Dogs and Children - Should You Bring a Dog Into the Family?

Almost every child will reach an age when they beg you to get a dog. Perhaps you have been thinking about getting a dog, as well. After all, dogs are a great companion for children. You may envision your child or children out in the yard running around and getting exercise while playing with the family pooch.

Owning a dog can also teach children responsibility. Depending on your child’s age, they can be asked to be in charge of feeding the dog, giving him a bath, etc. A child can receive great self satisfaction, knowing they are in control of caring for a living creature.

However, some thought should be put into what type of breed to get and if having a dog is best for your child or children. Each dog has their own personality, however some traits are inbreed. You will want to do a bit of searching regarding dog behavior to see which breeds generally are great with children. The dog will need to be very tolerant if you have small children.

You should also consider the age of your child. Even a small or medium sized dog can look very big to a little toddler. Before purchasing a dog, you should introduce your child to several different dogs and see how he or she reacts. You must also access the dog’s behavior. You can bring your child to a pet store or perhaps to a dog park. See if your child is comfortable around dogs and you may even find out which dog breed they seem to bond best with.

Young children must be taught how to behave around a dog. They should not yell and scream near a new dog; this can scare the dog and he or she may react with aggression as a form of fear. Dogs must also be left alone when eating. If bothered, they may feel as if the child is attempting to take away their food.

It is a wonderful scene to see a dog and a child taking a nap together or heading out for a walk around the neighborhood. Having a dog can be great for the whole family; just make sure that you choose a dog that fits your family and that your child is old enough to understand how a canine family member should be treated.