When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog

10 December 2021

If you’re looking to add a four-legged, tail-wagging friend to your family, one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether about adopting a puppy or an older dog. Either would give you an adorable, furry friend, but both choices have their unique disadvantages, too.

Whether you’re looking for a puppy or an older dog, you’ll want to check out this year’s most popular dog breeds. These showstopping canines will give you an idea of what other pet parents are looking for in their animals.

Mixed breed dogs are a perennial favorite for their unique makeups and generally stable health, but they may not be the answer if you’ve got your heart set on a specific breed. Following the mixed breed dogs are toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.

These loyal, yappy dogs are popular among older adults or couples without children, as they can be particular about their boundaries. Lastly, everyone loves the classic Retriever breeds, such as Goldens and the ever-adorable Lab puppies.

Now that you’ve got the necessary background on this year’s best in show breeds, here are the pros and cons that come with both puppies and older dogs.

Puppies pros

Adopting a pint-sized pooch can be the puzzle piece your growing family needs, but it won’t be without a lot of patience (and chewed furniture).

1. Puppies are cute and affectionate

Young dogs are precious, which is why so many people want to adopt them. Puppies are also affectionate and can become very attached to their owners.

2. Plenty of energy to play

If you want an energetic dog, puppies are the way to go. These little dogs love to run, play, and go for walks. If you’re into jogging, a younger dog’s energy will make your pet a fun partner on your daily 5K.

Puppy cons

Owning a puppy may be fun at playtime, but it can also be a lot of work. Here are the cons to adopting a puppy.

1. Training is needed

Puppies require training in every way imaginable: housebreaking, noise, nipping, jumping, and more. Just like human children, puppies aren’t always eager to do what they’re told, so you’ll need a pound of patience.

2. Puppies’ adult years are a mystery

How a puppy will grow up is a bit of a question mark. Will your dog have behavior issues or medical problems? Only time will tell, and the uncertainty might be more than you’re willing to handle.

Adult dog pros

Grown dogs can offer just as much love and companionship as a puppy, so some prefer to give an adult dog home when adopting a pet. Here are the pros of adopting a seasoned dog.

1. You know what you’re getting

When you adopt an adult dog, you already know its temperament and health needs. There are fewer questions with older dogs, as their personalities have already developed.

2. The dog may already have training

Some adult dogs who need a home have already been housebroken and may have other training, such as service dog training. Older dogs can be an excellent choice for first-time dog owners because of this experience.

Cons of adopting an older dog

Giving an older dog a home carries with it a few considerations. Among them are these possible cons.

1. Senior dogs may not be as energetic

Adopting a senior dog who needs a home is admirable, but don’t expect older dogs to have the same energy level as a puppy or younger dog. For some aspiring dog owners, this chilled-out nature may be a plus. It may mean leaving Fido at home more often than not for active families.

2. Possibility of medical costs

Aging dogs can have medical problems, so you’ll need to consider the cost of veterinary care. Though puppies can also go through their share of medical mayhem, dogs nearing the end of their lifespan will undoubtedly incur a few vet bills before they leave your life.

Giving a dog a home

Deciding to give a dog home can be one of the best choices you ever make, but you’ll need to determine whether an older dog or a puppy is best suited for your home. Whether you adopt a puppy or senior dog, you’ll find either to be loving companions for the whole family.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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How does the Training of Defence Dogs Look Like?

