Getting an older puppy (8-9 months old) - is it an issue?

[mack77]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for oppinions and if anyone who has experience in similar situation to share their experience.

I'm currently looking for a puppy (I lost my dog almost a year ago and I think I am ready to take in another puppy) and I have the opportunity to get an 8 months old toy poodle, he will probably be 9 months old by the time I have him, if everything is alright.

I am a little bit concerened about getting an older puppy, I was expecting to get a puppy at 3 months, so I am worried if this will impact bonding with him, his adjustment period, etc. If anyone who got an older puppy could share expereince, oppinion, thoughts, that would be very helpful.

I know that initial training might be a bit challenging in the begining, as the puppy is from another country and he is used to be spoken to in another language, but I expect to over come this fairly quickly. I am mostly concerned if his charecter is developed too much and what if he doesn't accept me and doesn't develop a strong bond. For me this is the most important aspect - I want a dog that will be affectioned and attached and will be close to me, not see me just as his caretaker. I had a very strong bond with my previous dog and even though I know this would be a different dog and a different relationship, I am still ultimatley looking for a very close bond with the dog I will take in.

I'm sorry if my post is a bit long. Any advice, shared expereince will be very helpful. Thank you!

 

[addraornun]

@mack77 I have been in both situations! And hopefully can help you. Nine months is still fairly young and considering dogs live a long time when well taken care of, your bond can be strong regardless if you put in the work. My first dog got home when he was a year old, and he was also a poodle. I had some flukes with potty training, because no one had taught him to pee outside, but he was otherwise well behaved. It really depends on who had him before you. You should ask about his habits there and what rules he was used to. Modifying any behavior might be tough, but in terms of bonding, he still has a long life ahead to love you. He might be a bit homesick at first, but he is fairly young.

I also have a poodle mix that got home when she was barely thirty days. She was a rescue, I took her from a box of puppies when she was terribly feverish. I nursed her back to health, and the only difference I notice with my other dog is that she is much more sure of herself and entitled. She sleeps in bed with me, and in furniture, while the my boy sleeps on his bed and wouldn't dream of getting on the couch uninvited like she does. Just like a cat, she thinks she owns the place in a loveable way. I suppose she is much poorly trained and more coddled than him (I raised her) but I don't think she loves me more. They both seek me out for cuddles and play. It's just that their affection is different, because he was already trained and she never was. You might have to keep that in mind. An older dog might mean different habits but it won't mean he loves you less.

 

[mack77]

@addraornun Thank you very much! I am very hopefull that it would be ok, after all he is still a puppy, eventhough slightly older. I know that he is well socialized with other dogs, I assume with people as well and, like you said, we will have time to develop a strong bond. Also poodles are known to be very affectioned and attached to their owners, so in theory it should all be all right. My concern was becasue I expected to get a younger puppy and my previous dog was much yonger when we got him, so I have no expereince with getting an older puppy. But thank you once again for your reply, it is really helpful.

 

[addraornun]

@mack77 I am sure it will fine! Dogs are adaptable and he will pick up on your love and love you back if you are kind to him. If he is well socialized, you get the chance to do more bonding activities, like going out with him if he is used to it, or to play in the park. Just pay attention to him, because it is true he might have more of a personality than a younger puppy and see what he likes. Best of luck!

 

[3pete333]

@mack77 I took on my sisters ex partners staffy at 18 months old. She had never really been given any training apart from bits when they took her to ours that i had done with them and my gf and kids didn't like her as she still nipped chewed things and was so hyper.

4 years ago, they had split, and neither could keep her due to living arrangements, so they asked if I would look after her for a few months until 1 of them sorted themselves out. My my girlfriend and my kids didn't want her, but I said that I couldn't just let them hand her to just anybody, so I convinced them to have her as long as I put the time in to train her.

I put in the time and effort, and all the family love her. After having her for a year, I got my sister and her partner to sign her over to us as there was no way we could let her go.

If you put time and effort into loving and teaching them, then they will give u all love in return

 

[rd0845336]

@mack77 The dog you get determines the level of bonding, not the age of the dog, or else older dogs would never become “the best dog of my life” as they so often do.

I have raised puppies and I’ve imported grown dogs. How they connect to me or I to them was never based on their age.

 

[rosina]

@mack77 You’ve missed it’s major socialisation period so that’s always a risk

 

[rosina]

Dogs have their first major socialisation period form around 7-15 weeks so you want them to be introduced to things they are expected to cope with during adult life during that time. There are studies that show dogs who aren’t socialised enough or shown certain things during this first period struggle to ever accept them. So find out what they’ve been exposed to and then you can work on training and conditioning those things you think necessary

 

[rosina]

Socialisation and habituation

 

[mack77]

@rosina Thank you for your reply! I agree and I am very much aware that socialization is very important. I know that the puppy is well socialized with other dogs and people as well. I am confident in the breeder and also have spoken with other people who have gotten their dogs from them, so I am not worried about this.