Why You Should Get Your Kids A Dog
Is a puppy on your child’s wish list? Have you ever considered how many benefits owning a dog can provide to your kids as well? It’s true!
A dog may be a good idea if you can take care of one. Sure, they cost a lot of money, cause a lot of mess, and have to be walked on a schedule. But the health benefits far outweigh the cost of dog ownership for kids.
If you own a dog, you probably already know that they provide us with a great deal of benefits: loyalty, companionship, exercise, and they are our best friends.
Families of Children already know that they can teach children responsibility and impact social and emotional development in a positive and interesting way.
Scientists have been proving for years what dog lovers instinctively know: that caring for and bonding with a dog makes a child’s life and social interaction better.
There is research that having a dog not only improves kids’ physical health but also improves their human-Animal interaction, wellbeing and development as well.
In a world in which children suffer from increasing levels of inactivity, that’s a major bonus.
The benefits of a family pet
Owning a dog has many benefits.
Children learn valuable life lessons from pets, such as responsibility, trust, compassion, respect and patience.
It’s fun having a cuddle buddy during nap time and playing high energy games with the kids.
Ownership of a dog teaches responsibility, which is a valuable life skill.
Animals need food, water, and love in order to survive. Exercise is essential to many animals.
Dogs also need grooming (brushing develops large muscles in the arm) and bathroom time (walking the dog develops large muscles in your child’s legs and is good for their heart, brain, and lungs).
A Dog for an Only Child
Only children who receive a dog felt less lonely and view the dog as a sibling.
As with any sibling, children learn how to share their parents’ time and their own space, to respect another living thing, to be kind, and to show love.
Getting a Dog Could Help Your Toddler Learn Social Skills
No one forgets their first dog: the childhood games, the companionship, and the undying loyalty between a kid and their pet.
Australian researchers have found that bonding with a family dog can provide much more than lifelong fond memories for even very young children.
In a recent study published in Pediatric Research, researchers found that even for pre-school-age children, having a dog at home can improve social and emotional skills and reduce problematic behaviors, including trouble interacting with their peers.
Don't forget some tips for introducing your dog to the new baby.
Having a Dog Improves kids Self-Esteem
Children may benefit from dogs with their self-esteem, autonomy, empathy, trust, and confidence. A dog can be a source of unconditional love and loyalty for many children.
Over the age of five, children can have developmentally appropriate responsibilities regarding the dog.
Children under four should be monitored around dogs at all times, and we should not expect children under 10 to care for a dog or cat completely on their own.
Kids Need a Dog to Learn “trust”
Trust is another skill children learn. Dogs provide unconditional support for children (or anyone) when they are upset, angry, or sad.
They can help your child build trust in themselves, their dog, and other relationships as well.
Compassion can be learned from owning a Dog
When a child takes care of a dog, they learn to be kind to others through taking care of their furry friend’s basic needs.
Benefits for Children include Learning Respect
Teach young children to respect others by requiring gentle touching and boundaries while pets are eating and sleeping, which is a difficult skill to gain at such a young age.
Self - Respect
When pets show unconditional love to a child, their self-esteem is boosted. Young children gain self-esteem when they are responsible.
Loyalty
Pets are very loyal and a great example of how to treat others that are important to the child and family.
The Bond between Children and Dogs is Learning Patience
Learning how to bond with a pet, as well as teaching it tricks and good behavior, sometimes takes time.
Social Development Skills
Dog-owning families are a natural way for children to “break the ice.” On outings, they encourage conversations with others and will improve their social skills.
Skills in Children include learning Motivation
Children who own dogs develop internal motivation while caring for their animals, decreasing the risk of allergies and improving their grades at school.
Benefits to Children include learning Empathy Skills
Growing up with a dog leads to children with more empathy towards animals and more empathy.
Dogs teach Children about Responsibility
Your children are learning the important skill of taking care of another living creature when they help walk, bathe, and feed the dog.
Dogs Keep Kids Healthy
Nowadays, most kids prefer to sit at home playing video games; if your family has a dog, however, it gives your children a great excuse to get outside and be active.
Physical activity such as walking, hiking, camping and simply throwing a ball is great exercise for both your child and dog.
Dogs Teach Responsibility
Tired of constantly walking, grooming, and feeding your dog? Don’t worry, your kids will do it for you.
Children learn about responsibility and the difficulty, but necessity, of caring for another living being from dogs.
Taking initiative in classrooms, remaining grounded, and understanding that other living things rely on them will help children become more responsible.
