Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?


Are you considering buying a dog for your child or children?

Before you do, take a moment to evaluate your family and determine if your children are ready for a dog. Here are some questions you might use to help you decide if buying a dog is right for your family.

Babies and Toddlers

Is this your first dog? Do you have older children as well? Why are you getting a dog now?

These three questions will help you to consider whether you have the knowledge concerning the time and effort required to care for a dog. Dogs are a big responsibility and if you have not been solely responsible for a dog previously you may find the work and time involved in training, feeding, grooming and playing to be more than you can handle while caring for a young baby or toddler.

Your young children may benefit from having a dog from a young age. They will certainly develop very strong attachments to the family pet. But young children are not very trustworthy to be left alone around a dog and they are not aware enough to desire a pet. Not only will they do just as well without a dog, but the extra caution needed while young children are present may cause you more stress and frustration than waiting until they are older.

If you are deciding to get a dog because you feel it is a normal part of family life and you want to 'complete' the package while your child is young, do not rush into purchasing a dog right away. For the various reasons above, a dog should be considered a major decision and waiting one year or more may be best for your situation.

If the dog is to be a companion to a mom who will now be home alone with her child for long periods of time, maybe an older dog will provide the needed company while avoiding the extra work of training a puppy.

Preschoolers and Young Children

If your family is established and you are not expecting to add a baby into the mix, you still need to consider a few things before getting a dog.

Are you aware of the time required? Can you afford a dog? Will your children be safe?

The work of training (especially house training) and caring for a puppy can easily take several hours of your day. Depending on your method of obedience and house training you should consider if you have the energy to deal with a puppy consistently and with urgency while implementing house rules at this crucial stage.

Young children and preschoolers may find it exciting to help you feed, wash and walk the dog. However, children this young are still likely to startle or maul a puppy which may lead to accidental injuries - harming both the puppy and the child.

The cost of owning a dog must also be considered. Vet fees, adoption or purchase costs, licensing, food and grooming should be accounted for before going to pick the dog out. Doing your homework now will avoid unpleasant disappointment in the future.

If you feel that your life is free enough of distractions that you will look forward to the temporary unsettling of bringing a puppy home, you may well find this a wonderful, curious age that will be delighted with a puppy. You will need diligence in watching both the puppy and children until training has been established. You will also need to give your children reminders about how they must treat the puppy to prevent accidents.

Older Children and Teens

Some families choose to wait until children are older before bringing a dog home. In many cases they feel this will be an aid in teaching their children responsibility. But what questions should parents of older children ask before getting a dog?

Who is responsible for the dog? How long will the dog be with you?

In all cases the parents must ultimately accept the responsibility of caring for the dog, both financially and physically. Although your pre-teen may insist on his or her desire to take full responsibility for walking, feeding and playing with the dog, you as a parent must be willing to take this on if your child fails to keep to his or her word.

It is a big responsibility to take on a pet like a dog. They are far more demanding on your attention than cats or other pets. They are social animals and you will be doing great harm if you leave your dog tied up outside for days at a time, ignored and unhappy.

If you still choose to get a dog as a family pet you should consider the future care of the dog. A dog generally has a life span of 10 - 15 years, depending on the breed. If you are getting a dog as a companion for an older child or a teenager who will ultimately care for the dog during the years to come when your child leaves home, goes to college or gets married?

While all of these questions should assist you in determining if your family should get a dog right now, it is also wise to find out more about the kind of dog that would best suit your family. All the work you do beforehand will help you make a choice that everyone will be able to enjoy!

Shannon Emmanuel is a freelancer writer and the author of "How to Select the Best Dog or Puppy for Your Children". Find out more about choosing a family dog at http://best-dog-breed-for-children.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets - Google News

Canine changes; Pet owners fear licensing costs will rise after takeover - Record-Searchlight


Canine changes; Pet owners fear licensing costs will rise after takeover
Record-Searchlight
Pet licensing in Shasta County will be privatized by next year. Curtis Martin runs Wednesday with his dog Jemma on Market Street. A change in the Shasta County Animal shelter's licensing program prompted by Haven Humane Society's eventual takeover ...

and more »

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets - Patch.com


GoLocalProv

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets
Patch.com
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and veterinarians and advocates have answers and aid for unsure pet owners. By Therra C. Gwyn Millions of kittens (and puppies) end up homeless on the streets and in shelters because of the problem of pet ...
Sex and the Kitty: Discounted pet spay/neuters during FebruaryExaminer.com
NEW: Channel 10 Leads “Help These Faces” Unwanted Pet CampaignGoLocalProv
Pets of the WeekSt. Augustine Record
Mail Tribune -Today's THV -Enterprise-Record
all 10 news articles »

Pet limit and rooster ban on Coast - Fraser Coast Chronicle


Pet limit and rooster ban on Coast
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Sunset clauses have been built into new laws governing keeping pets and poultry on the Fraser Coast to protect existing pet owners. Under the new Local Laws residents can keep two cats and two dogs. If they wish to keep more cats or dogs they will have ...

and more »

Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from China - Plain Dealer


Plain Dealer

Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from China
Plain Dealer
Sherrod Brown WASHINGTON, DC - Candace Thaxton of Westlake believes that tainted chicken jerky pet treats from China killed her 10-year-old pug, Chansey, last year and sickened the five-month-old puppy her family got to replace it.
Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 4 news articles »

Baby on the way? Make time to prepare your pet - Chronicle-Telegram


Baby on the way? Make time to prepare your pet
Chronicle-Telegram
Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything for a pet — from how its home looks, smells and sounds to what the rules are. Low energy, friendly, social dogs are the most adaptable pets, while independent, ...

and more »

Pets and Cancer -- Pet loss, the death of a pet - Stamford Times


Pets and Cancer -- Pet loss, the death of a pet
Stamford Times
By Gerald Post, DVM, DACVIM The death of a pet can be devastating. Pets are more than just pets nowadays; they are family members, friends, and trusted companions. When they die, we experience grief and it is a very natural emotion.

and more »

Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment - Huffington Post


Care2.com

Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
Huffington Post
Global warming may exist, but winter is still upon us, and our pets can feel the chill. A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
Most American Pets are Too FatCare2.com
Confused.com guides pet owners through the minefield of pet insuranceWebWire (press release)

all 14 news articles »

MiniChip(TM) in February for Pet Dental Health Month - MarketWatch (press release)


MiniChip(TM) in February for Pet Dental Health Month
MarketWatch (press release)
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, Feb 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Pethealth Inc. /quotes/zigman/39120 CA:PTZ +1.85% - With veterinary clinics and animal welfare practitioners across the country promoting Pet Dental Health month this February, Pethealth Inc.

and more »

Pet Dental Care - NTV


MyFox Washington DC

Pet Dental Care
NTV
February is National Pet Dental Care Month. At what age in our pet's life should we start to be concerned about dental care? As soon as possible while your pet is still young. Know what its teeth and mouth look like, get it accustomed to having its ...
5 Best Ways to Keep Your Pet's Teeth HealthyPaw Nation
A Bite as Healthy as Their BarkWall Street Journal

all 55 news articles »

Pet Travel Announces Partnership with Datamars - Houston Chronicle


Pet Travel Announces Partnership with Datamars
Houston Chronicle
Pet Travel has offered microchips and scanners to traveling pet owners for over 5 years. Through a recent partnership with Datamars, a global leader in pet identification, these devices will be available to vets, breeders, shelters and other businesses ...

and more »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker