Allowing a child the opportunity to have a dog can provide many valuable lessons about love, friendship, and responsibility. Dogs and children are as natural a combination as peanut butter and jelly. If your child expresses an interest in a pet, you should at least give the idea some thought.
Benefits of Getting Your Children a Dog
Learn Responsibility
Depending on your child’s age, having a pet is one of the best ways to teach them about responsibility. Make it clear to your child that the dog depends on them for food, water, and to be let outside, as well as for grooming. Consider creating a chart to help your child track tasks and check them off when completed. If your child fails to let the dog outside and the pet has an accident on the floor, it should be their responsibility to clean it up.
The level of responsibility should vary based on your child’s age. For very young children, start with small tasks, gradually increasing the level of responsibility as they grow.
Companionship
A dog can be a wonderful companion and friend to a child, and this bond can be especially meaningful to an only child. For families who move frequently—such as military families—having a dog can ease the trauma of relocation. While your child will still have to leave behind most of their friends, having a dog means they’ll always have their “best” friend with them.
Love and Loss
The lessons a child learns by having a dog are not always pleasant, but they are important. Owning a dog gives a child the opportunity to experience the pain of losing someone they love. Losing a pet teaches children about the grieving process. Parents should treat the death of a pet as a teaching moment. If the dog becomes ill, use that time to teach your child about selflessness and being there for loved ones in their time of need. While it’s a sad lesson, if taught properly, it will help your child as they grow into adulthood.
Choosing a Dog
While there isn’t a specific breed that is necessarily a poor choice for a child, it’s essential to consider your child’s personality when selecting a dog. If your child is very active, choose a breed that can keep up with their energy level. Conversely, if your child tends to be more sedentary, a less active dog may be a better fit. Of course, selecting a highly energetic dog for an inactive child might be a good way to encourage your child to become more active!
If your child spends a lot of time away from home due to extracurricular or social activities, choose a dog that requires less human interaction—unless there are other family members willing to engage with the dog.
Remember, dogs and children should complement each other’s lives, not interfere with them. There are breeds to suit every lifestyle and personality. By doing a little research before selecting a dog, you can help ensure the best match.
Keep in Mind
Small children should never be left alone with a dog, regardless of the breed. Babies, in particular, should always be under close supervision when a dog is present. Sometimes, when a baby is injured by a family pet, it’s not because the dog was being aggressive. Often, injuries happen because the dog is simply playing with the child in ways that the baby may not be able to understand. Close supervision can help prevent such accidents.
Even with older children, it’s wise to monitor their interactions with the dog until you’re certain that both the child and the dog understand the acceptable boundaries. For example, you want to ensure that your child isn’t hitting or unintentionally hurting the dog during play. Likewise, you want to make sure that the dog isn’t trying to dominate your child during their interactions. This will require some work on your part until the dog learns their place within the family.
Realistic Expectations
Before bringing the dog home, your child will promise you that they’ll handle all the responsibilities—feeding, grooming, walking, and cleaning up after the dog. They may swear on their PlayStation that they’ll be the world’s most responsible dog owner. The truth is, while your child may have the best intentions, there will likely be times when you’ll need to step in to clean up messes or take care of the dog.
As mentioned earlier, dog ownership is an excellent way to teach your child about responsibility, but it won’t happen overnight. If you anticipate that you’ll need to pick up the slack as your child learns the ropes, it will be far less frustrating than if you expect to never have to lift a finger when it comes to dog care.
Even if your child is very responsible, having a dog in the family will likely add extra chores for mom and dad. Dogs shed, so you may find yourself vacuuming and dusting more often. There will be times when the dog needs to be walked or fed, and your child may not be home to take care of it.
Despite these small inconveniences, the companionship and joy a dog brings to your child are well worth the effort. Dogs and children make a wonderful combination that will leave your whole family with beautiful memories of your child’s “best friend.”
