Puppy or Adult Dog?
New Owners Must Consider House Training, Baggage, and Appearance
Ready to adopt a new pet? Questions to consider in deciding whether a puppy or a full-grown dog is right for you.
You’re ready to bring home a new furry member of the family - Congratulations! You may have already decided whether you want a purebred or a mutt, a small or a large breed dog – but what about age? Thousands of adult dogs are adopted from shelters each year. Many more find new homes in mid-life when their first human family can no longer take care of them. As with any decision, there are advantages and disadvantages to adopting a fully grown dog.
Do I have what it takes to train a dog?
Having a puppy is a lot of work! From house training to teething to basic obedience, a new dog owner has to be willing to commit some time and effort to training. An owner who is uncertain of their ability to train a dog from infancy might consider adopting a dog that already has basic training:
- a dog that has been through part of guide dog school
- a shelter dog that seems calm and obeys obedience commands
- a well-trained pet that, for whatever reason, the owners are no longer able to keep
An untrained or incompletely trained adult dog may learn faster than a puppy – his brain is more fully developed – but also has the potential to be more dominant and stubborn.
Can I deal with an adult dog’s potential baggage?
Adopting an animal means taking a certain amount on faith, since even a young puppy has weeks or months of life experience behind him.
A new owner has no way of knowing how a dog’s upbringing may have shaped his confidence, behavior toward people or response to other dogs. But these questions are multiplied many times over when it comes to an adult dog, particularly one who has been adopted from a shelter.
Dogs end up in animal shelters for a variety of reasons, but it’s often the case that a rescued dog has been abused or neglected. They may have fears or triggers that only show up months down the line. New owners of adult dogs must have extraordinary patience and willingness to work with their dogs’ needs, help them bond and relearn trust in humans.
How often will I be able to let the dog out?
The general rule of thumb has it that a puppy has enough bladder control to “hold it” for one hour for every month of age, plus one. So if you’re considering bringing home a two-month old puppy, be aware that, at first, you’ll need to take her for a walk or let him outside at least every three hours.
As a dog grows, so does his or her ability to hold it. An adult dog can wait to urinate for up to nine or ten hours. If no one is going to be home for long hours during the day, an adult dog is probably a wise choice.
Do I want to know what my puppy is going to look like when she’s fully grown?
Meeting a pup’s parents or looking at pictures of the breed can give some indication, but the only way to be sure of the appearance - and the adult size - of a dog is to adopt one that’s already finished growing.
Given the right circumstances, a dog can be an ideal companion. Make sure that your life fits the dog you bring home.
