Let's talk about the pros and cons of training puppies and older dogs, while considering their energy levels. Whether you're planning to adopt a new dog or just want to learn more about dog training, this video will help you make an informed decision.
We'll cover early socialization, bonding experiences, and the benefits of training puppies, as well as the challenges they pose. On the other hand, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of training older dogs, including their established training habits and potential health issues.
As a professional dog trainer, I'll share some personal anecdotes and experiences with both puppies and older dogs, touching upon topics like housebreaking, managing high energy levels, and customizing training approaches.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 intro
0:42 let’s say you’re getting a new dog
1:07 PROS of young puppies
3:08 CONS of young puppies
5:05 PROS of adult dogs
6:45 CONS of older dogs
8:51 dog training advice for all ages
Adult dog for me! ☺ Both of my last dogs were about 8 months old when I got them though. That was perfect for me. Seems most people want puppies, so I’d rather give an adult dog a home.
I fostered 2 dogs, a puppy on 7 months and an adult dog on 3 years. Belive it or not but the puppy issues was nothing compared the older dogs issues… :””)) it was suuupeeer stressful with the bigger dog than with the puppy. Probably because the puppy didn’t have any “awful habits” except not potty trained and liked to chew on things. But however the older dog wasn’t potty trained either, she also had severe separation anxiety and was pulling on leash and the worst part was probably the separation anxiety. Alot of walking in and out the door and her screaming every time i went out if her sight. It was super hard on me aswell::((♡ but 1 month of constant training her separation anxiety was completely gone! and THAT’S a WIN for me!
I’ve fostered a puppy and lots of adult dogs. Hands down adult dogs are easier. I love other people’s puppies. 😂
I like puppies from the point of knowing their background. But one 3 month old farm puppy was afraid of the dark, the colour black and many other things.
I have also taken on 3 older dogs.
Trixie was only a few months but hadn’t been properly housetrained and thought carpet was the same as grass. Also she never got over wanting to aggressively fight my mother’s dog.
Bran was a GSD who had been taught to attack if anyone pointed and said “kill” and it’s amazing how many teenagers do that!
I was asked to take Bryn (because I had done such a good job of bringing up my son) and she was a serious resource guarder. She also loved cats so I bought her a kitten. She was seriously brilliant with cats. When I rescued Jet (an injured cat who turned up on my doorstep and neighbours said was vicious), Bryn stayed absolutely still while Jet took hold of her nose between his claws. After that magic moment he adored her.
The two dogs I’ve had came to me at age 4, and so I’ve only ever known having adults. They were both the best dogs I could have possibly lived with.
I would absolutely love to raise a puppy for the first time, knowing everything that I know now about training but I would absolutely get another adult in need. So I’m undecided as to how old my next dog is going to be. I’m open to anything!
Bringing older dogs together with children makes me nervous because I don’t know what their past was like. Also, I don’t know certain things that might set them off.
When I got my dog Ranger as a 15 week old I mostly wasn’t overwhelmed but that’s because I took him to puppy classes. I will be getting a new puppy soon and I choose puppy for a few reasons but two main ones are… One my bf has never experienced a puppy before and two the type of pup I’m getting, I want to make sure I do proper social training with him. This means taking more puppy classes because it’s more for the dog than me and going around a lot of people/animals to help the pup have a more polite attitude towards them.
Zac – I’ve been enjoying seeing Chop, Moira, your “foster dogs”.
Would you consider just doing a little catch up on them now?
I’ve trained my 16 month old dog from when he was a puppy and of course there were times where I was overwhelmed but overall it wasn’t bad and I’ll GLADLY do it again. I choose the puppy!
I was dog sitting a 10 week old Rottweiler puppy and honestly it was one of the most exhausting things I’ve ever done…I’ve always wanted a puppy but this experience has made me think could I do this every day 24/7 and now I’m considering an older dog. This video has come at the perfect time for me, and has some great info! Thanks Zak!
We just reached 6 mos. old with our puppy. It’s been 25 years since I had a pup. I had forgotten everything! The cuteness factor wears off about night 5 of no sleep. I really feel I missed the puppy stage in a blur of teeth, claws, pee and poop. Now that we’re 99% house trained, we’re trying hard to bond. But I worry I’ve already scarred her for life with my frustration and impatience. And so much of it is ego, isn’t it? I was determined to be the best dog trainer this time around. And she just laughed at me. Seriously won’t do a puppy again. I think there’s a lot to be said for the gratitude that a rescue dog gives when you provide them a loving home. Pupster here is grateful for nothing! It’s just all about her, 24/7 (as it should be, of course). 🤣 Still hovering around a 6!
