Great Dogs for Seniors
Great Dogs for Seniors
So you’re thinking about the perfect dog. Whether you’ve owned dogs before or you’re going to be a first time dog owner let’s talk about a few things. If you are a first time dog owner something that has probably crossed your mind is will you be a great owner. The answer to this question is yes. Seniors make great dog owners because they typically have more time to spend with their pet and they are usually much more patient than younger dog owners. These are just a couple of key factors that will ensure a long and happy relationship between you and pet. Today we are going to talk about the benefits of owning a smaller dog and the pros of acquiring an older dog. There are different options to look at when trying to pick the right dog. If you’ve ever been a dog owner before and had the pleasure of buying a puppy you know good and well all the things that go with it. The separation anxiety when you bring them home for the first time and the typical three or four nights of constant crying and whining as they’re being acclimated to their new home and the stress of being removed from their litter-mates and mother. This usually subsides within a couple of nights as puppy gets used to his new surroundings. Other things to think about with a new puppy is the process of housebreaking. Some dogs can be housebroken quite easily while others tend to be somewhat harder. Crate training can be a great option to help expedite this process as puppies typically won’t make a mess where they are lying. One of the key factors in expediting the housebreaking process is to make sure that we try to get them out every 30 minutes or so in the beginning. Also while they’re out and being fed immediately upon eating they should be taken outside. Just know you have to be patient and that they are going to have accidents. One of the other things that puppies are notorious for is chewing. Some breeds chew more than others. I had a lab puppy and I think if he would’ve been allowed to he would have actually chewed down my entire house. Make sure they have lots of alternatives to chew on versus any and everything they can get their teeth on in or outside of your house can help with this. Puppies will have several visits to your veterinarian for a series of shots that they must receive. It is important that your dog receive all of these shots so they don’t have any serious health Issues.
It is important that until your puppy has had all of the shots that he is kept at home in a safe area. As tempting as it may be to take out your new dog and show him off at the dog park or to all your neighbors might not be the best idea simply because he could come in contact with other dogs that are sick and until he finishes all of his shots will not be safe guarded against those illnesses. Once all of his shots have been completed and he reaches a certain age your veterinarian will want to put him on heart-worm prevention as well as some type of flea and tick program. There are several options out there for both of these. Older dogs have typically had all of their shots and just require a rabies vaccination every 1 to 3 years. So many times older dogs can be found at your local shelter and are available for adoption. Older dogs in a lot of cases are much calmer and have also been housebroken already. Just make sure if you’re looking at adopting a dog to notice your dog’s demeanor while there and ask questions about your pets history such as do they know why they were put up for adoption. Were they around children? Did they have a history of biting? Try to find out as much as possible. There are lots of great dogs that are available for adoption that can suit your needs and check all of your boxes and find you that perfect pet. So here are a couple of breeds to consider when adding that new addition to your family. French bulldogs make awesome pets. They are active for short periods of time but usually give out pretty easy. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make awesome pets and are very loyal dogs, and corgis can also be a great choice although sometimes they can be quite stubborn. Maltese can be an excellent choice also because they are a very small breed and are low shedding as well. Pugs are awesome dogs if perhaps you’re looking for one that’s not very active but are very loving. One thing to keep in mind with pugs as well as any other breeds that have that short snout is they intend to snort, snore, and can be quite gaseous at times. If you’re thinking about a poodle there are three different sizes, depending on what suits you. The best the choice is up to you. From the smaller toy poodles to the standard there is quite a difference in size and depending on your experience with dogs this could be a determining factor in picking the right one. Poodles are very smart and easy to train. They are also hypo allergenic so if you have allergy issues this may be the perfect pet for you and your home. If you’re looking for the ultimate lap dog a Pomeranian or a Shih Tzu may be right for you. Both require minimum exercise and are low shedding. This is a very important decision for you so make sure to do your homework before picking your next family member. Things to take into account are health issues associated with that breed as well as life expectancy of that particular breed. So when you’re looking for a man’s or woman’s best friend take your time do your research and determine whether you would like to have a puppy or an older dog and make the choice that you think suits you best!