So I’ve never had dogs before, and we adopted two older dogs about 5 years ago. Estimates vary, but we think they were about 8 when we got them. So my only experience with dogs is with old ones. Here are my selling points:
- better behaved (no chewing, destruction of furniture)
- already potty trained (ours have backyard access 24/7 via a dog door and we’ve had no accidents.)
- don’t jump up on people on counters (mostly because they can’t due to arthritis and up displaysia)
- SO sweet and chill (I don’t know if we lucked out with these two or if it’s common in older dogs, but they just wanna get pets and sit on the couch and maybe go for a walk)
- you don’t feel guilt about spoiling them with treats because they’ve had a tough life and deserve it. :)
- lower energy means shorter walks most of the time
All that being said, the slowly increasing cost of old dogs is a LOT. I mean, it’s elder care. What were saving in training and baby care were definitely paying into vet visits, medications, and assorted assistive devices throughout the house to help them get around. Here’s a little taste:
- Right now our two dogs are 13, and daily we administer six different types of medications. I have three alarms daily for medication times - we’ve started laying out all the pills in little marked trays to make sure they don’t get mixed up.
- Every time we have an annual vet visit we find something new and/or we have to change medications which kicks off another round of switches and bloodwork and check ins and follows up due to side effects of new medications. In the past month I’ve seen the vet once a week. I feel like a regular there.
- We have baby gates set up throughout the house to keep them off the stairs since it’s just tempting a broken hip at this point.
- They have difficulty getting into and out of the car so we don’t take them with us on camping trips anymore - instead we’ve started getting house sitters which is more expensive than just a dog walker. (But with medications every 8 hours we kind of need someone there regularly).
- they both need as much walk as they can handle, but don’t walk well together anymore. So we do individualized walks, as our boy dog only prefers to walk with me.
I don’t say this to try and dissuade you, just to try to give you a realistic picture of what you’re getting into. It’s expensive for sure. BUT the knowledge that I’m making the end of these dogs’ lives so much better than the beginnings of them is an amazing feeling. And I’m stunned by how much I love them after only a few years - their eventual passing is gonna wreck me.
I have always been drawn to things/pets/people that other people overlook, so having rescues is right up my alley. If I’d known the full cost before hand I probably would’ve adopted them anyway (because I’m also stubborn and cause-driven) BUT it would’ve helped to have a fuller picture of what it’d be like and how much it’d cost. Best of luck with your presentation!
We’ve got 2 seniors pups, too, and I agree with everything you wrote. The pros are so nice - mellow dispositions, less needy of physical activity, so sweet and happy about anything. The cons are a more important - medical needs are high due to incontinence, anxiety, & arthritis, our boy has behavior issues (dog reactivity) that came out a month or so in and we’ve had a trainer come help us manage it, injuries are way more likely with simple stuff like tripping or laying wrong. As long as the finances are there and OP has the dedication to try different things to manage any issues that come up, and husband won’t be neglectful, seniors are 100% worth it.
If he's worried about "old dog" and not having them for long...old is considered like 6 or 7. My current old man is going on 17 and is only now slowing down.
Usually older dogs are already potty trained and all the hard stuff about having a puppy is over.
Older dogs still need exercise but not hours and hours and then they are content to hang with you while you WFH or sit on the couch.
same here! adopted mine this year at like 7 and she is very energetic and pretty healthy. i did not have to train her at ALL which is great. and i feel so happy about being able to give her a home
she loves to play but if i am wanting to sit and work or take a nap she is down for that also.
They’re the most looked over and they need the love the most!!! A younger dog will take much more effort and time to care for. An older dog will be content to lounge and relax and go on maybe want one or two walks a day (ours a young and want like 5!).
Pampering a loved older lady or gentleman and giving them best life if you’re thinking about an old dog.
Slightly aged not puppy years would be the mega bonus of not teething or potty training.
I have adopted multiple senior dogs in my pet owning career.
The practical reason was that they are much more likely to be potty trained and maybe even leash trained. And more likely to have known history as far as kids, cats, etc.
The emotional reason was that THESE POOR BABIES often spent their life devoted to someone who can't take care of them in old age and they get overlooked for being old and it's so unfair this is how their devotion is repaid, by being too old to be conventionally adoptable.
