Puppies usually get adopted from shelters pretty fast. After all, who can resist those big eyes and round puppy tummies? But what about the dogs that are a little bit older? They deserve a family too! Read on to discover why welcoming an older shelter dog into your home might make your family complete. 
Set personalities and looks.
Puppies that are still growing may change in their personalities. Adopting an older shelter pup means that what you see is exactly what you’ll get. If you adopt a social dog, odds are that dog will continue to greet everyone he meets with a smile on his face. If you’re looking for a dog that will hang out with you, it’s easy to find a dog that would love to be a couch potato. Whether you’re looking for a big dog or a pup you can carry, adult shelter dog’s sizes and looks are already established. No unwanted surprises there! 
Keep your house intact.
While a puppy might be fun to play tug of war with, it’s not as fun if you’re trying to tug your shoe, pillow, or jacket from your pup’s mouth. With an older dog, you don’t have to worry about him teething and chewing up everything you own. It will take any pet a bit to settle in, but older shelter dogs won’t usually tear up your things once they’re acclimated to the house. 
Lower Maintenance.
A puppy needs constant supervision. Adopting a pup also means puppy proofing your house and frequent vet trips for shots. Older dogs are often fully vetted and already spayed or neutered. They have probably already calmed down a bit, and that means no puppy proofing. Since an older dog may have lived in a home before, they most likely know how to behave with minimal supervision. 
Already Trained
Some adult shelter dogs know basic commands such as sit, down, and drop-it. Many adult dogs are already housetrained. Adopting an older shelter pet eliminates spending hours training basic obedience. A housebroken adult dog will also mean a lot less time spent cleaning up accidents and creating a potty schedule. 
Plenty of love to give.
After all, age is just a number! Even though older dogs are often overlooked in shelters, they still have a lot of love left to give away to their new family. They’re so grateful for a second chance at a home!
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Written by Mara Cobb