subject: Which is Right for You - Puppy or Adult? [print this page] Which is Right for You - Puppy or Adult? Which is Right for You - Puppy or Adult?
English bulldog puppies for sale: Puppies are endearing, but demanding. Adult can be a rewarding prospect, but some have problems of their own to tackle. Each has advantages and disadvantages and the ultimate decision is based on your family's needs and lifestyle.
Time:
Puppies require incessant attention; more frequent regular meals, constant supervision and lots of training. House training is difficult unless you are with the puppy all day and can take it out regularly. No puppy should spend a working day locked in a cage and this not only makes it impossible to house train the puppy which will be forced to mess its own bed, but make it extremely hyperactive when it is finally let out.
Adults are often acquired fully house-trained; after a few days they soon learn where to go and ask to be let out as required. Even if toilet training is still in progress they necessitate less frequent visits anyway, just a few a day, which should make the process more straightforward- but always investigate why an adult dog was not house-trained with the former owners in case an underlying medical problem is making it struggle. Adult dogs also only need feeding about once or twice a day as your preference, and a well raised dog often has some obedience training. The right adult dog is a suitable pet for someone who must work for part of the day from its first days as it will soon settle into the routine and need less attention.
Damage Limitation:
Puppies are teething, and will chew everything they acquire by their mouth which can cause extensive scathe to the kitchen units, furniture, clothing, DVDs... almost anything can be quickly shredded by these sharp little teeth. Also, as they often start out as being unclean in the house they may permanently stain and ruin fabrics and carpets.
Adults, as we have discussed above, usually find it easier to be clean in the house and are often well past the need to chew as they have all their adult teeth, but aspiration anxiety is often expressed by destructive chewing behavior. This is why it is important to analyze why the dog is in need of a new home.
Kids:
Kids may blare for a puppy, but the reality of a household has both kids and a puppy can be difficult. The puppy may become anxious if it is perpetually pulled about and picked up by enthusiastic young owners, developing a nervy temperament that may manifest itself in snapping; a vice which becomes more dangerous as the dog gets bigger and stronger. kids can be upset and hurt by the inevitable nipping and biting of a puppy. Their high pitched screams at painful pinches encourage more playful puppy behavior, often increasing nipping; a vicious circle creating distress for everyone involved.
Adult dogs are confident around kids are perfect family pets, being patient with their young charges and not inclined to nip. You must ask if the dog is okay with kids and get the dog and the family together to check this before you take it on. It goes without saying that young kids and dogs should never be left unsupervised, for the safety of both parties.
After discerning the positive and negative aspects of puppies and adult dogs, step back and take a look at your life. Whether you have the time and patience it takes to raise a puppy? If so, you will have a loving pet that you have trained to fit perfectly into your family. If you are willing to adopt an older dog, even with minor flaws, you will have a greatly, devoted companion.
