Of course every kid wants a dog! They also might like a few cats, some tropical fish and a snake or reptile in your house. One or two might enjoy the idea of owning a dragon or a dinosaur. Kid’s ideas of what makes a perfect pet can be pretty wild. If you have ever thought about giving in to their demands, you might like to think about how getting a dog can actually benefit children in very real ways.
Dogs encourage responsibility.
Any child wanting a dog is going to say they will do everything they can to make it possible. Many parents take this with a pinch of salt, but it often happens to be true. Owning a dog brings a great sense of responsibility and pride into the life of a child.That is going to help them grow and mature. It takes the focus off them as the small person in the family and also develops skills of empathy and patience.
A child’s patience will be encouraged and even stretched. Early delight at the owning of a dog often comes with their first real understanding of responsibility. Bathing, feeding and cleaning can all be challenging. It can be really healthy for you as a parent to let this happen. Make sure that you take some time to agree on a list of chores and day to day tasks that your children will undertake.
It is often surprising how quickly they rise to the challenge. This allows a child to build up self- esteem and confidence. These are qualities that will serve them well and help them grow into mature young people.
Dogs encourage fitness.
Your dog will need and thrive on exercise.Allowing your child to take responsibility for this means that both dog and child have the perfect excuse for staying fit and healthy. Dogs do need a lot of exercise, and you might feel that it is too much to leave dog walks to your children. If you have a fenced in yard though they could spend plenty of time outside, playing catch or just running around thus giving the dog exercise.
Exercise and fitness have very real physical health benefits for both child and dog. At the same time they will provide mental stimulation. This can be a real boost for a child who might not be outgoing for example. It will allow them to develop trust and even self-confidence.
Obedience classes
Dog training classes are the perfect opportunity for your child to step up to their new role. They will have sense of pride as well as a new understanding of patience! They will develop skills that will help them in their own learning.
The truth is that getting a dog might seem like a bit of a nuisance to a busy adult. That is really a very small part of the picture. It could be that move might just be the start of a child ready to grow into a well-rounded, young person. One with a whole new level of confidence and responsibility, not to mention a loyal best friend.
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