Dogs Build Up The Immune System
Children who live with dogs get sick less often throughout their lives.
Studies show that babies who are brought into a home with a dog are less likely to contract respiratory illnesses.
A child’s system builds defenses against the kinds of “germs” and bacteria brought in by dogs, which they use as they grow to fight off other illnesses and potential dangers.
Dogs Offer Protection
There is a lower probability of a break-in or robbery when you have a dog at home.
Besides being excellent for guarding against robbers, dogs are always alert, ready to bark or defend their family, especially if there are children in the house.
Dogs deter robbers from striking, as they know they can warn the owner, attack the owner, or significantly reduce their chances of getting away with goods.
Dogs Keep Spirits High
Today, the number of children diagnosed with depression is alarming. Research has shown, however, that owning a dog can decrease your child’s risk of developing this disease.
Dog ownership reduces tension and improves one’s mood. It’s hard to not smile and feel in a better mood when you walk through the door as soon as you see your dog, since dogs are always happy to see their family.
Dogs Keep Kids Active
Are you concerned about the health of your children? Consider getting a dog. The benefits of walking your dog will be passed on to your child by taking walks with them.
Kids also enjoy playing fetch with dogs, so they get an additional dose of exercise without even realizing it? As a result, it helps their bodies lose excess weight or helps ensure they remain healthy throughout their lives.
Dogs Teach Children Unconditional Love
Having a dog will teach children unconditional love. In addition, children who have pets will learn this lesson much quicker than children without dogs.
Children who understand this powerful concept can apply it to other people and children they come into contact with daily, and even later in life.
Dogs Teach Selflessness
There’s a possibility that your child was a bit selfish before having a dog. They quickly learn that it’s not “all about them” once a dog arrives.
Besides teaching responsibility, dogs help kids realize others need to be taken care of since they can’t care for themselves.
A Dog At Home Builds Confidence
To raise a confident child, give them a dog.
Researchers have shown that dog owners with an attachment to their pet have a stronger attachment to their environment and community, making them more comfortable with their surroundings and ultimately who they are.
If you notice your child needs to break out of their shell, a playful dog may help.
Dogs Help With Speech Development
Children with developmental delays, such as late speech, may benefit from having a dog.
Kids will want to try giving their dog simple commands and calling their name. Not to mention that they will laugh with joy as they play together.
Think of a dog as a way to “open the floodgates.” Once they begin to attempt or master basic phrases, they will gain more confidence and understanding of the spoken word.
Dogs Help Improve Social Skills
Not every kid is outgoing. However, studies show that children who are around a dog are more social.
Making friends, keeping friends, and becoming more extroverted can be achieved through this activity.
Dogs Are Smart For Your Heart
Dog ownership may lower the risk of heart disease in your family, according to the American Heart Association.
As a family, you will walk your dog together, so you will all get more exercise. You’ll develop a strong bond with your pet, which reduces stress (more exercise + less stress = a healthier heart).
Dogs Listen!
When you feel your child needs a companion, mainly for social and health reasons, certain types of dogs are ideal.
Listen to the dogs! Your child can turn to them when they feel frustrated, sad, or going through a difficult time in their life.
The simple act of verbalizing your feelings to a dog will help take stress off your mind and will allow you to lay everything out on the table without fear of backlash.
Dogs Are Just Like Kids
Dogs and kids share many similarities, according to studies. Scientists believe a dog’s brain is nearly identical to that of a child.
Dogs keep your child entertained at home, and they can become instant friends. You will teach your children how to handle them because they are just like children.
Dogs Improve Fast Thinking
A fascinating psychological effect of dogs on humans is their ability to develop the ability to think on your feet. Most children do not possess this skill unless they have practiced it and have an overall need for it.
Kids who care for pets have to decide daily, and sometimes instantaneously! Those skills will be useful in school and situations with friends (or even in sports).
Immune system benefits from dogs
According to one study, kids raised in dog-owning homes are less susceptible to colds and respiratory infections.
Bereavement
A child will learn about the grieving process when a pet dies.
Dog Benefit Children on the Autism Spectrum
A recent study found that an autistic child with autism spectrum disorders were inclined to be calmer when playing with dogs. Parents of Children consider these therapy dogs for kids with autism.
Final Thoughts on Having Kids and A Dog
Do you think your child needs a dog?
Research has proven that adding a pet to your family offers many benefits.
Although dogs shed, bark, drool, and sometimes stink, providing a home for them can be among the most rewarding and special things you do for yourself, your children, and your health.
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