Just curious- what kind of differences are there in getting a puppy vs a young adult vs an adult dog? Irregardless of whether you purchase or adopt, because the shelters around here seem to have dogs of every age.

I know that's an incredibly broad question... I've spoken with several people recently that talk about how their dogs were as puppies and ask about mine, and I just have no clue what Jake & Dixon were like. They were a year and a half, almost two years old by the time I adopted them. I've heard people say it's easier to train a dog when starting as a pup, and others say they wait until the dog is older so that it has some more self control. My BF asked recently if I would think about getting a puppy the next time around, and honestly I just don't know. No reason for me to make a decision now, just curious as to other people's opinions.

Some of the reasons I went for semi-adult dogs when I adopted mine were that I'd never had my own dog as an adult. I hoped that the dog would be housebroken (got half my wish), they could last longer on their own while I was at work (that one might have been true- but I ended up coming home at lunch everyday for a long time anyway just to make myself feel better), and they might be more stable health-wise while I figured out what I was supposed to be doing as an owner (assuming they were disease free when I adopted, which both of mine were). I admit I shouldn't have adopted two dogs at once. Not that I would give them up now, but one dog per person to start with would have been a better approach. I can also think of many things I did wrong that I will hopefully not repeat in the future...

Thoughts or experiences anyone?

With the puppy you don't have any surprises with bad habits already developed. It's much easier to train a dog them break bad habits.
I personally prefer to work with a puppy. Nothing like seen the light turn on with them.
With the older dog you may have a bit of a heads up as to health issues but along with that you also have behavioral issues you may not be aware of.
Lots of good reasons for both. You have to decide for yourself.

You miss something in life if you never raise a puppy. Their smell, their soft fur, the promise for the future that they hold.

Every one of our dogs started out with us as a puppy so I can't relate to the experience of starting with an older dog. However, we've had many friends who do nothing but adopt older dogs and they swear by that experience. With puppies, the downside is the stress level and responsibility is so much higher. You have to be so vigilant and work so hard to shape their behavior and prevent them from getting into trouble or doing something that can be harmful.

On the other hand, there is no more rewarding experience than having a puppy eventually respond to your efforts and start looking to you with trust as you become the center of their universe. Our Mal, Bailey, was a little Tasmanian devil, full of energy, boundless enthusiasm, and not able to focus on anything longer than about 1/10 of a second. Eventually, as we progressed in our training and shaping of her behavior and learned how to get her good and tired, we formed a bond. Having a young dog's eyes that used to dart around trying to catch sight of everything in their world at once now look into your eyes when scared or seeking direction is the most rewarding and heart melting experience in the world. As Betty mentioned, throw in the puppy smell, soft fur, and their antics and curiousity, it's hard to beat.

I have done both...but I LOVE raising puppies. (3 w/l GSDs in the last 9 years.) Like stated already...pups are a labor of love...at least to me. I don't see it as work at all. I enjoy every minute of it. But there are others that do find it stressful & over-demanding. If you are not up to the task, or don't feel that you have the time that it takes to do it properly, as it takes about 2 years to have a pretty reliably trained dog, then you are better off getting any older dog.

With an older dog...you have 'history' that may or may not be what you would want. People have different expectations in what they want from a dog as far as behaviors are concerned. Like Bob said ...it is easier to train a pup to be the way you want, then to try to retrain a dog where things have already become ingrained.

Either way it is a good experience for both dog & owner.

Older dogs have lighbulb moments too. And it's just as rewarding to see them finally put 2 & 2 together and figure out what you want them to do.

Tucker had no training...none, and he had lived outside all his life. Housebreaking was a breeze, much easier than teaching a puppy (yes, i have housetrained a puppy so i know the time 7 patience it takes) and since he was older his need to go outside wasn't as frequent. And he caught on to everything else quickly too. And once I learned about Marker training, things just got easier..lol. You can bond with a dog at any age...Tucker is just as devoted to me as my previous dog I had that I got at 8 weeks.
I like the challenge of retraining or correcting someone else's mistakes. It's a very rewarding thing to rescue a dog and turn his life around.

