If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, but cringe at the idea of having to housetrain a puppy, then the adult dog may be for your. While it’s true that some adult dogs are up for adoption because they have been mistreated, either by their family or as a producer of puppies for a puppy mill, this doesn’t make adult dogs ‘criminals. Most adoptable adult dogs were given up by families who found that they couldn’t afford the time or money to maintain dog ownership, got them for a child or relative who tired of them, or simply got lost and were never found.

Adult dogs are often at least partially trained, so housebreaking is no longer a major concern. Another benefit of adopting an adult dog is that they have outgrown the hyperactivity and love of chewing that younger dogs often display. Meanwhile, they’re just as willing and ready to play, without having to be calmed down in between.

Adult dogs are just as willing to find a new family and become part of a “pack” again as younger dogs, but are often more sensitive to their family’s needs and placement in the pack, meaning less headaches as you teach your dog their status in your family. While some people believe that adult dogs may not be as loyal or loving to a new family as a puppy, this is a myth. Adult dogs tend to spend just as much energy loving their new family as a puppy does, without requiring as much effort to train.