| Caring for Your Dog: General » Dogs & Kids |
| Have your kids been begging you for a new puppy or dog? It is hard to deny your wish to make the family happy with a wagging, energetic new member. But, before you make the decision to take on the responsibility of dog ownership you need to determine whether or not your kids are up to the task. Caring for a dog is not always easy. There are walks to be taken, bowls to be filled, poop to be cleaned up. Veterinary visits, vaccinations, illnesses: these are all things that need to be taken into consideration before embarking on a 10-15 year journey. Yes, a well-cared for dog can live up to fifteen years or more, depending on its breed and health. Teaching your children your expectations about their responsibilities in caring for your new dog will make for a more harmonious transition into pet ownership. It is too much to expect kids to take on all the responsibilities associated with caring for a dog. Depending on their age, he or she may not have the skills necessary to accomplish certain tasks. It is important to realize that most of the dog?s care will lie on your shoulders. However, with adult guidance even very young children can do some of the dog-related chores. A child as young as three can fill the dog?s dish with food or water. If spills are not an issue, let your three-year-old have a go at this task! He or she will feel proud to be entrusted with this important job. Be sure to teach your youngster to leave the dog alone while it is eating. Some dogs may be food aggressive and a small child will be its first target. Have the child fill the bowls while you keep your dog at a safe distance. Preschoolers can help pick up the dog?s toys. Give your dog his or her own toy box. Four and five-year-olds can pick up Fido?s toys along with their own at the end of the day. You can also use this opportunity to teach colors, shapes, and counting. Have your child collect only the red toys first, for example. Six to nine-year-olds can begin to take on more difficult tasks, such as walking the dog. This is a great chance for the whole family to unwind at the end of the day. Spending time with their parents is important to kids. Allow your school aged children to control the dog while you discuss the day?s events. Be sure that good dog manners are being enforced. Teach your child how to make the dog walk quietly without tugging at the leash. This may be the one chore the children fight over! As your child approaches his teen years, it may become more difficult to create enthusiasm for dog care. However, at this age your teenagers are able, and should be encouraged, to take on more adult responsibilities. Cleaning up after the dog, bathing him or her, helping with medications, and grooming are all chores that teens can do. Remember not to make your young adults do all the dirty work, though. They will come to resent the dog and you. To make bathing the dog fun, allow your teen to be creative. Perhaps he or she would like to hold a neighborhood dog wash. They will earn a little money and you will have a clean dog. Be sure to pay the going rate! Dog ownership is great fun for the whole family. Including the kids in all aspects of their new dog?s care will help to make them more responsible in all areas of their lives. |
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