Understanding Senior Dogs

When a dog is about 7 years old, they are usually considered a senior dog. However, the rate they age can vary depending on their size and breed. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, therefore, they might not mature until they are older than 7 years.

The Benefits of Adopting a Senior Dog

Why adopt a senior dog? While adopting a senior dog has both pros and cons, there are a ton of great reasons to adopt a senior dog. As we mentioned above, they can be less demanding and easier to take care of than a puppy. They might also have lower activity levels and won’t need as much exercise depending on their overall health. On top of this, most senior dogs have already been trained and know basic commands. Due to their previous training experiences, they are familiar with this process and may be more receptive to learning new tricks and commands. Furthermore, if they have already been socialized and have had positive experiences with humans, they’ll likely settle into life at your home quickly. They appreciate all positive interactions and will show you their gratitude through love, cuddles, and lots of licks.

Common Misconceptions About Senior Dogs

Sometimes people get so focused on a senior dog’s age that they start imagining there is going to be a ton of expensive medical bills, behavioral issues that will be difficult to undo, and other frightening horrors. While caring for senior dogs is a big responsibility, as with any living being you choose to bring into your home, the misconceptions around adopting old dogs are not as frightening as people might think. As mentioned above, adopting a senior dog has both pros and cons, but most challenges can be overcome. For example, it might take an older dog a little longer to adjust than a more pliable puppy that is still learning things like obedience training and routines. As a result, more patience and compassion might be required as your elderly buddy settles into their new normal. If an older dog used to be with a previous owner who was home all the time, but now they are being left alone for longer periods of time, this could create separation anxiety in them. They might also show signs of wariness around children, puppies, and other individuals who have high energy. This is especially true if they are in pain or if they are still acclimating to a new environment. Thankfully, there are plenty of tips on how to calm an anxious dog down as well as calming supplements they can take. You can even work with a behaviorist who can help you teach your older dog new commands. They will be able to teach you how to adjust your training for dogs with certain health issues, like hearing impairment or blindness.

Preparing Your Home for a Senior Dog

House prep is something you will want to do prior to bringing your new buddy home and to create a senior dog sanctuary for them. You might be asking yourself, “What do I buy when adopting a senior dog?” This will vary based on the dog and their needs, but we’ve listed a few tips for adopting a senior dog below:

Health Care for Senior Dogs

There are some things to consider when caring for senior dogs. The number one priority should always be their overall health. Keeping them on a good diet, helping them to get plenty of exercise according to their abilities, and scheduling regular checkups with the vet are a few ways to help manage your senior dog’s health. If they have more serious health concerns, then it’s important to seek treatment from your vet right away.

Bonding With Your Senior Dog

Usually, senior dogs can adjust to a new home environment easier, since they are already socialized and have plenty of experiences with humans. on how to strengthen a bond between you and your new canine. For example, giving them a lot of love and attention will help foster a better relationship, especially combined with positive reinforcers like treats and toys. You can also teach your dog to learn new tricks and cues using fun training activities to increase the bond between you and your new buddy. You can even play some dog brain games to keep their minds sharp and their love for you strong. Some shelters will also allow a foster-to-adopt scenario to see if adopting an old dog is a good fit for you and your family. This will help to gauge if there is good chemistry and a potential to grow your relationship further.

Success Stories: Real-life Experiences of Adopting Senior Dogs

Katherine and her family had lost their first pet named Chase and really wanted to find another lovable companion for their home. After some time, she eventually found Leni from the St. Louis Senior Dog Project rescue. When they met Leni, she was not leash-trained nor house-trained, and she would get car sick easily. This didn’t deter them from adopting her, though. Ever since Leni has become an official part of Katherine’s family, she now does great on a leash! She is still working on the house-training part, though. As for her car sickness, she has medicine these days to help her with that issue. Moreover, Leni gets along great with everyone, including their Yorkie named Teddy. She has become a favorite addition to their family and Katherine couldn’t be happier with their senior dog adoption.

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