Dogs are some of the best first pets that a child can ever have. They are affectionate by nature and they are also capable of becoming aggressive in order to protect the family.
They are intelligent enough to be trained, and they are extremely loyal to the point that it’s common to see parents leaving their children with their dogs. Should You Adopt an Adult Dog or a Puppy?
Your Kid’s First Pet: Should You Adopt an Adult Dog or a Puppy?
However, these traits don’t always ring true for every dog that you encounter. Each breed varies and well, each dog from a specific breed varies. There’s a reason that it’s always better to get a puppy versus getting a fully grown dog. Behavior, even in dogs, is shaped by experience.
A grown dog may have been abused during its early stages and this would later have a negative effect on the dog’s gregariousness towards strangers. This may even mean that the dog may have violent tendencies, even if unprovoked. CBD oil for dogs may help with that.
Age is just one factor to consider when deciding between a puppy or an adult dog. So, before you visit Maryland Puppies Online or your local pet store, here are a few things you need to know.
Emotional Maturity
Primarily, puppies are to be treated the same way you would treat babies. You have to give them a lot of your time, care, and attention. They may be full of promise, but for that promise to be attained you need to put in a lot of work.
Puppies are just beginning to make sense of the world around them, and one traumatic experience could forever ruin something that’s supposed to be fun. On the other hand, adult dogs have gained enough experience to ascertain whether a certain scene should be perceived as a threat or not.
Owner Friendliness
This can be compared to the “ease of use” factor we consider in products. As previously surmised, puppies are a lot of work and they may not be the best option for first-time dog owners.
Depending on how they were raised, some adult dogs may already be fully trained. This entails that they are able to follow commands, do tricks, and even communicate through non-verbal means.
Predictability
Puppies are unpredictable. You won’t be able to tell how big they’re going to grow, or what their habits are going to be like. Adopting a puppy is pretty much like buying a lottery ticket. Some puppies are sickly and some are healthy.
The trouble here is that if you end up with a sickly puppy, your kid might not be getting a first pet, but rather a first heartache — the concept of death is extremely traumatizing for a child.
Adult dogs are more predictable both in their habits and in their health. They most likely have been completely vaccinated and they have also been able to develop their own personalities.
Conclusion
For first-time dog owners, adult dogs are going to be the better choice. It’s almost the same concept as learning how to ride a bike — you start with training wheels before learning to completely balance your bike. And remember, if you go on vacation, make sure you plan ahead and find a pet-friendly hotel!