Not all senior dogs are anti-social
It is true that not all shelter dogs play well with others. Depending on the life they’ve had, being around other animals (especially very outgoing ones) can be difficult. But part of the work any good shelter does is behavior modification and socialization. An older dog can be very easygoing and friendly if you give them a chance.
Make a dog’s golden years truly golden when you forgo the typical puppy to give a senior dog a new home.
They’re active without the destructive energy of a puppy
Greaves says dogs love to stay active, regardless of age. “Dogs have an almost limitless capacity for learning and playing regardless of their age, and indeed need lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy their entire lives,” she says. Unlike puppies, senior dogs burn energy in shorter bursts. People who have less time to exercise their dogs or can’t physically take their dogs on long walks or runs around the dog park are ideal senior dog owners. Older canines have also outgrown their biting, nipping and chewing stage.
Plus, senior dogs are always up for naptime. “I have a 14-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who spends most of his time napping these days, but still enjoys a daily play session in the garden,” Greaves says. Sounds like a good day to us!
Ask any new puppy owner about accidents in the house and they’ll list lots of recent mishaps. With senior dogs, you are way less likely to step in a misplaced poo or catch them peeing on the rug. They’ve been around a while and get it. Of course, some very old dogs might eventually experience incontinence, but more often than not, they know where to go and can alert you if their bladders are full.