Re-training an Adult

Adult dogs need lots of attention to make the transition from one home to another. The dog knows that it has been moved and it takes some effort on the new owners part to help the dog make the adjustment and bond to the new home. All adult dogs, no matter which breed that you adopt, must be re-trained to the new home. This is because a dog is trained to go out a certain door at a particular house to a spot in the yard at that home. The new owner does not have the same door nor the same yard. There is always some work involved in adopting a dog whether a puppy or adult. Basically, just because a dog is housetrained at my house doesn’t mean that you won’t have to do a few weeks of re-training to show the dog where to go potty in the new environment. I give several pages of written instructions as well as “tech support” with each Cavalier that we place.

Many people have the opinion that adopting an adult is less work than adopting a puppy. That is not true. It isn’t less work, it is just different work. The work with a puppy is the housetraining. Although there is some re-housetraining, the main work with an adult is the bonding. An adult KNOWS that it has been moved from its home. I like to compare the two dog situations to adopting children. A puppy is like adopting a newborn, it bonds immediately as long as its needs for food and nurture are met.  Adopting an adult  dog is like adopting a 7 year old child who is bewildered by the traumatic move from original home and parents. It takes time and attention to gain trust and become “Mom and Dad” for the adult dog. In many ways, adopting an adult is more difficult and time consuming that adopting a puppy— especially if the new owners are not experienced with dogs.

All that being said, each adult dog is individual. You might find a few Cavaliers who adapt immediately to the new home, but most would need time and attention for the placement to be successful.

Also, placing an adult dog is like matchmaking. There will be many dates before you find someone you love. That is why I always want the adult dog and the possible owner to meet before any decision is made. Even Cavaliers will let you know if they don’t want to go home with someone.

Many people think that adopting an adult is “work free” and easier than a puppy. It isn’t. The best home for an adult dog is one where there is someone at home during the day or at least for the first few weeks at the new home.