most rare circumstances will you find an adult dog not have the basic etiquette.
The main thing you actually need to look into is the background of the adult dog. You should gather as much as information about the dogs from the shelter or the home you are planning to adopt from. Even the smallest and irrelevant information might be handy when it comes to adult dogs. They do take time in adjusting to a new environment and may tend to be laid back. It is important that you try to recreate an environment that it is familiar with and then gradually make little changes that eventually will lead you to the kind of environment that is in your home. Eating habits are the ones that tend to get most affected and gets lost in translation. Have an idea of what are the dog’s favorite foods and not so favorite ones. Try changing the food habits by giving the dog a four day training period. First give 100% of its old. On the second day give 75% of the old and 25% of the new food. On the third day give a 50% of both the foods. On the fourth day give a 25% of old food and 75% of the new food and henceforth you can continue giving the new food. This is the basic rule in changing a pet’s diet.
The other things which might be helpful knowing would be the temperament; as in its behavior with other animals, children, when left alone at home and does it sleep peacefully in the night. An insight of any past trauma that the dog might have faced may help you know your dog better. It’s a common faux pas that the adult dogs cannot be renamed. But in order to have a fresh start for both the dog and yourself, you should try renaming the dog. Try to find a name which does not rhyme with the previous one because the phonetics maybe the same and cause some confusion. Puppies have a very short attention span unlike adult dogs who will listen eagerly and attentively. So make it a point to use treats and make eye contact as you introduce the dog to his new name. It’s not impossible but yes it will take some constructive amount of time. No matter how tempted you are try not to call him by his former name, it will defeat the whole purpose of renaming him.
You must be pondering as to why an adult dog should still be preferred to a puppy. The adult dogs have already lost a home and will thus be loyal to you and will be affectionate irrevocably. Usually a puppy may outweigh or undermine your expectations but when it comes to an adult dog you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Mostly the dogs are house trained so it is familiar with at least the very basic commands which is more than sufficient. You can also teach the adult dog new tricks. It’s really fascinating to see how quick learners they actually are!
Older dogs are in need of homes desperately rather than puppies. The option of euthanizing the adult dog is prevalent. Most shelter homes have their hands full and find it difficult to cater to the adult dogs. You could be saving a life and give them a loving home that they deserve. Their loyalty and comradeship is not questionable. They can fit into your lifestyle if given a chance. Everybody should have a second chance and these homeless canines deserve one too. So what are you waiting for?? Your unconditional love is in the shelter next door!