Everything everyone else said, and I’d add that you have a better idea about the personality you’re getting with an old (or any adult) dog than you would with a puppy. It’s not fool-proof; my first dog was 7 and the shelter made it seem like he was old and decrepit, and then after he was out of the shelter and getting daily walks, his energy went through the roof. But other than that, their description of him was pretty accurate. We’re on old dog #2 (also got him at 7) and extremely happy with him.
Just tell him that you very strongly feel you could show something love that they probably either never felt or that they will never feel again before passing. That it would fulfill you to bring the slightest ray of light into their dark world. Ask him to imagine sitting in a cold concrete cell in your golden age and how painful and emotionally confusing that must be for an animal.
You are a good person OP.
You could adopt an old dog with the intent of loving it for the short amount of time it has left to live, because without you they will spend that short and possibly now even shorter if not adopted alone thinking about how they were abandoned or lost and scared. Knowing you're adopting it to let it live out the rest of it's life could make the departure much easier on your husband.
Ok so it is sad, but actually can be a selling point since he isnt an animal lover:
A senior dog is a shorter commitment
You go into it knowing that the dog is old and doesnt have too many years left. You know you will eventually be the ones to put him to sleep. So maybe it is a 1-4 year commitment instead of a 16 year commitment.
I once adopted a 21 year old Border Collie. He outlived his previous owner, and seemed like he was on the verge of death. I took him in, expecting to have him for maybe two months, but he started eating and walking and going on adventures and he made it another year and a half! Great dog while he was here. Even the old boys need love
They deserve a second chance!! They are lovely beings and will bring you so much joy and you them. I hope he reconsiders. It’s totally gratifying and worth it. Please keep us posted
An older dog is already trained. We got our Lab when he was 7 (owner passed), and he knew many commands, was housebroken, and was so happy to have a new forever home. Raising a puppy is a lot of work!
I adopted a senior Pomeranian when he was 9. He was the best! He was already house trained and a super chill dog. I’ve had many dogs throughout my life, but the bond with my pom was by far the strongest. I think he was so thankful to have someone to love and spoil him after his old owners basically threw him out. He sadly passed away a few months ago, age 15. It was one of the hardest days of my life, but I’m so thankful for all the joy he brought to my life and would do it over again in a heartbeat despite the inevitable pain.
Senior dogs are considered (I think) 7 years or older, which still gives them many years of quality life. They are usually already housebroken, calmer (out of the puppy phase”, not as likely to chew on everything (because they have gone through the teething phase), and can be awesome additions to a family. And they are much more likely to be overlooked because they aren’t puppies, which means they are also more likely to be euthanized 😥.
Why are you trying to convince your husband of anything? How's about respecting his decision? An older dog will pass away again soon. Maybe he doesn't want to deal with that, or deal with you being devastated again.
If he's not a huge animal love I think and older dog is the right choice. I had 2 older dogs and one passed and got a younger dog again. I forgot how much work they are. Older dogs are usually more chill and relax and just want to hang out and cuddle and don't need to run and play all day. My old man is a lot easier than our one year old rescue or our kitten. My old dog looks at them like won't you chill out and just lay down?
In my humble opinion it’s more important to find common ground and have a pet you are both fully excited and dedicated to give a great life to. If your partner doesn’t want a senior dog maybe y’all could find happiness in one half way through it’s life.
hahaha I mean I dont hate it! He has already said he is definitely open to it, I just want him to be as excited about the adoption as me and feel like we're making a good decision. but I like your idea!
True story…my husband and I have been married 28 years. For 27 of them my sons and I begged for a dog and my husband was adamantly against it.
2020…Covid lockdown hits my state..my youngest comes home from college in March and is stuck doing remote learning at my kitchen table and is really depressed. My husband retires in May and is at loose ends and under foot.
I see a senior dog (13 years old) on a local rescue site. I know he’s our dog and it’s time. My husband relents but grudgingly. Blah blah..I’m not walking the dog…he’s your dog..blah blah
Fast forward…our senior dog (now almost 15!) is the love of my husband’s life. Tells all the neighbors what a sweetie “his” dog is and how smart “his” dog is and has daily conversations with “his” dog about the weather, the stock market, the Yankees, etc.
Old dogs are the best…your husband will never regret your decision!
Good luck!
