| − | [[File:AmberwPups.jpg|left|300px]] | + | [[File:AmberwPups.jpg|left|300px|Amber, a Treeing Walker hound, pulled with all her pups from Robeson County Animal Shelter, North Carolina, by Kobi's Promise rescue in January 2012]] |
| | Generally speaking, puppies under 4 months require a ton of attention, need to be positively and safely socialized to as many new experiences as possible, will pee everywhere constantly, and get adopted fast. Older puppies, adolescents, and young adults (4 months to 2 years) like to chew chew chew!, will need a ton of exercise to burn off their youthful energy, are much easier to potty train than younger puppies (mainly because they have better bladder/bowel control and can actually hold it for a couple of hours), and are at a prime age for training. Adults (2 years to 8 years) are past their puppy silliness, often already house trained (although given how many Southern dogs are "yard dogs," this is not a guarantee), and frequently have the most stable temperaments. Senior dogs (8+ years, sometimes a little younger for the very large breeds who age faster) tend to be calm, laid-back, undemanding companions perfect for less active homes. | | Generally speaking, puppies under 4 months require a ton of attention, need to be positively and safely socialized to as many new experiences as possible, will pee everywhere constantly, and get adopted fast. Older puppies, adolescents, and young adults (4 months to 2 years) like to chew chew chew!, will need a ton of exercise to burn off their youthful energy, are much easier to potty train than younger puppies (mainly because they have better bladder/bowel control and can actually hold it for a couple of hours), and are at a prime age for training. Adults (2 years to 8 years) are past their puppy silliness, often already house trained (although given how many Southern dogs are "yard dogs," this is not a guarantee), and frequently have the most stable temperaments. Senior dogs (8+ years, sometimes a little younger for the very large breeds who age faster) tend to be calm, laid-back, undemanding companions perfect for less active homes. |