Do you think you bond more strongly with a puppy than an adult dog adoptee? (chihuahua, vet)
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I have been thinking about past dogs and our bonds. It seems that those I raised from a wee pup were extremely bonded to me compared to those dogs I adopted as younger/adult dogs. What do you think? Do you think the bond is stronger with a dog when you raise it as a puppy?
I've had mine since he was 8 weeks old and he is so attached to me that I can't do anything without him being by my side. He's not at all like that with my husband. We have a bond that I can guarantee I will never again have with another dog. I love him to death and I think because I've had him from such a young age we were able to bond on a deepr level than if I had gotten him at 4 years. Yes, I have a somewhat unnatural relationship with my dog, but I love him more than anything and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I don't think there's any difference. I got my boy (pug) when he was a pup and my rescue chihuahua when she was (purportedly) 7 years old (the vet and I both thought she was older. They both are utterly attached to me. I'm bonded with both equally and I can't imagine life without either of them.
The love I feel is so overpowering that I rarely notice age.
I remember when old man got into his last days. He was grey and everything else, but in my mind, he was just my dog. I didn't notice what age he was anymore.
However, at this point in my life, I am more likely to adopt an older dog.
My experience may be somewhat skewed in that I have either gotten them as young pups or as seniors who were about ten years old. I have never gotten a dog who was a young adult.
I've had 4 from puppyhood and there's a sense of - they are mine and I am theirs, we belong to each other. Two of those are still with me although Nikki can not possibly last much longer, he is 15-1/2 years old and spends most of his time sleeping.
I've adopted 5 seniors and two of those are still with me. They come to me with a lifetime of experiences that I know nothing about. Our relationship is more about me trying to provide them with a good life for whatever time they have left. I only had Sam for a year, Sandy lasted 19 months.
Bay and Monty have been with me for 3-1/2 years and still doing well.
I think that my time with the older dogs is somewhat akin to my time with the many foster dogs who stay with me for a few weeks or a few months but ultimately move on the a new home. From the moment that I get them I expect that they will only be with me for a short while and so I don't let myself get as attached. (Except for Denali who I really really wanted to keep but ultimately let him go to a great family where he is any only dog)
The strongest bond I have had with a dog is one I got when he was two years old. Before I got him he was well trained but most of his life was as a working kennel dog and with me he is also part of our family.
With my experience between my two dogs I think Buster and I are bonded a lot differently and a lot stronger than Bella and I.
I got Buster when he was 7 weeks old, and he too follows me everywhere, even to the bathroom. I have no peace and quiet with this dog, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
Bella I got when she was 3 months old as a rescue, she instantly bonded with my boyfriend, her bond with me came months later after he had to move back to Massachusetts. I'm not sure if that was because she had an instant bond with my boyfriend, if it was because Buster got a little jealous and attempted to steal all the attention I would give to her to himself, or if that's just the way she is.
I love them both equally, but I think Buster and I are bonded either more or just differently because I had him since he was a baby.
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