As a parent, the last thing that you might want to do is add yet another responsibility to your plate. Therefore, if your kid has been asking for a puppy, your instinct might be to say no. It’s true that adding a dog to the family isn’t a decision that you should take lightly, but having a dog in the house can be beneficial for your child. Here’s why.
1. A Dog Will Help Your Child Learn Empathy
Children who have dogs learn to nurture and feel empathy for their four-legged family members. By getting a dog for your child, you can encourage him or her to learn how to care for and love something.
2. Your Child Will Learn About Responsibility
Taking care of a dog is a big responsibility, but it’s not one that you have to take on by yourself. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Even small children can help with pouring dog food in a bowl, for example. Older children can help with bathing, grooming and cleaning up behind the dog. This helps make having a dog in the house less of a chore for you, and it helps your child learn responsibility at the same time.
3. A Dog Can Be a Great Friend for a Child
If your child has a hard time making friends, he or she can rely on the dog to give unconditional love and companionship. Even children who have siblings or who have lots of friends can benefit from having a new, furry friend.
4. It’ll Help Encourage Your Child to Be Active
A lot of kids nowadays spend way too much time sitting on the couch with their devices. Encouraging your child to be active can be tough in today’s world, but a dog will help. If you get a dog for your child, you can encourage your son or daughter to spend time walking and playing with the dog. This isn’t just good for the dog, but it’ll be good for your child, too.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why getting a dog can be a great idea when you have a child. Just make sure that you do your research so that you’ll be prepared for your household’s newest family member.