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isn’t adorable, and helping a puppy grow can certainly be a fun
and rewarding experience! Many adult dogs you find at
shelters are already house trained and may require less work and time
than a puppy.
Adult dogs are often easier to train than pups simply because their attention span is longer. Most adult dogs (over 2 years) have passed through their destructive chewing phase already. Also, if you adopt an adult dog, you will be helping with the pet overpopulation crisis.
Many people want a puppy to grow up with their children, but keep in mind that puppies love to chew—especially on little children! Puppies also need to go outside to the restroom every few hours, they need to eat 3-4 times daily, they require lots of training, and are often destructive. Adding a puppy to your home is like adding a toddler—they truly require that much supervision.
Deciding on a frisky pup or more mature dog really involves an assessment of your level of commitment for the workload required. Both can be rewarding experiences for the entire family.
Want to learn more? Visit our blog.
blog.westernplainsanimalrefuge.org
Jessica Braun, DVM, is owner of Animal Health Center of
Hays, Kansas.
She is also the primary veterinarian overseeing animal
care at Western Plains Animal Refuge.
Contact her at drb@animalhealthcenterhays.com.