Do We Get A Puppy or Grown Dog?

A new dog can be a wonderful addition to your home and is certainly an event worth getting excited over. Dogs are great at being your friend and keeping you company on lonely nights. They’re great for snuggling with you on the couch and some can even protect you. Dogs vary from species to species and the type you choose to get should depend on your lifestyle and preferences. One of the first decisions to be made is whether to adopt a new puppy or to take in a full grown adult. Here are some tips on how to decide:

Puppies

Puppies should be at least eight weeks of age before you adopt them. Early puppy hood is a critical time for young dogs (just as it is with young humans) and they need time and care from their mothers before being adopted out. Bringing home a pup before it is ready to be weaned from its mother can give a distinct psychological and personal disadvantage to the puppy and the mother as well.

Puppies are great at adapting to new environments and can be easier to acclimate to your home than a grown dog may be. There is, however, the possibility of a puppy causing damage to your home when it is teething. Puppies tend to chew and may also need to be trained out of habits like digging. Puppies are little balls of energy and can knock things in your home over or destroy personal property if they are not attended to or exercised enough. Additionally, puppies must be housebroken which takes a lot of time, effort and patience.

One advantage to bringing home a puppy is that you can ensure that your puppy is healthy physically, emotionally and mentally. As its first owner, you are rearing an animal with a clean slate; there is no potential for prior abuse or neglect from previous owners. Additionally, you can personally train him which is an advantage because you can teach him exactly what you’d like and know that he will respond to your commands.

Puppies are energetic, entertaining and adorable. Adults and children alike can agree that puppies are almost always just plain fun and a joy to play with.

As puppies grow, they may change physically and emotionally as they get older. Your puppy may grow into a dog that looks or acts significantly different than it did as a baby.

Adult Dogs

You can tell nearly immediately what sort of temperament your dog has and gauge his personality right away. They have already established behaviors that you can pick up on and decide right off the bat if you like or do not.

It may take a good amount of time and energy to get your adult dog trusting and comfortable with a new owner.

Grown dogs require less attention than a puppy would need. They also do not need trips to the vet as frequently.

When you meet your new potential family member, take note of as much of his behaviors as you can. Notice his mood swings, quirks and habits. Ask the previous owners of the dog about his personality. There is the possibility that an adult dog may have behavioral issues and these need to be noted.

Be sure to introduce your new adult dog to any family members you may have. Children, spouses, friends of the family and anyone that frequents your household should have the opportunity to meet your adult dog with you. It is important that your dog not mistake any family members for strangers that could startle or anger him.

Adult dogs are usually already housebroken and have grown out of their teething stage. Unless an adult dog has behavior problems that need to be worked with, he should have a lot fewer destructive tendencies than a puppy would.

A full grown dog will not change physically or emotionally on you. When you adopt an adult dog, you know exactly what you are getting.

A grown dog can adjust to any other pets you may have in your home.

Picking out a new family member is a difficult decision. Everyone adores cute little puppies, but they are far more work in the beginning than grown dogs. Additionally, far more people choose young cute puppies over grown dogs, making them harder to adopt out and more frequently put down by shelters. Grown dogs need homes too!

Whatever decision you make, do remember that any kind of pet, young or mature will require an ample amount of time, commitment, effort and love. But for your work, they will always be there to greet you and keep you company.