Defence dogs have special features that make them suitable for this purpose. Before the dog is admitted to defence training, he has to complete a course for a 1st degree companion dog. This gives confidence to the trainer that the dog understands the basic commands such as summoning, fetching, "sit", "go", and walking on a loose leash or even without a leash. In addition, defence dogs should be very disciplined. The first step is, of course, to choose the right breed. The breed that has an internal defense reflex which tells them when their owner is in an emergency situation. The most popular dog breeds for defence include: Amstaff, Bullmastiff, Bulterier, Doberman, Boxer, German Dog, French Shepherd, and Caucasian Shepherd. Choosing a particular puppy can’t be a matter of chance. The animal should come from a registered kennel and preferably have a pedigree. The problem with these breeds is that they are prone to aggression, so it’s important to bring up such a dog using appropriate forms of training. A well promising defence dog shouldn’t show too much aggression. The training requires a lot of patience and commitment of the caregiver and starts only when the dog is taught obedience, walking by the owner's leg and self-control. The trainer takes part in the training together with is assistant. The dog is taught to attack when it hears the command "take". He cannot attack the assistant even if it’s against the owner's will. The only exception to this rule is the situation of a direct danger, for example when the assistant attacks the trainer, then the dog should throw itself at him. However when the assistant takes a defensive stance, the dog cannot attack him, but it has to guard him. Unfortunately, due to the natural aggression of these breeds, it’s sometimes really difficult to control them in such situations. Nevertheless, the defensive dog should stay loyal to his master, have sympathy, fidelity, and trust. The dog's behavior cannot be unpredictable, and that’s why dogs with a pedigree are chosen for this job because we can be sure that the animal will meet these criteria. Hidden aggression can never be directed towards the master. In addition, the dog must observe the surroundings and know for himself when the master is in an emergency situation and needs help. In addition, the external appearance of the dog, which is often able to scare the attacker just with its silhouette, shouldn’t be insignificant. Unfortunately, the dogs performing such a role are often poisoned, so well-trained dogs should only eat food given to them by their master. For defence training, apart from the dog, we need an assistant. He should be dressed in a special suit or hand guard. The purpose of the first stage of training is to irritate the dog to the point when he can learn the skill of grabbing a sleeve or a teether. The success of this exercise depends on the behaviour of the master, who must hold the dog on a short leash and encourage it to attack. He can do it by running, shouting, or waving a baton. Meanwhile, the assistant tries to provoke the dog to attack him. At this stage of learning, we do not use coercion. If the dog behaves correctly, the master praises him, which encourages the dog to continue the exercises. If the dog succeeds the master should reward him for that immediately. After a few lessons the trainer is able to control the dogs aggressive behaviour. For example, he can successfully command the dog to stop attacking the target. When the dog has mastered the "take" and "let go" commands, the trainer can move on to more advanced exercises. How to train defence dogs? - A dog that goes by the foot of his master has no right to pull itself forward, bark or behave aggressively. Training a dog requires a lot of patience and determination. - During the training, the trainer cooperates with the assistant. If he tries to run from the dog and the trainer does not give a direct order to attack, the dog cannot pull himself out and throw behind him in pursuit. - The dog cannot attack the assistant when we show a defensive attitude. When the aggressor is still, the dog will proceed to guard him until the master arrives. How to stop the dog from attacking someone: In the case of training a dog with an innate tendency to aggression, surprises can happen. The most important thing is to know what your dog can do. Stopping such a trained dog from attacking someone randomly on the street is really difficult and often ends in the death of the dog. When it happens, you shouldn’t try to kick the dog with your legs, because it will only enrage it more. That’s why the owner should learn how a stun gun works. It’s the best way to effectively stop the dog from attacking someone with the smallest chance to kill it. Characteristics of a good defence dog: When we buy a pedigree puppy from a proven breeding, we can be sure that it has an innate tendency to perform the function of a defensive dog. We should anticipate the behavior of the dog by which we must be sure that the dog will not hurt us. How to take part in defence training if we can't judge whether the dog will not direct the aggression towards us? We have to teach obedience to the dog. The biggest difficulty is to learn how to walk by the leg and stay on a loose leash. The defence dog must be vigilant and it should inform us about the dangers ahead. Even when the aggressor is still, the animal cannot stop watching him. Perseverance in battle and stubbornness are the hallmarks of defence dogs. A defensive dog cannot be bribed. The attraction with treats and distraction are common methods used by aggressors. How much does a defence dog training cost? Dog training takes place at the time set by the training centre and usually lasts for about 40 hours. The price of the courses varies between 500-1000 Euros. Read Also: Can Dogs Make The Anti-Social Kids Socialize Better? Can Dogs Help Writers Stay Positive During Stress?

How Your Pet Will Change Your Life

All those who have watched “Marley and Me” know exactly what I am talking about when I mention pet parents and how a lot of couples think of being a pet parents before they become parents. Having a pet, whether you live with your family, with your spouse, or you live alone, can change your life in so many ways. Apart from the fact that your family has a new totally adorable and definitely the most photogenic member in your family that would make you want to shop for amenities and accessories from petsho, we have decided to work out ways in which having a pet can change your life and why you should definitely adopt one if you haven’t already. 1. For Practicing Parents: Having a pet is parenting a child for as long as your pet lives. No pet ever grows up, and this is especially true for dogs. They will most definitely grow old, and there will come a time when they wouldn’t be able to jump about like they did when they were younger, when their eyesights will grow weaker, but they will always be your little child, only bigger in size. It is not an easy job to be a parent to your pet for all the years that they live, but every pet parents will tell you without a doubt that those years will forever be the best years of their lives. From toilet training to training your pet for food, everything involves not only ample mistakes that will remind you of all the good times you shared with somebody who loved you selflessly. Apart from helping you learn to be patient till your child grows up, having pets also give your child a constant friend in every little thing they do. 2. Pets as Therapets: It is a well-known fact that pets have often been trained as therapy support for patients suffering from depression, autism, Alzheimer’s among the few issues people grapple with. They are known to not only help people de-stress, but also provide constant support and alert people if they are about to have a seizure. 3. Becoming More Active: Having a pet will completely change your daily routine. Your day will revolve around that furry little family member who is now a major part of your home. There will be someone who will love you right from the moment you step onto the threshold of your house, someone impatiently waiting for your return. Your priorities will begin to change and you won’t regret any of it, because this won’t be a responsibility anymore. The unconditional love that your pets will have for you will make you value them and their presence. It is also the best way to adopt a very healthy lifestyle owing to the ways you might have to adapt to keep your pet healthy and fit. Apart from being trained as therapists, pets, in general, improve your health by their mere presence and the infectious energy they carry with them. 4. A Boon for Introverts: Unlike those who are naturally outgoing and can easily socialize or often become the life of the party, having a pet can help you create a bond or a connection without the need for any verbal communication. It can also be a great way to socialize with people if you are naturally drawn to animals more than human beings, yet you want to hone your socializing skills. Having a pet makes it easier to begin any conversation. 5. Your Child’s Best Friend: As mentioned earlier, pets often become great company for your children. Often, pets react differently around a new family member, especially if it’s a baby, where most of the attention gets diverted and irrationally divided. However, this can be the best opportunity for you to help your pet befriend your child. Having a pet not only will help boost your child’s immune system but will also be their forever lifeguard helping them around or protecting them and communicating in their own forms of gibberish. 6. Your Trip Companion: This option comes with a lot of terms and conditions applied because unfortunately, not every place whether a cafe or a tourist spot is animal-friendly. However, there are a lot of locations and a lot of eateries that allow you to visit and spend some quality time with your loved ones and also introduce them to other people’s pets. A solo trip can often become a lot more fun, interesting and adventurous if you can take your pet along. Having said all of these, it is true how wonderful and how drastically your life will change once you adopt a pet. However, it is also important to remember that this is a responsibility. It is always a good idea to weigh out the odds against keeping a pet before you decide to adopt one. They look forward to being a part of your family and more often than not, these pets are traumatized once they are abandoned. Always choose adoption over the purchase of a pet. Read Also: What Are The Best Hamster Toys For Your Pet? Different Steps On How To Clean Pet Stains On Couch

