I’m considering getting a new dog, but don’t know whether I am too old. Do you think anyone is ever too old to get a dog?

Margaret

I don’t think there is a defined age when you shouldn’t get a dog, but as you get older there are certainly some considerations you should take into account.

The main problem is not your age now, but in 10-15 years time. Will you still be able to give the dog the exercise and attention it needs then? The average dog will live to over 10 years, so this is something you should consider carefully.

If your physical condition prevents you from giving your dog the regular walks it needs to stay healthy then this could also be a problem.

However there is certainly no reason why anyone should not consider getting a dog. If you feel you can care for it properly (including financially) for its entire lifetime then they can provide great companionship.

It really doesn’t come down to age, but your own physical condition and circumstances.

Apart from your age related to concerns, you should also take the choosing a puppy quiz.

Hope that helps!

Richard Cross

House training an older dog can be achieved by making use of the crate method. Get a crate prepared that is comfortable for the dog – so put some bedding, a toy and perhaps even some treats inside. Make the dog feel as comfortable as possible in the crate. Once it does, it will hate going to the toilet inside the crate as it thinks of it as its bed. You can use advantage of this by confining the dog to the crate whenever it can not be closely watched until it is house trained.

There can be a few reasons as to why your older dog lacks house training. It can be that the previous owner never worried about proper house breaking or may be the dog followed a completely different routine. Also, if the dog is under a lot of stress or anxiety due to separation from a family where it spend its first few years, housebreaking will take time to set in. the age of the dog also plays a vital role where house training older dogs is concerned. Another major consideration may be the dog is used to different commands.

So you can see that every dog is different and has different requirements. House training an older dog can thus be a challenge, as you first need to determine what you are dealing with. House training older dogs can only be achieved if you are patient and committed to the process. Patience is key.