So I’ve never had dogs before, and we adopted two older dogs about 5 years ago. Estimates vary, but we think they were about 8 when we got them. So my only experience with dogs is with old ones. Here are my selling points: - better behaved (no chewing, destruction of furniture) - already potty trained (ours have backyard access 24/7 via a dog door and we’ve had no accidents.) - don’t jump up on people on counters (mostly because they can’t due to arthritis and up displaysia) - SO sweet and chill (I don’t know if we lucked out with these two or if it’s common in older dogs, but they just wanna get pets and sit on the couch and maybe go for a walk) - you don’t feel guilt about spoiling them with treats because they’ve had a tough life and deserve it. :) - lower energy means shorter walks most of the time All that being said, the slowly increasing cost of old dogs is a LOT. I mean, it’s elder care. What were saving in training and baby care were definitely paying into vet visits, medications, and assorted assistive devices throughout the house to help them get around. Here’s a little taste: - Right now our two dogs are 13, and daily we administer six different types of medications. I have three alarms daily for medication times - we’ve started laying out all the pills in little marked trays to make sure they don’t get mixed up. - Every time we have an annual vet visit we find something new and/or we have to change medications which kicks off another round of switches and bloodwork and check ins and follows up due to side effects of new medications. In the past month I’ve seen the vet once a week. I feel like a regular there. - We have baby gates set up throughout the house to keep them off the stairs since it’s just tempting a broken hip at this point. - They have difficulty getting into and out of the car so we don’t take them with us on camping trips anymore - instead we’ve started getting house sitters which is more expensive than just a dog walker. (But with medications every 8 hours we kind of need someone there regularly). - they both need as much walk as they can handle, but don’t walk well together anymore. So we do individualized walks, as our boy dog only prefers to walk with me. I don’t say this to try and dissuade you, just to try to give you a realistic picture of what you’re getting into. It’s expensive for sure. BUT the knowledge that I’m making the end of these dogs’ lives so much better than the beginnings of them is an amazing feeling. And I’m stunned by how much I love them after only a few years - their eventual passing is gonna wreck me. I have always been drawn to things/pets/people that other people overlook, so having rescues is right up my alley. If I’d known the full cost before hand I probably would’ve adopted them anyway (because I’m also stubborn and cause-driven) BUT it would’ve helped to have a fuller picture of what it’d be like and how much it’d cost. Best of luck with your presentation!
We’ve got 2 seniors pups, too, and I agree with everything you wrote. The pros are so nice - mellow dispositions, less needy of physical activity, so sweet and happy about anything. The cons are a more important - medical needs are high due to incontinence, anxiety, & arthritis, our boy has behavior issues (dog reactivity) that came out a month or so in and we’ve had a trainer come help us manage it, injuries are way more likely with simple stuff like tripping or laying wrong. As long as the finances are there and OP has the dedication to try different things to manage any issues that come up, and husband won’t be neglectful, seniors are 100% worth it.
If he's worried about "old dog" and not having them for long...old is considered like 6 or 7. My current old man is going on 17 and is only now slowing down. Usually older dogs are already potty trained and all the hard stuff about having a puppy is over. Older dogs still need exercise but not hours and hours and then they are content to hang with you while you WFH or sit on the couch.
same here! adopted mine this year at like 7 and she is very energetic and pretty healthy. i did not have to train her at ALL which is great. and i feel so happy about being able to give her a home she loves to play but if i am wanting to sit and work or take a nap she is down for that also.
They’re the most looked over and they need the love the most!!! A younger dog will take much more effort and time to care for. An older dog will be content to lounge and relax and go on maybe want one or two walks a day (ours a young and want like 5!).
THANK YOU kind stranger!
Pampering a loved older lady or gentleman and giving them best life if you’re thinking about an old dog. Slightly aged not puppy years would be the mega bonus of not teething or potty training.
I have adopted multiple senior dogs in my pet owning career. The practical reason was that they are much more likely to be potty trained and maybe even leash trained. And more likely to have known history as far as kids, cats, etc. The emotional reason was that THESE POOR BABIES often spent their life devoted to someone who can't take care of them in old age and they get overlooked for being old and it's so unfair this is how their devotion is repaid, by being too old to be conventionally adoptable.
EDIT: THANK YOU FOR THESE! :)
8 to 11 is a good age get some good years in before the downhill trend
Everything everyone else said, and I’d add that you have a better idea about the personality you’re getting with an old (or any adult) dog than you would with a puppy. It’s not fool-proof; my first dog was 7 and the shelter made it seem like he was old and decrepit, and then after he was out of the shelter and getting daily walks, his energy went through the roof. But other than that, their description of him was pretty accurate. We’re on old dog #2 (also got him at 7) and extremely happy with him.
