YOUR OLDER DOG

Adopting an older dog from a shelter or breed rescue group can be wonderfully rewarding. In many cases, you've not only gained a friend, you've saved a life.  Older dogs are usually housebroken and often obedience trained, saving you the time and effort.  

• Be sure to find out all you can about an older animal before you decide to adopt him.  Is he used to young children?  Other pets?  Is he very active?  Is he a couch potato?
• Choose a dog that fits with your lifestyle.
• Be sure to feed him the same food he's been used to.  If you switch foods, do so gradually to avoid stomach upset.
• Give an older dog time to get used to your family and your routine.  Establish a routine for feeding, exercising him, etc. and stick to it.
• Take him to your veterinarian for a check-up, and shots if needed.
• Be sure to get a dog license and an ID tag for his collar.
• When putting him out in your fenced yard, or tying him out for the first few times, keep a close eye on him.  Our Shepherds' yard is enclosed by a four-foot high fence that they are perfectly content to stay inside.  But when we had a young huskey (half the size of the Shepherds) as a guest, he jumped that fence every time we turned around!  Had we kept him, we would have had to raise our fence by quite a few feet!
• Give him lots of love and patience.

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