There is something about an open fire and a dog lying in front of it! Dogs are generally known as man's best friend, and they certainly can be a child's too!
Dogs are a wonderful pet for a child encouraging exercise and giving companionship. Dogs of any size can add to a sense of security in the home, as they will usually bark to warn you of a visitors approach.
"My Great Dane has a wonderfully loud bark - trouble is he'll hide behind me as soon as I open the door as he is scared of strangers!"
Dogs are high maintenance pets. They need to be fed and regularly exercised. Muddy footprints will come into your home unless you scrupulously wipe their feet after they come in from the garden. Unlike cats they do not bury their mess, and you will need to clean it up (not a pleasant task!).
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and you can get a breed which will match your lifestyle - some dogs do not moult, for example, which can be important if you are allergic to animal hair.
So is a dog a good pet for a child? Until your child is at the age when s/he can understand road safety, and you can allow them out on their own without worrying it is unlikely that they will be able to give a dog the exercise it needs. This will mean that you will need to take it for walks! And this usually means twice a day. Every day. Whatever the weather! Even small dogs can be strong when they suddenly spy a cat the other side of the road, so you will need to be confident that your child can handle the dog properly to avoid both being pulled into the path of a car!
Pets4kids
Info4You
Dogs
Quick links to info about dogs....
Dogs - the good and the bad
Commitment to owning a dog
Dog or Puppy?
Pedigree or Not?
Quiz - are you ready for a dog?
Dogs - the good and the bad
Commitment to owning a dog
Dog or Puppy?
Pedigree or Not?
Quiz - are you ready for a dog?
Dogs are not toys. With young children it is difficult for them to understand the difference, and whilst some dogs may tolerate being pulled about, put into dolls prams etc, others won't, and may retaliate in the only way they know how - with their teeth! Sadly, when a dog bites a child it's the dog that gets blamed, but all too often the child was the aggravator.
Great care should be taken to watch when dogs and young children are together - don't leave them unsupervised, and make sure the dog has somewhere to go that it can call it's own and be left undisturbed. Teaching your child that the dog's bed belongs to him and when he's there he needs some time to himself is a great start.
Great care should be taken to watch when dogs and young children are together - don't leave them unsupervised, and make sure the dog has somewhere to go that it can call it's own and be left undisturbed. Teaching your child that the dog's bed belongs to him and when he's there he needs some time to himself is a great start.
Treated well a dog can become your child's best friend, and they can be inseparable. They can teach a child responsibility. Children can be involved in the care of a dog - in it's feeding and exercise, and can learn a lot from having one in the family. Accompanying parents on vet visits, observing flea and worm treatments can start many discussions and lessons.
When all's said and done, nothing rewards a pet owner in quite the same way as a dog. The care, love and attention you or your child give it will be returned in spades - and that's an excellent lessons for a child to learn.
When all's said and done, nothing rewards a pet owner in quite the same way as a dog. The care, love and attention you or your child give it will be returned in spades - and that's an excellent lessons for a child to learn.
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