Last Updated on June 1, 2020 by Marie Bautista
There will come a time when your child comes to you and says…
“Mommy, can we please get a dog?”
You will then be faced with one of two options.
The first will be to say “no.” If you don’t have the time to look after a dog properly, despite your child’s insistence that they will do all the dirty jobs needed, then you are probably right to not welcome a dog into your home just yet. There are plenty of other pets that don’t need a lot of looking after, such as a hamster or a goldfish.
On the other hand, you might say “yes.” Provided you get your home ready by following these pet-proofing ideas; there are some excellent reasons why bringing a dog into your family environment isn’t such a bad idea. Take the following for example.
#1: A dog will teach your child responsibility
Yes, you will have to help your kids look after the dog, but provided you set down some rules, your children should also get into the habits of taking on some of the pet care duties themselves. By feeding, walking, and playing with pooch, your children will learn how to take care of something other than themselves. In theory, this responsibility will extend to those other people in their lives, such as their friends at school and even yourself as the parent.
#2: A dog will provide loyal companionship
Particularly if you only have one child, a dog can be the next best thing to a sibling. Your child will always have somebody to spend time with, be that in play or just cuddled up on the sofa watching television. And if your child has a hard time at school, especially when facing up to the cruelty and judgements of other children, a dog will offer that unconditional love and companionship that other children don’t always offer. Of course, you will also benefit from the companionship a dog can bring, especially if you are home alone for a good portion of your day.
#3: A dog will offer protection
Mailmen, neighbourhood cats, and burglars beware! You will have a dog that will loyally guard your house, even if their bark really is worse than their bite. This is added assurance for you, as you want to keep both your home and your children safe from outside threats. While you should still invest in some kind home security system, a dog is still a useful way to deter anybody who may want access to your home, even if it only is the mailman with the morning post (household bills begone).
#4: A dog will keep everybody on their toes
And by this, we are referring to exercise. If you are worried that your children are spending too much time in front of their screens, and not enough time getting any fresh air, then a dog is a wonderful way to get your kids outside and into some kind of exercise. From short and long walks to playful games, your children’s exercise needs will be catered for. Of course, you shouldn’t let them have all the fun. You may need an excuse to exercise as well, and you will also get the opportunity to bond with your children when you join them on walks and playful fun outside.
#5: A dog has other health benefits
According to studies, there are plenty of other health benefits to owning a dog. A dog can alleviate the chance of your children developing allergies. They are an excellent way to reduce any chances of obesity and heart problems. Dogs can be a great stress-reliever. And there are benefits to children who have autism. Follow the previous link to find out more, and know that bringing a dog into your home could be one of the best ways to promote good health for every member of your family. Say goodbye to sick days, be that from your children’s school or your workplace!
#6: A dog will boost your child’s self-confidence
For your children, this is especially important. As we have already alluded, life can be tough for kids, and their confidence levels can plummet as a result. This is especially true at school where there are plenty of chances for failure. Your child might lack confidence socially. They might struggle in certain subjects. Other people may pass words of criticism that affect your child emotionally. And this is where a dog comes in. As we said, pooch will offer unconditional love, without any judgement. A dog can help your child break out of his shell on a social level, giving them a reason to play and not remain isolated. And your child will learn new skills as they look after the dog, giving them that sense of achievement that they may not have felt elsewhere. And the same is true for anybody in the family needing that extra boost of self-confidence. Dogs really are wonderful!
#7: A dog can ease family tensions
It’s a common scene among households up and down the country, and around the world. Slammed doors, heated arguments, and lingering tensions. In some ways, a dog may be able to mend any relationships in the home that have become broken. As we said, pooch can create bonding moments between family members (even if they are forced), when going for walks outside. A dog can encourage play, and that will lighten the mood. A dog will remind people that they still have somebody else to care for, even when they don’t feel like it. And a dog has the potential to do something funny that will ease any tension within the household due to the many laughs they can create. Who needs family counselling when you have a dog in the house?!
Closing words
So, considering the reasons listed above, perhaps it is time to welcome a dog into your family home if you haven’t already. In fact, you might be barking mad not to! Let us know what you think, and if there are any benefits we haven’t mentioned, give us a shout for the sake of any of us still sitting on the fence about welcoming a dog into our homes. Thanks for reading.