When it comes to choosing between a puppy or an older dog, they both have their pros and cons, and it all depends on what would suit your lifestyle better. 

A puppy can be hard work as they require around-the-clock attention, but as they grow you can shape their personality and behaviour for the better. An older dog can be a great addition to a family because you will skip the puppy developmental stages but may take some time to settle into your routine.

Before making a decision, consider what to expect with either a puppy or older dog, the pros and cons, and questions you should ask yourself before you go ahead. 

What to Expect With a Puppy

The main thing to consider if you are thinking about getting a puppy is the time and attention it will take to look after the little fluff ball. Particularly in the first few weeks, you will need to spend a lot of time at home with them, and they will need to be potty and crate-trained. 

You should expect a couple of sleepless nights, potty accidents inside, and a collection of chewed shoes at the beginning before you work your way toward a more well-behaved pup. 

Pros and Cons of Getting a Puppy

The pros and cons of getting a puppy can vary from person to person, as it completely depends on preferences. For example, getting a puppy will require a lot of patience as they will need to be house-trained – some people may have all the time in the world and therefore don’t mind spending this time training, however, other people may not have the time, and therefore a puppy may not be suitable for them.

Other pros and cons to consider are: 

  • Socialisation = Puppies will have to learn how to play with other puppies, dogs, and humans to develop their confidence. You will need to socialise your puppy properly, otherwise, you may experience problems in public.
  • Chewing = Now, if you don’t mind a couple of slippers being chewed to death, then you don’t need to worry about this one. However, just be mindful that puppies will love to chew things, and they definitely will! 
  • Nipping and biting = It’s to be expected, but puppies love to nip and bite, but they don’t mean to do it in a malicious way. It’s important to remember this if you have smaller children in the house.

At A&T Trained Dogs, our puppies for sale have passed our puppy breeding programme and have begun their training journey before being sold. Get in touch with our expert team to make an enquiry. 

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Puppy

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may want to consider opting for an older dog (or none at all).

  1. Do you work extremely long hours during the day and are rarely home? (It isn’t far to your puppy if you aren’t around to give them the attention they need)
  2. Do you have to travel often or make numerous trips throughout the year? (This applies to an older dog as well, unless you have alternative arrangements when you go on holiday)
  3. Do you have time to devote to training? 
  4. Are you ready for the responsibility that goes along with owning a puppy?

What to Expect with an Older Dog 

There is nothing wrong with getting an older dog, as they will provide constant love and affection. An older dog won’t require as much time and attention or exercise as a puppy will, however, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend as much time with them as possible. There’s no point in getting a dog if you are going to ignore them, you just won’t need to spend around-the-clock time with your older pooch.

It’s important to consider the age of the dog you want to get. Choosing a senior dog may mean they are likely to develop potential health issues which can increase vet bills. Senior dogs need love and affection too, so if you can prepare for this, then we highly recommend doing so. 

Pros and Cons of an Older Dog 

The pros and cons of getting an older dog can vary from person to person, as it completely depends on preferences. 

If you don’t have the time to devote to a puppy, opting for an older-trained dog may be the best decision to make. At A&T Trained Dogs, we have part-trained and fully-trained dogs for sale which have gone through our selection and training processes, which means they have already been trained in how they behave in various settings and understand what is expected from them by an owner. 

An older trained dog can be easier to integrate into your home life and becomes part of the furniture, responding to commands with ease. Of course, you should always plan the integration of any new dog into your family, making sure they are comfortable with their new surroundings. This is even more important if you have another dog already and/or you have young children in the home.

How A&T Trained Dogs Can Help You Choose

If you are still unsure whether a puppy or an older dog would be the right fit for you, our expert team at A&T Trained Dogs are happy to help. Either route you decide to go down, we have puppies, part-trained or fully-trained dogs for sale. And, if you require, we have got you covered with all aspects of dog training. We can help your puppy or dog to become obedient, show good behaviour in all environments and help you build a positive, trusting bond with your dog.