Beyond the Puppy Hype
Who doesn’t love puppies?! They’re playful, adorable, and that’s not even mentioning the joys of puppy breath. Puppies are often viewed as clean slates—they can grow to love just about anything, have to learn everything from scratch, and can more easily fit into established situations than adult dogs can. There’s no question that puppies are great, but how can adult dogs compete in this popularity contest?
When we post puppies on our website or social media, there are sometimes lines out the door to adopt. On the other hand, our adult dogs wait day after day for a single person to show interest in them. Some, like Osa and Sid, have had few to no visitors. We understand that adult dogs aren’t always as easy to bring home as a puppy, but they aren’t any less deserving of forever homes.
Adult dogs have a head start when it comes to training! Most adult dogs are already potty-trained, and even if they aren’t, they can hold their bladders longer and tend to pick it up quickly. All of our adult dogs already walk on leashes, and many are crate-trained. Some are particularly skilled in obedience, like Roscoe. These are basic skills that puppies can take months to master. Opting to bring home an adult dog not only saves a life—it also saves you time.
Puppies adopted from shelters can be unpredictable. Organizations often have no way of knowing which breed a litter may be and must make educated guesses based on appearance and behavior. Their future size and personality can be hard to know for sure. Adopting an adult dog offers much more certainty. You get a clearer picture of their temperament right away, and because they’re already full-grown, it’s easier to choose the right fit for your home.
Some people worry that an adult dog won’t bond as easily as a puppy would, but consider this: adult dogs are incredibly appreciative of the person who changes their life. This kind of love is unlike any other. Puppies are fascinated by just about everything, but adult dogs are deeply grateful to their new humans and tend to form strong, lasting bonds.
The truth is, older dogs need your help more than puppies do. Baby animals are almost always adopted quickly. By choosing an adult or senior dog, you’re giving an animal a chance at a life they might not otherwise have. As a bonus, you get to skip the land-shark teething phase and the middle-of-the-night potty breaks.
Stop by the shelter any day between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and our animal care staff will be happy to help you find your perfect match! Or, take our new personality quiz on the Adopt A Dog page of our website!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Our adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. You can view our shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.