Question:
Getting an Adult Dog vs. a Puppy (the Truth!)
Puppies are cute. Puppies are cuddly and small and frankly adorable. Puppies will melt your heart and make you love them instantly! However, it is important to realize before you bring that bundle of joy home with you, that puppies are also time consuming, not housebroken, can't be left alone for long periods of time, have a hard time sleeping through the night at first, will go through the teething stage and use your shoes, and legs to chew on, and overall have and will develop different behavior issues you can't foresee because their true personality has not come through yet.
The reality is that puppies are not ideal for the majority of busy households and many times they don't get the attention, exercise, patience, and most importantly the proper training they need to behave in an acceptable way. Sadly, in many cases these are the puppies that get given away, abandoned or put into shelters for adoption, where euthanasia is often the end of the road for them if they don't get adopted within a few weeks. That is why Puppies make up a large percentage of the dogs that enter shelters each year. Lucky for them, puppies are the first to get adopted at a shelter, but many times they are often returned to the same shelter, for the same reasons (lack of time, knowledge, and proper training) and the odds they will get adopted as they get older are very slim.
FACT: You do NOT bond more with a puppy than you do with an adult dog. That is a huge misconception.
Adult dogs are a great choice in many cases. An Adult Dog is much more ready to become an instant companion. They will be your best friend right away, because there is no need to wait for them to grow up, or develop a personality. An adult dog has already been through all the quirks of puppyhood and has happily moved on so there is less of the wee-wee on your favorite carpet and chewing on your shoes. Because you will see their true personality as you chose them, and can pick a better fit for your family, an Adult Dog is much more likely to fit into your family dynamic and become an instant member without skipping a beat.
That being said, The most important thing to do regardless of whether you chose an adorable and rambunctious puppy, or a calmer and more set in their ways adult dog, is to have a training plan ready for when the new member of the family comes home. It is important that you remember that All dogs need training, and this will assure that you and your dog will get the right start and establish a healthy and balanced relationship from day one.
Now you know the real difference between getting a puppy, and getting an adult dog, it is up to you to make the decision that is right for you and your family. Happy Adopting!
by, Richard Heinz
The Miami Dog Whisperer
(305)223-5291
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