The disadvantage of an older dog is that you know the end is sooner rather than later 🙁
Sigh if jumping is so “easily addressed” I feel like a complete failure. My border collie is 1 year old and I can’t manage her jumping on people and counters even though I’ve watched so many videos on it and tried everything. I also feel very discouraged when I see how calm and well behaved other people’s 1 year old dogs are because my dog still has so much to learn – and mind you it’s not like I’m neglecting her – I literally spend all my waking hours teaching her how to behave! 😢
I’ve had both adult dogs and young puppies in my life. It doesn’t really matter about the life stage of the dog. Whatever age dog you bring home you’re going to have put in a lot of training and you’re going to be on a steep learning curve. It’s such a big commitment. The dog is going to be with you for life and become your best friend. You can’t let them down.
Love The topics you’ve been posting lately ❤
After 25 years of being parents to older rescue Westies, we decided to go with a pup this time. He’s been with us two weeks and is now 10 weeks old. Whew. It’s been crazy hard with moments of wonder and fun. There’s two of us do we’ve divided tasks. He gets Finn at night (gets up three to four times every night) and I take him at 6 am. I’ve learned a lot from this channel and we try to keep steady with what we’ve learned. A small playpen we can take from room to room has been helpful, altho he’s already not happy about being in it. A larger pen in living room is also helpful if he can see us. Finally, he has a smaller crate at night that he seems to love. We put it on a table next to the bed so he can see whoever is sleeping there.
For toilet training, we’re doing a mix of cloth pads inside (he tears up the paper ones) and going outside during the day as much as we can. That’s been really helpful at night because we don’t have a proper yard and it’s easier to take him from crate to pad. But we intend to ease into outdoors only by the time he’s 14 weeks.
I admit that I’ve second guessed what we’ve done more than once. There have been hard moments where I wondered if we can do it—and do it right. There’s been tears and hurting backs. But it’s also been miraculous to look into his tiny face and see how our two other Westies looked. It’s been amazing to see how fast he learns and adapts.
If I could go back to two weeks ago and not go thru with this? The honest answer is I don’t know. But I do know that we’re committed to him now and look forward to watching him as he grows up.
I’m from the Philippines and I always rely on your videos when it comes to training my dogs. your videos helped me a lot.
I went into getting Elsa (BC) knowing full well I would have days of no sleep, early mornings, late nights, giving up a lot of things, so I was very mentally prepared. I wasn’t prepared for quite how high drive she was, however on the flip side, her focus and desire to please are extremely high also. Shes not my first, and won’t be my last dog that I’ve trained, so I have some significant experience with both big and small dogs. There are days where I struggle with her, where our energy levels simply don’t match, but over all, she is 100% worth all the effort. On a scale of 1/10 of how overwhelmed I am, on a whole I would say a 2.5. I went into it with my eyes open, well researched, well prepared and with plenty of experience. Her heat has been a bit difficult due to her messing up her diaper unexpectedly, but over all, our bond is super strong due to raising her from literally 15 minutes old to now (10 months), her training is coming along well and very rapidly to the point where i’m trying to slow down a bit, over all shes a joy to have around and for her age, extremely easy to work with on in agility training.
I will echo this, pick your breed based on their usual energy levels. Their personalities can be shaped, as can their skills. Their energy levels will still vary dog to dog, however it will give a guid as to heir trainability. eg, don’t get a high energy dog, such as a hearding dog or lab and expect them to be a lapdog, and also don’t get a lazier breed or one which has difficulty with exercise such as a pug and expect them to do agility. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but think about why you’re getting a dog before you get one. Energy levels may also dictate their drive to learn, and how food or play motivated they are, which may impact the over all time and energy effort required to train them. If you’re time poor, take this into consideration, also, if you’re a bit more apathetic, inactive or not very active/low energy, consider this also. The dog might change this for you, or you might need to engage a trainer, no judgement here, but what ever your lifestyle, plan ahead and be honest with yourself.
I have raised 8 of my 10 dogs from puppies, with each one its gotten easier, partly due to an increase in breed intelligence, drive of the dogs and myself, my age and my skill in handling. The adult outcomes of each dog is evident of that. You will make mistakes, I have made many, but its not the end of the world, and you can fix them. Do the best you can, if you need help, ask for it, hire a trainer to guide you if you need to or get you over a hurdle.
Honestly my overwhelm is about 7 now. We are 4 months in with the puppy (she is now 6 months) and my god it was though. We live in an apartment and i have chronic migraines and another older dog. I was as prepared as I could be but it is so much damn work and it takes all my patience some days. 😅😂 it is down to a 7 now because she is potty trained and we have removed all things she could pee on or wreck 🫢
I love her because she is so sweet and is learning so much. So quickly. But damn how many times I have cried of not knowing if I am doing okay. 🤓
This was great. Thank you so much, Zak. I’m an aspiring dog parent. I’m finally in a place where I can start planning. I’m definitely torn between these two topics. I hope to come to a decision soon. I appreciate all your great videos and helpful tips.