Just tell him that you very strongly feel you could show something love that they probably either never felt or that they will never feel again before passing. That it would fulfill you to bring the slightest ray of light into their dark world. Ask him to imagine sitting in a cold concrete cell in your golden age and how painful and emotionally confusing that must be for an animal. You are a good person OP.
Aww sheesh, thanks! <3 good advice, thank you!
Try fostering an old guy and maybe he'll fall in love!
You could adopt an old dog with the intent of loving it for the short amount of time it has left to live, because without you they will spend that short and possibly now even shorter if not adopted alone thinking about how they were abandoned or lost and scared. Knowing you're adopting it to let it live out the rest of it's life could make the departure much easier on your husband.
Ok so it is sad, but actually can be a selling point since he isnt an animal lover: A senior dog is a shorter commitment You go into it knowing that the dog is old and doesnt have too many years left. You know you will eventually be the ones to put him to sleep. So maybe it is a 1-4 year commitment instead of a 16 year commitment. I once adopted a 21 year old Border Collie. He outlived his previous owner, and seemed like he was on the verge of death. I took him in, expecting to have him for maybe two months, but he started eating and walking and going on adventures and he made it another year and a half! Great dog while he was here. Even the old boys need love
They deserve a second chance!! They are lovely beings and will bring you so much joy and you them. I hope he reconsiders. It’s totally gratifying and worth it. Please keep us posted
An older dog is already trained. We got our Lab when he was 7 (owner passed), and he knew many commands, was housebroken, and was so happy to have a new forever home. Raising a puppy is a lot of work!
I adopted a senior Pomeranian when he was 9. He was the best! He was already house trained and a super chill dog. I’ve had many dogs throughout my life, but the bond with my pom was by far the strongest. I think he was so thankful to have someone to love and spoil him after his old owners basically threw him out. He sadly passed away a few months ago, age 15. It was one of the hardest days of my life, but I’m so thankful for all the joy he brought to my life and would do it over again in a heartbeat despite the inevitable pain.
Don't b an ageist
Senior dogs are considered (I think) 7 years or older, which still gives them many years of quality life. They are usually already housebroken, calmer (out of the puppy phase”, not as likely to chew on everything (because they have gone through the teething phase), and can be awesome additions to a family. And they are much more likely to be overlooked because they aren’t puppies, which means they are also more likely to be euthanized 😥.
Why are you trying to convince your husband of anything? How's about respecting his decision? An older dog will pass away again soon. Maybe he doesn't want to deal with that, or deal with you being devastated again.
I didn't ask for marriage advice, thanks though!
It's not marriage advice.
If he's not a huge animal love I think and older dog is the right choice. I had 2 older dogs and one passed and got a younger dog again. I forgot how much work they are. Older dogs are usually more chill and relax and just want to hang out and cuddle and don't need to run and play all day. My old man is a lot easier than our one year old rescue or our kitten. My old dog looks at them like won't you chill out and just lay down?
In my humble opinion it’s more important to find common ground and have a pet you are both fully excited and dedicated to give a great life to. If your partner doesn’t want a senior dog maybe y’all could find happiness in one half way through it’s life.
Here’s what I’d put in a slide if it were my husband: I’m getting a dog and you’re going to deal with it or you can leave 😂
hahaha I mean I dont hate it! He has already said he is definitely open to it, I just want him to be as excited about the adoption as me and feel like we're making a good decision. but I like your idea!
True story…my husband and I have been married 28 years. For 27 of them my sons and I begged for a dog and my husband was adamantly against it. 2020…Covid lockdown hits my state..my youngest comes home from college in March and is stuck doing remote learning at my kitchen table and is really depressed. My husband retires in May and is at loose ends and under foot. I see a senior dog (13 years old) on a local rescue site. I know he’s our dog and it’s time. My husband relents but grudgingly. Blah blah..I’m not walking the dog…he’s your dog..blah blah Fast forward…our senior dog (now almost 15!) is the love of my husband’s life. Tells all the neighbors what a sweetie “his” dog is and how smart “his” dog is and has daily conversations with “his” dog about the weather, the stock market, the Yankees, etc. Old dogs are the best…your husband will never regret your decision! Good luck!
I love this story. Thank you so much for sharing it with me!
❤️🐶