I’ve had a number of older owners book lessons with me lately—more than half a dozen individuals and couples in their 70s and even 80s, all wanting some training help with their new dogs or puppies. I’ve been impressed by their optimism and commitment in taking on a dog who may live 10 or 15 or more years as well as their dedication to training and improving the dog’s behavior. And almost all of these clients bought a purebred puppy.
I haven’t questioned any of these clients about why they bought a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog from a local shelter (though I did offer my appreciation to the one client who did!). But I was discussing this with my sister, who started the conversation by telling me about a senior citizen friend of hers who bought a puppy after being denied the opportunity to adopt from their local shelter (in Colorado). After smarting from the rejection—she’s an experienced dog owner with the means to care for a dog very well, and has a younger backup person in place, in case something happens to her—she formulated a plan. She bought a puppy (from a breeder who had no age limitations on their buyers) and she convinced two of her elderly friends to also adopt pups from the same litter, so they could get the three pups together regularly for socialization and dog-sit for each other when one of them travels or has medical appointments—a brilliant arrangement!
However, I will say that most of the older clients I’ve worked with recently did find their puppies to be somewhat overwhelming. Even though all of them are experienced dog owners, it’s been some time since they raised a puppy—and raising a youngster is different at 80 than 60! But at least one client admitted to me that while she went to the local shelters to look for a dog who would be suitable to adopt, she was frightened by the overwhelming supply of large, untrained adolescent dogs; she didn’t see any friendly small dogs at all! So she started looking at online ads for breeders of small dogs.
Is it an urban legend that shelters and rescues are denying older clients the opportunity to adopt? Or have you seen this in your area? And are you aware of any smart alternative to help seniors who want to own dogs until the end of their days find a suitable canine companion?
I only adopt older dogs from rescues. My last 3 were older labs six or seven years of age. They are easily trainable and calm. They lived many years and I miss everyone of them. But will get another even though I’m 77 years young.
Yes. There are many rescues who will deny adoption to seniors! I was shocked when a friend of mine was denied. There are so many dogs who need loving homes! I just don’t understand this. My friend wasn’t even asked f she had a backup plan for her pup in case something happened to her.
Very good article than you. I’m a behaviourist age 81. I had four dogs four years ago and gradually was left with one elderly deaf and blind Lab. I grieved badly for my Cocker Spaniel I lost last July and would so love to have another little black dog to love and to make me laugh. Instead I have adopted a 5-year-old ex-racing Greyhound. He’s tall enough not to trip me over, he walks beautifully, with my help he has adjusted in six months to living in our world. His main minus point is wanting to chase cats and squirrels! The temptation to buy a puppy is huge – but we must think how long that puppy will live, and how long we are likely to live even if lucky. A puppy living to the average age of my other more recent dogs means I would have to guarantee active life intil 95! With William my Greyhound, I hope to make it to late 80s. At worst he will have had several quality years away from the Greyhound racing life and able to fit in to another home.
The rescue where I have adopted two Miniature Schnauzers that needed new homes (we were told we were the fourth home for one of them) is always willing to take back their dogs if something happens where we can’t take care of them anymore. No questions asked, just make arrangements to bring the dog back to them. Things happen — living arrangements, human health problems that make taking care of a dog a real challenge. We, however, have found “godparents” for our pups in case something would happen to us. There have been several people that have said, “If anything happens to you, please keep us in mind. We would take them in a heartbeat!” Hopefully that never comes to pass. We love our rescues — all four of them (two from newspaper ads needing a new home). Our young one will be 5 years old next month and he has been easy to walk — no pulling — and just brings such joy to our life with the hope that continues for many more years.