Food Allergies in Dog and How You can Prevent it?

Is your dog itching and shaking like hell? Does he suffer from a recurring ear infection? The symptoms point towards food allergy and a visit to the vet might be in order. Allergies, be it skin or food, can be devastating and frustrating for you as well as your fluffy-friend. The non-stop scratching of ear, face, and paws can drive him crazy. Make sure you are covered with dog insurance if you want to be prepared for these situations. Now, you must be wondering where did these allergies come from when your pet is vaccinated regularly and eats healthy? Really! Is your pet really having a healthy diet? Ponder-upon! Unlike humans, a dog’s food is different. You could be taking your pet toward distress if you are feeding him food he is allergic to. For many dog owners, dog allergies related to food are a rising concern. As a dog owner, it’s important to know that food allergy and food intolerance both are different. While food intolerance leads to poor digestion, food allergies are the result of your dog’s immune system’s response to an invading problem. How do you know he is suffering from a food allergy? If your dog is showing the following symptoms, he/she might be suffering from a food allergy: Itching Paw biting Obsessive licking Poor coat quality Chronic ear inflammation Some other symptoms of food allergy in dogs are: Skin Rashes Chronic diarrhea Itchy rear end Vomiting Chronic gas Nausea Hives Now, if your dog is showing the above symptoms and is diagnosed with a food allergy make sure you keep him away from foods like: Dairy: Some dogs are dairy intolerant and have problems digesting lactose. This further can lead to problems like diarrhea, vomiting, and gas which a dog suffers from. A dairy allergic dog may also have skin itchiness or paw itching. Wheat: People have so many misconceptions about carbohydrate-containing foods such as grains that are made for dogs. Some dogs show an allergic reaction to wheat, so if your pet is one of them, consult a vet and treat your loving fluffy pet. Eggs: Egg allergy in dogs means your dog’s immune system is overreacting to the protein which presents in the egg yolk. However, for this allergy, you don’t have to visit a vet, just avoid giving them and your monster will be fine. Beef: Dogs mostly suffer from protein allergies. Also, if you are feeding the same food over and over, the chances are that your dog will develop an intolerance or allergy to those foods. And food like beef is one such. However, to avoid this, don’t repeat the same food over and over. Instead, run the repeat cycle after 4-5 days. Chicken: Like beef, offering your dog only chicken over and over will make them intolerant to that. Lamb: Since many dog foods are made from chicken or beef, lamb can be a healthy option for your pet. However, some pets still experience allergies to this meal. But you can try sweet potato, rice or mix with some other food to avoid allergies. Soy: Offering soy to dog’s can cause various health issues that are beyond allergies. Your pet may face problems like thyroid, liver disease, and much more. Which Breads are More Prone To Allergies? Although no specific breed is prone to allergies, some of the most common breeds are: Collie Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Boxer Cocker Spaniel Springer Spaniel West Highland White Terrier Shar-Pei Dachshund and much more Although it’s overwhelming to have a cute, cuddly monster at home, taking good care of them is a job that needs attention and dedication. Following a proper diet can keep allergies at bay, but in case if your pooch does catch one, Benadryl is a good OTC drug that you can also give to your dog. CertaPet features a very detailed article covering everything you need to know about Benadryl for dogs – make sure you read it. Read More: The Best Dog Breeds For Fitness Fanatics 5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs a Dog Can Dogs Help Writers Stay Positive During Stress?

When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog