Adopting an Older Shelter Dog? Here’s What You Should Know

Adopting an older shelter dog is a fantastic way to show your love and provide a forever home to a canine in need. Because many people are drawn to younger dogs and puppies, senior dogs often languish in dog shelters or rescue programs. But they really make excellent companion animals. When you adopt an older companion animal, you are truly giving a deserving canine a second chance at life.

Companion Animal Advocates of Bertie is not a shelter, and we do not have adoptable pets. Instead, we strive to prevent pet homelessness through our pet pantry outreach and education. However, our volunteers are all rescue pet owners and we each have extensive knowledge in the topic.

Seven Great Reasons to Adopt an Older Shelter Dog

Adopting an older shelter dog is a wonderful way to help a pup in need. They often come with a lot of love and life experience. Besides that, you can bond with them in ways that you wouldn’t be able to with a puppy.

Here are seven compelling reasons why you should consider adopting an older shelter dog:

1. Shelter dogs are often already house-trained and will have had some basic training, making them easier to integrate into your home. Ask the shelter if they know the dog’s history; an owner surrender that was a housepet will be an excellent companion for you.
2. Older dogs have usually been in the shelter for a while and are desperate for a loving home. Therefore, you can make a real difference by giving them a new “leash” on life.
3. Older dogs are often more relaxed, cuddly, and loyal companions than puppies. They have the patience that comes with age, making them great for families with small children.
4. You won’t have to worry about as much training; a puppy requires a lot of time so it does now grow up and develop unwanted behaviors or habits.
5. Many older shelter dogs have been neglected and will be incredibly grateful for the love and attention you give them.
6. Older dogs are often more content to just relax and snuggle with their owners. This behavior makes them great for people who don’t have the energy to take a puppy on long walks.
7. Older dogs might be less expensive to adopt than puppies, as you might be able to skip the spay or neuter fee incurred by the shelter.

Why Do People Get Rid of Older Dogs at Shelters?

Unfortunately, people may surrender their old dogs at shelters for a variety of reasons. Here are three of the most common stories animal rescues hear:

• Some people may lack the financial means to care for an older dog. Thus, they may not be able to keep up with the medical costs that come with an aging pet.
• Others may not have the time and patience to care for an older dog, as they may require more attention than a younger dog.
• Some people may also not have the space or resources to keep a large dog, such as those that may have developed arthritis or other health issues.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that these decisions are difficult ones and that some people who surrender their pets to a shelter have done so with a heavy heart.

Helping Your Older Dog Adapt to Your Home

An older dog will be grateful to be out of the shelter. Still, he or she will need to learn to trust you. They’ll also need to learn the rules of your home. This can take several weeks or even a few months, especially if the previous owners did not give your new buddy much attention.

How to help a rescue dog feel comfortable in your home

Helping a rescue dog adjust to his new home can be a rewarding experience! Here are some tips to help make the transition easier for your pup:

1. Make sure to give your pup plenty of love, attention, and affection. Spend time with your pup daily, taking them for walks and playing with them to help them become more comfortable with their new environment.
2. Provide a safe, comfortable space for them to call their own. This can be a bed or crate in a quiet area of the home. Provide plenty of toys and chews to keep them entertained and provide them with a sense of security.
3. Establish a routine. Dogs thrive on routine, so make sure to feed and walk them at the same times every day. This will help them adjust quickly to their new home.
4. Socialize your pup. Introduce them to other dogs and humans gradually, as this can help them learn to trust new people.
5. Be patient. Remember that it can take some time for a rescue dog to adjust to its new environment. Don’t be discouraged if your pup takes a while to open up to you and your family. With patience and love, your pup will soon be an integral part of your family.

Bond With Your Older Rescue Dog With Some Training Time

Spend time bonding with your rescue pet by putting him to work on some new tricks. Dogs want to please their humans and feel delighted to earn praise. Training establishes the order of your home, putting humans in charge of making the rules.

Besides that, the prior owners may or may not have taught your new bestie any of the basics–once you start training, you will quickly see if he already knows any common commands.

Can old dogs learn commands and tricks?

Absolutely! Old dogs may learn new commands with a bit of patience and dedication. It’s important to create a positive learning environment, as this encourages the dog to feel comfortable and willing to learn.

Start off with short and simple commands, and be sure to provide lots of rewards and praise when your dog gets it right. With enough practice and consistency, your old pup can learn new tricks in no time!

Five basic commands to teach your rescue dog

Teaching an older dog new tricks can be a rewarding experience. Here are five basics that will help you manage your dog more easily while giving him a chance to show off what he might already know:

1. Teach your dog the “Sit” command. Use treats as rewards and praise when they do it correctly.
2. Teach them to “Stay”. Start with a short distance and gradually increase the distance over time. Use a treat as a reward when they hold the stay position.
3. Teach them to “Come”. Start by calling your dog’s name and then reward them when they come to you.
4. Teach them to “Lay Down”. Start with your dog in the sit position and then lure them with a treat to lie down.
5. Teach them to “Roll Over”. Start with your dog in the lay-down position and then use a treat to lure them into rolling over.

Be patient and consistent when teaching your dog new commands and reward them with treats, verbal praise, and affection when they do it correctly. With patience and persistence, you’ll be able to teach your older dog new tricks in no time.

The Takeaway: Older Dogs Are a Hidden Gem

Older dogs are too often overlooked at shelters. Previous owners have surrendered them and they are sometimes confused. However, they still have lots of love in their hearts. Most will adjust to a new home and will become your best friend and meld with your household within a few weeks. It takes time and patience, but the reward will be worth it.

If you want to make a difference, here’s how you can help us make Bertie County a kinder place for animals:

1. Volunteer with us! Connect with us on Facebook, send a private mesage, or email us at: advocate@caabertie.org – we need helping hands.
2. Donate to our cause on CashApp: $CAABertie
3. Drop off goods at our pet pantry sites. They are: Askewville Town Hall, Kelford Town Hall, and Powellsville Pet Clinic. Give what you can, take what you need!