So, you’ve finally made the decision that you want to adopt a canine buddy. That’s great news! But first you must decide if your new best friend will be an adult dog or a puppy.
Without a doubt, it can be lots of fun having a playful puppy in the house. However, adopting a puppy is a major decision requiring a major time commitment. For the first couple of weeks, both you and your new pup will have to adjust to your new living arrangements. There may be a few sleepless nights in store for both of you. In addition, new puppies must be supervised closely and properly taught what is and is not acceptable behavior. And don’t forget housetraining! In some cases this can be a difficult time with numerous “accidents” to clean up. Your patience while housetraining a puppy may be stretched to the limit. Also, young pups love to chew on things. Keep in mind that it may take at least six to eight months for your little buddy to outgrow his chewing phase and another 12 months until he’s fully mature.
It’s very important to carefully consider whether or not your lifestyle can be adapted in order to deal with the challenges that a new puppy will present. Should you determine that you really can’t provide the time and attention that a puppy requires you may find that adopting a mature dog can be an excellent alternative.
Many adult dogs have already been housetrained. You’ll likely still have a few accidents but it won’t take long for the adult dog to learn your rules. Adult dogs are easier to train as they have longer attention spans than excitable puppies. In fact, you may find that they have already learned some basic commands from their previous owners. Choosing an adult dog, you will already be aware of its full size, true personality, and health. As puppies develop, one or more of these traits may end up being a big surprise. An adult dog may be a better choice if you have young children. Older dogs may have already had experience with children and they are much more predictable than puppies. Playing with a new puppy you’ll soon discover that they have needle-sharp teeth that can accidentally injure a young child.
Another option to consider is the adoption of a canine “senior citizen”. All too often, older dogs in shelters are considered unadoptable even though they can still have many more good years to offer to a loving family. Rescuing an older dog from an untimely demise can be a reward all its own.
Adopting a dog requires your commitment to ensure a happy, healthy partnership between you and your new best friend. However, it can really be great fun and it’s definitely well worth the effort!
