Love Has No Age Limit: Welcoming an Adopted Dog Into Your Home

by Patricia B. McConnell, Karen B. London

Who says you have to get a puppy to create a bond? Adult dogs make excellent pets. Learn exactly what to do from the moment he walks into your home to avoid problems and how to retrain a dog with "issues."

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals, Self Help

95 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.

Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This useful short guide to adopting an older dog succinctly covers the basics and provides plenty of helpful references and links for more information. The format allows the reader to go right to chapter(s)/topics of interest, which include: Preparation, First Day, Settling Into a Daily Routine, Getting to Know Each Other, Veterinary Services, Training, and Behavior Problems 101 (information on separation anxiety, chewing, house training, resource guarding, reactivity, getting along with other dogs, and fearful dogs). I loved that the illustrations were all of rescued pets.

[Robin Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of what goes into adopting a rescue dog.

Such a helpful Book. The authors give us a really solid introduction to the many things involved when bringing a rescue dog home, everything from house training to dealing with fears. Even though they tackle some really serious issues, looking at many of the small and big things that can go wrong, The authors are encouraging and I am left with an overall feeling of hope, and a deep desire to bring a homeless dog into my home right now!

For me, the most valuable messages in this book are: patience, patience, and more patients. Also, that well we probably well on our way to being in love before we even bring the dog home, the dog is going to need more time and space to trust and fall in love with us. After all, no one sent the dog a memo telling her the adoption process was underway. This whole going to a new home thing is a complete surprise to her.

I suggest buying this book before you bring your dog home, reading all The way through, and keeping it close at hand for quick reference once you have the dog.

[Paddlingirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I read this book first

Then adopted a dog. This is my first rescue. I see so many mistakes that I made that if a I read the book first I may not have made. However, better late than never. The book helped me adjust my expectations and understand the phases an adopted dog may go through.

[Jazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is an excellent and concise summation of the most important things to know about adopting a dog and bringing it home. I've read other guides but nothing "to the point" and as helpful as this little book—and all under a 100 pages. Highly recommended!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little booklet for people thinking about adopting an adult dog. McConnell explains how to prepare for your adult dog's arrival, how to help her settle in, how to build a relationship with her, and more. She also briefly addresses some common problems: housetraining, chewing, separation anxiety, etc. The best part of the book is the bibliography at the end, arranged by subject such as "Crate Training," "Barking," "Fearful Dogs," "General Training," etc.

McConnell's booklet is brief and introductory; those expecting an in-depth discussion on training and behavior will be disappointed. The booklet should be treated more like a map; it will orient readers and set them off in the right direction. Once readers understand where they'd like go, they can use the resources in the back to find their way. (What a fabulous, up-to-date bibliography!)

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book we were sent home with after adopting our two new springer spaniels, ages 4 and 7. It's pretty common sense stuff but was a good reminder that, above all, dogs need patience and love. No matter how many stuffed animals they eat, how many 'accidents' they have in the house, and how many screen doors they bowl through (my last week in a nutshell; couldn't be more smitten). Concise and positive book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for people adopting dogs older than puppy age. The last several pages list out great further reading/websites for specific training issues and concerns. I plan to recommend this book to people who adopt my fosters because it's a great, simple starting point.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is less a book than a booklet, but it seems like a good, snappy resource for any potential dog-adopters out there

[Heather Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read, useful information

It was a pleasure to read this encouraging and realistic guide to compassionately caring for an adopted dog as you welcome them. into your home. The advice is straightforward, honest, and as the author suggests, "simple but not easy". This is a tidy little bundle of practical anticipatory guidance that every prospective dog owner would benefit from reading and heeding.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when i received this little reference book that I could not wait to finish what I had been reading— had to jump in right away! Perfect if you are considering adopting a pet or have a friend who wants a dog or cat but is wary of adopting from a shelter or rescue. Clear guidance on how to make it work, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for adopting older dogs

A nice, quick, comprehensive read that covers almost everything a new owner of an older dog may need to know. Nothing goes too in-depth but links to additional resources can provide additional reading if you want more information on a specific topic.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on adopting an adult dog that I've read to date! Patricia McConnell is my hero. Full review forthcoming on my dog blog, Doggerel.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended if you're thinking of adopting a dog. This guide is an excellent and concise summation of the most important things to know about adopting a dog and bringing it home. I've read other guides but nothing "to the point" and as helpful as this book. A great resource for people adopting dogs older than puppy age.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We knew we were going to adopt an older dog so, in preparation, we read this book. So helpful! We've had Lukas for 4 days now and we're following the advice - and things are going so smoothly.

Two recommendations - 1) adopt and 2) get this book!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great booklet (less than 100) and resource for when you first bring or have a newly adopted dog in your home. I went to school for animal care and work for behaviorist, and appreciate how much helpful and positive information is in this book- I highly recommend it!

[Sara Mazariegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some helpful tips

This book is useful for first-time adopters of older dogs. I learned a lot and I have adopted an older dog before! Next time, I'll be even better prepared and more patient. They say "patient" a lot in this. 😆

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief, concise summary of how to bring home a rescue dog

I got this as a tool to talk to my family about bringing home a rescue dog. There is not enough detail in this short book to really work out a plan for training a rescue, but there is enough to be a starting point.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might have given it a 5 if I’d gotten the book BEFORE it got the dog! LOL
Very helpful information. I didn’t realize how little I knew about adopting adult dogs.
A must read for folks to read as they consider adopting a dog—especially if it’s a second dog.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for adopting a dog into your home. Has the basics with recommendations for additional help.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems full of good advice told with heart and humor. Still we won't know until we get our new dog home.

[Inma Aran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una guía muy sencilla para personas que no tienen ningún conocimiento técnico sobre gestión del comportamiento canino.

[Kerrie Hoar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good dog training book by Patricia McConnell.  This one delves into the positive aspects of adopting an adult book and how to retrain some of the issues that your new adult dog may come with.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good quick guide for the basics of bringing in an adult pupper. I will definitely keep this book handy as I begin my fostering journey.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick instructional guide on how to adopt older dogs. How to prepare. What to expect/anticipate. How to make the transition for both the dog and it's people go as smoothly as possible.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful

[Laura Skladzinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, easy read that taught me a lot about what to expect when adopting a rescue dog. Lots of great advice and yet easily digestible.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful introductory book

[Karina Loayza · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful

As the authors honestly say the book doesn’t cover all all the possible topics however, this book is very helpful and thorough

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while preparing to adopt an eleven year old dog. Although the adoption did not happen in the end, this book was very interesting to read. It is the only resource on adopting adult dogs that I have found so far, and it is very well written. It covers everything from arriving at your home, to housetraining, to dealing with problems the dog might have. After reading this book along with some other works by Patricia McConnell and Cesar Millan, to name a few, I felt prepared to adopt an adult dog.

[Micha Goebig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for first-time adopters of an adult rescue dog. I would have given five stars if it weren’t fully targeted at suburban dog owners, without a single sentence on big city living where people don’t have a backyard and therefore can’t keep their new dog away from people and other dogs in the first few days, etc.