Preparing Your Children for a Pet Dog

Many of us want our children to learn responsibility. One of the best ways that they can do this is by owning a dog. Not only will they learn responsibility but they will also learn how to be unselfish and caring.

As a parent, we need to prepare our children before getting a dog. One of the best ways is to discuss with our children the similarities between human needs and a dog needs. Our children also need to understand that we are adopting this dog into our family. This dog needs to stay in the family for as long as it is able. Our children need to realize that dogs can live anywhere between 10-17 years.

We need to help our children to understand that just as humans need food and water to live, so do dogs. Our children need to understand that just as humans need nutritious food to keep healthy, so do dogs. They also need to understand that dogs need clean drinking water everyday. We can help them to understand this when we make them realize that they drink water everyday.

The next way to prepare our children for having a dog is to help them to understand that dogs have emotional needs. We can help our children understand this by explaining to them about various emotions. We can discuss the need to feel loved, the need to be touched, and the need to feel safe. Children can understand what it is to need these things. We can give our children examples so that they can understand how a dog feels. They should be made aware that dogs feel fear just like humans do. Therefore, we should encourage our children not to play rough with a dog. They should be encouraged to give the dog hugs and love.

A third way to prepare our children for having a dog is to explain to them that proper exercise is a must to stay healthy. We can explain to our children that just as they must exercise to stay healthy and fit, so must a dog. We can discuss ways to help the dog to get the proper exercise. At this time, we can also discuss the importance of safety when exercising. We can teach our children how to walk the dog properly. We do not want the dog being yanked and pulled on.

The last way to prepare our children for having a dog is to explain to them about medical care. Children need to understand that dogs need shots just like humans do. They also need to understand that dogs get bacteria and germs just like humans do. Occasionally, the dog will need medication. Children need to be alert as to when their dog does not feel well. This would also be a great time to discuss with our children the importance of being a responsible dog owner. As a parent, I should explain to them that our dog needs to be spayed or neutered. We can discuss why this is very important. We can explain to them that there are so many dogs without homes because the owner did not get them spayed or neutered.

Dogs are a great way to teach our children how to take on responsibilities. It is best though if we prepare them ahead of time to make sure that they are willing to take on the task. We also need to make sure that they are able to take on the task. Careful consideration is recommended on this end because it is not wise to get a dog and then after a few weeks turn it into a shelter. This only teaches our children that it is alright to give up and not take responsibility for what we have started.