Adopting an older dog (7+ years)

[jfr1111]

The (soon to be) wife and I have decided we want to adopt a dog, but I don't want a new puppy. I have had a few puppies when I was a child, so I don't necessarily need to have the new dog experience: ie. cute fluffy stage, housetraining, obedience, etc. Plus, I don't really want to "buy new" per se: there are enough dogs in shelters and on craigslist waiting for a new home. We have a hectic schedule and smallish house, so a more mellow dog would be very nice, atlough we'll still have (or make) time to give it a walk everyday. I already take walks everyday, so it won't be a problem.

The thing is, I have never done this before and I'm getting contradictory advice, mainly on the subject of castrating/sterilizing an older dog and what to look for (a lot of the dogs in shelters still have their equipment). I've called a few vets today and they were 50/50 on the subject of submitting a senior dog to genenral anesthesia. Some were saying it was way dangerous, others were saying it was completly fine, providing they could check the dog beforehand. Neutering the dog is absolutely essential for us since we have ******* neighbours with non castrated males which they let roam around. They stay on their property mostly for now, but it will probably change when we also have a pet. Anybody have any experience on the subject ?

Also, anybody have general tips on what to look for as far as the dog and the previous owners go ? We aren't in any hurry and are going to schedule a visit to the vet before taking the plundge, btw.

 

[sendkyleanemail]

Good on you for giving a dog a home. Lots of older dogs out there get passed over for puppies.

On the subject of sterilization and anesthesia I would say trust the consensus of Vets if one can be tabulated. And read up.

Older dogs are harder to train, not so much because they are "set in their ways" as much as they know what pleases their owner and are hesitant to change. Dogs often want nothing more than to please their people, so taking an older dog is a learning process, too. Learning how a dog works and what they need requires as much attention as training a new pup. A sudden change in expectations or attention/rewards/corrections can be very stressful on older dogs, so be patient.

You are on the right track. Get a dog that has speaks to you in some way. They will appreciate the home and will work with you ;-)

 

[Yooper]

I had an older dog (about 6) neutered. He was a big yellow lab, and he did fine but he had to stay overnight in the vet hospital.

Older dogs make great pets, but it is breed dependent. Our current pet, another yellow lab, is nearly 6 years old and is the perfect dog. But as his life expectancy is 10-11 years, so adopting him as a senior dog might have been an issue as that is when health problems show up for larger breeds and they are in their "golden years" by age 7. But for smaller dogs, age 7 is middle age and that would work great.

Our lab is older and very mellow, but he really requires two walks per day as he is very large and prone to gain weight plus still puppy-like at times. A mid sized dog may be better for you, but they can tend to be more hyper when young.

Most shelter dogs are very nice dogs, but require a big time commitment for at least the first month or so. Some are there simply because they aren't wanted any more, but some have behavioral issues that show up when the dogs are left alone for the first time. I would lean more towards a 3 year oldish dog, if you can find one. Just because they should be over their puppy stage but still should be highly trainable and able to bond with a new family.

 

[jfr1111]

Thanks. My girlfriend is a teacher so she gets to stay at home 3 months every summer. This would be the time we would try to get a new dog, so that it can always be with somebody at first and not get too much unecessary stress over the change of family/setting.

I've had quite a few "big dogs" during childhood, including one lab, so I know that they can be a handful, especially males. Mine was cuddly, calm and LAZY. She was quite content with short 1 hour walks everyday, but I know this is the exception and not the rule.

The reason we are looking at older dogs is really because we want to give an older dog a chance to not get the gas chamber treatment like a lot of them do and not so much because we don't want to walk it. I reread my post, and I wasn't really clear.

 

[DregAddict]

It's great that you're planning on adopting an adult dog as opposed to buying a puppy. As far as the anesthesia goes, I would go with what the vet says. Just keep in mind that a lot of the dog's behaviors that are related to being unaltered might not go away if you get that done. I have 2 dogs, and one is a German Shepherd that I found when he was about 3. He's seriously the best dog ever. Super mellow when I'm just lounging around the house, but has plenty of energy for a long run or strenuous hike. He wasn't altered when I found him and he had the habit of marking his territory, as many male dogs do after reaching adulthood. After he went under the knife he continued this habit, and still does to this day. It's really only a minor problem, as he will only do it sneakily when nobody is in the house, but it's just one of those traits that adult dogs can have if they aren't altered before a certain age, and it doesn't always go away.

I like that you are planning on getting the dog when your wife will be able to be at home a lot. Not only because you can help with the adjustment period, but also because you can take your time finding a good fit for you individual situation.

 

[Evillive]

Www.petfinder.com is a great site, if u haven't found a dog yet. U can choose breed, sex, age, etc & they give u the dogs from closest to your location out. Most have pics, & info about there past (get along with dogs/cats/kids...) most of the shelters (at least in my area) have already fixed the dogs, & that's included in the adoption fee. We found our 2nd dog there, a 2-3 yr old boxer.

 

[brewingmeister]

Adopting a dog that isn't a puppy will be easy. Look at rescues. Dogs are considered old well before 7. My dog is a little over 7 and gets senior status postcards from the vet. Visit a few places and the dog will find you.
It sounds like you are going to have more of a problem with the neighbors than finding a dog.

 

[jfr1111]

It sounds like you are going to have more of a problem with the neighbors than finding a dog.

Probably, but the dogs are very well behaved in comparison to their masters. We'll probably have to fence in a good portion of our yard, but we know that.