Does Tucker have issues? Heck yes! He is DA, does not like any wrestling or any swinging action a person makes with their arms. It's hard to describe....if he sees someone swing a bat, golf club, tennis racket or even someone trying to pull start a lawn mower, he will lunge and bark. So I am not sure if people teased him by pretending to hit him or something, but it's definately something that puts him in defensive mode.

I don't have the time for a puppy. I work 9-5 every day and can't make it home for lunch so I don't think it would be fair to a pup. My next dog will also be a rescue, but I am thinking i'll try to get one that's in between 8 weeks & 8 months.

 Quote: Bob Scott

With the puppy you don't have any surprises with bad habits already developed. It's much easier to train a dog them break bad habits. .... With the older dog you may have a bit of a heads up as to health issues but along with that you also have behavioral issues you may not be aware of. ....

True. All true.

The satisfaction of taking a dog with a checkered past and working through his baggage is enormous, though.

And sometimes it's just a well-balanced dog who, through no fault of his own, has been surrendered and left homeless.

But yes, facing up front that there may and probably will be stuff to work through is crucial.


As Bob said:

"Lots of good reasons for both. You have to decide for yourself."

I've always chosen puppies.

1. I'm addicted to puppy breath.

2. I enjoy the challenge of puppy rearing. But it is hard, frustrating work sometimes, and takes daily (hourly?) commitment for months on end. Well-reared puppies don't become good dogs for at least two years, often three.

3. I prefer the "blank slate" potential you have with a puppy to shape his personality (with the understanding that every puppy is born with a temperament that you have to work with, not against.)

4. Dogs don't live long enough anyway. I want every possible year with them for myself.

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

Older dogs have lighbulb moments too. And it's just as rewarding to see them finally put 2 & 2 together and figure out what you want them to do.

Tucker had no training...none, and he had lived outside all his life. Housebreaking was a breeze, much easier than teaching a puppy (yes, i have housetrained a puppy so i know the time 7 patience it takes) and since he was older his need to go outside wasn't as frequent. And he caught on to everything else quickly too. And once I learned about Marker training, things just got easier..lol. You can bond with a dog at any age...Tucker is just as devoted to me as my previous dog I had that I got at 8 weeks.
I like the challenge of retraining or correcting someone else's mistakes. It's a very rewarding thing to rescue a dog and turn his life around.

Does Tucker have issues? Heck yes! He is DA, does not like any wrestling or any swinging action a person makes with their arms. It's hard to describe....if he sees someone swing a bat, golf club, tennis racket or even someone trying to pull start a lawn mower, he will lunge and bark. So I am not sure if people teased him by pretending to hit him or something, but it's definately something that puts him in defensive mode.

I don't have the time for a puppy. I work 9-5 every day and can't make it home for lunch so I don't think it would be fair to a pup. My next dog will also be a rescue, but I am thinking i'll try to get one that's in between 8 weeks & 8 months.

I just LOVE your post AND Connie's

I have always started with baby pups, and my son has always started with adult rescues -- IMHO the Pros & Cons are "6 of 1, half a dozen of the other, even money & take your choice" ... My best advice to the OP is: Figure out just exactly WHICH pros VS cons are Really Non-Negotiable for YOU and Then Decide Accordingly.

As a 10 week old puppy, my well-bred & well-socialized Akita bitch (who scored very well as a GREAT BET for a potential family pet on the Volhard temperament test @ 7 weeks of age) displayed the SAME reaction to anyone Wielding a "Stick" that your Tucker did as an adult rescue -- In-Born trait for her, and possibly for Tucker as well, though you cannot know whether it was a Learned Response for him ... But either way, it is something that can be adequately handled through proper Management & Training.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

I've always chosen puppies.

1. I'm addicted to puppy breath.

X100!! I wish they bottled it!