Most of the time people purchase new puppies and bring them home around the age of six to eight weeks. This is the perfect time period in which they are best to be weaned from their mother and conditioned to live with you and the rest of the family. It makes bonding much easier because you have immediately replaced the puppy’s mother with yourself.

On the other hand, there are many times when older puppies become available for sale. These dogs may be older than 10 weeks, 12 weeks, or even up to six months and still considered to be puppies. Like making any decision out of the norm, there are pros and cons to bringing home and older puppy.

What considerations should you keep in mind when deciding on an older puppy?

One of the biggest benefits of getting an older puppy right off the bat is that their behavior is a lot more calm than a younger pup and the dog has usually been socialized to a small degree when it comes to the day-to-day chaos of living in a house with other people. Their first home has already conditioned them for you.

Watch out for older puppies that may have been neglected. It is important not to be too naive when you are discussing the option of buying an older puppy from someone. Not everybody sells their dogs for positive reasons. Some owners are trying to get rid of them simply because they couldn’t take care of the puppy’s needs and due to this reason they probably neglected the dog for a long period of time.

The results of this unfortunate living situation could have produced anxiety and stress related disorders to the dog. Because you cannot get all of this information with your first meeting of your potential new puppy, it is important to bring all the members of your family with you to look at the dog. Make sure they all get a chance meet the dog. Look closely at how he interacts with the other members of your family. Does he seem nervous? Do you sense any aggression? Is his approach with confidence or shyness? These are possible signs that the animal has developed some sort of mental condition as a result of the lack of human contact.

And of course, you’ll want to ask the owner a few basic questions before making a buying decision. Ask if the dog has had any type of training. Find out firsthand if the puppy displays any behavioral bad habits such as aggression, chewing, or excessive barking. Also, make sure that this is the first and only home the dog has been in. If he has lived elsewhere before the current owner then find out why he was sold. These are just a few of the basic questions you should know to ask. Add more questions to your list for better due diligence.

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If you are considering buying a puppy for the first time and are not sure whether or not bringing a pet into the house will be a positive experience, just ask around and I can guarantee that you will never find a dog owner who was not happy.  Puppies are a great addition to any household, regardless if you have children, whether you are retired, and even if you are a busy young adult going to school or just getting started in life.

Are you retired?

If you are hitting the retirement years of your life then this is a perfect time to make an addition to the house by buying a new puppy.  Your schedule is going to be a lot more leisurely than ever before and this gives you plenty of time to love and tend to your puppy.

Be sure to do a little bit of research first on dog breeds that will suit your retirement years.  I say this because if you are in need of a relaxed and quiet atmosphere, then certain dogs will not fit well in your home and others may be a bit on the noisy side.  But don’t worry, there is a perfect dog for every person out there.

Are you a busy young adult going to school or just getting started on your own?

Yes, getting a puppy can also suit you well even if you are a young person who is busy with school or starting a new career.  There is nothing like coming home from a long day of work or a busy class schedule, and right into the arms of your lovable dog that has a seemingly endless amount of affection and love to give you. But first, consider the responsibilities of a new puppy, especially for your busy lifestyle.

1. Remember that dogs, especially young puppies, need one-on-one interaction almost constantly.

2. Most adults are on a tight budget and if your one of them then you need to consider the cost of maintaining a dog.  Between pet food and veterinarian checkups, these costs can add up.

3. Think long term.  Where are you going to be in five to ten years? are you willing to keep your pet around for the long haul? Remember that dogs are not a temporary relationship, these lovable guys and gals will be with you for the next 10 to 20 years.

Are you married and have children?

There should be no doubt in your mind that a new puppy would be great for the kids. I have yet to meet a young child that does not adore and fall in love with every puppy they see. Getting a new puppy will also teach your children a little bit about responsibilities and how to take care of an animal.  Just use caution, however, when selecting a breed to introduce to your kids. Some dogs are not capable of handling the rough play that most children get into.

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