Dogs and children are generally very good friends, as dogs are always keen to protect their best friend. Though, of course, children and dog get along, kids don’t know better, and that’s why they usually start pulling on the dog’s hair, tail and ears. Speaking of ears, when kids scream alongside a dog, it affects the dog even if they don’t touch it directly. It scares the puppy, as it has sensitive ears in your pooch.
Kids and dogs are those combinations that go so well together. The essence of what happens to this mix is entirely based on you, the parent (parents) and how you handle the situation. This usually starts with a kid nagging for a puppy and nagging. Finally, you give in and go for a puppy.
Before you give in and go cheerfully to find your pet, take a few minutes to think about what will happen next. You want your child to be happy, and you believe that adopting a dog will teach your child responsibility and you might even have a mindset that says you can still take the dog to the shelter if it doesn’t work out. It is the way of thinking of the general, but there is more to it than that.
You want your child to be happy, of course, puppies and kittens bring you happiness. Puppies do help teach responsibilities to children but would you expect a child to be responsible 24/7? Clearly not! The question here is how much responsibility do you want to take on?
Puppies/dogs need care, they ‘re going to cost an already tight budget with veterinarian costs, they ‘re going to eat special foods, and they can damage personal belongings and properties. Are you ready to take responsibility for that part?
Bringing a puppy/dog home from the pet store and shelter is like hoping to find the gold pot at the end of a rainbow, with the hope that all the promises the child has made will be fulfilled. A pretty idea, but still unlikely. Kids are kids and many of “the dreams of today” turn out to be memories of tomorrow.
Be realistic and seek your inner being to see if you are really willing to assume the responsibility of “all” when your child fails.
Threatening to take the puppy/dog back to the shelter or shop is a wrong way of showing a child responsibility. The first impression it gave the child is that a pet (cat or dog) is a “throw-away object,” it doesn’t have any worth and can be discarded like an old pair of shoes.
The child can say “take it away” in a fit of anger and does not mean it. Which are the emotions the child will encounter until the puppy/dog is gone? Guilt, sorrow, tears and probably the feeling of guilt may pass in a few days or weeks, but it can also be the beginning of an inability to do anything in later life.
Getting a puppy/dog is a parent (parents) opportunity to teach a child not just responsibility, but empathy for another living being. A parent is given a chance to be a positive role model for the child. One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is teaching dedication, along with responsibility and caring with love.
A parent must teach a child that there’s no turning back once a promise is made. Taking privileges away from the child is an excellent way to teach responsibility for not doing its fair share. Removing the dog is not a good idea, as this tells a child that a pet is useless and can be discarded anytime he/she wishes. A lesson like that can have far-reaching effects on relationships in later life.
The idea of adopting a dog is not intended to be a spur of the moment. The implications of having a pet should be explained to the child and you, the parent, will take time to consider the obligations of time, energy and resources that you will have to bear.
If you’re willing to be the responsible party, unless you’re diligent in teaching proper pet care to your kids, and unless you know in your heart that a pet is a beautiful addition to your family, don’t get one.
There are so many dogs roaming the streets, living in cages in animal shelters and being slaughtered every day because of people who got a dog on a lark, without regard for their life, treatment or what happened to it when they lost interest. Do not be one of those!
Assist children to get responsible by being a role model. Children love wildlife. Parents should teach children about animal care and duty for animals to foster a healthy relationship between child and pet. Let them learn how to walk your dog. To help pick up the pet supplies and food, take them to the pet store and show them where you keep those supplies. Dog ownership should be fun, but don’t even forget to teach the part of the job. Dogs need to be walked, groomed, educated, cherished and your child will learn it all, don’t ask a child to be responsible 24/7, that’s the role of a parent.
Only one last thing, do not let your very young child be alone with a dog or puppy in any circumstances. Young kids don’t understand how a puppy or a dog should be handled, and you don’t know what can excite a dog and cause it to bite your child. Most of the dog bites on kids as the result of a dog/puppy left with a child alone, and it gets bitten. No one will know what was behind the bite and so it’s best not to leave a young kid with a dog/puppy alone. Being sure is better than being very sorry. Such carelessness can be a tragedy not only for the kid but also for the dog.