As I write this, our two dogs are peacefully snoozing under the kitchen table. They are by no means puppies any longer, but I can’t help but remember them as little wobbly balls of cuteness, arriving to make our lives infinitely more fun.
Our girls were 5 and 7 when we decided the time was ripe to finally become dog owners again. We knew we weren’t having any more kids, we felt comfortable as parents, and were ready for the adventure. The fact that we were both raised with dogs and have owned Labradores before made the decision quite easy.
If you find yourself contemplating a doggy addition to the family, here’s our guide on the subject – hopefully it helps you decide to open up your home (and your heart) to a four-legged companion.
The Kids are an Appropriate Age
One of the things to consider is the age of your child. Small children and babies shouldn’t ever be left unsupervised around dogs, regardless of how harmless the breed may be.
Some suggest waiting until the child is at least 4 years old before getting a dog. The younger the kids are, the more difficult it is for them to realize some of the boundaries that should be in place when having a pet.
They Have Shown Genuine Love for Animals
Pay attention to the way your kids act when they are with dogs. Although more often than not, kids have an instinctive affection towards animals, some kids get scared, or have trouble realizing a dog is not a toy and should be treated with respect.
Like humans, they shouldn’t be bothered when they are sleeping, playing with their favorite toy, or eating. They should always be approached with love. If your child is ready to understand that, the time is right for getting a dog.
The Kids are Dedicated
If your child follows through on their assignments and completes their chores in time, they probably realize the concept of responsibility and you won’t have a lot of trouble explaining that a dog is a long-term commitment.
If your child shows dedication and persistence in their activities, like sports or some other interests, they will probably see that owning a dog is not something they can drop once they are bored.
Having a dog is a wonderful, rewarding thing, but it is still a responsibility. Make sure this is understood.
They are Responsible
If your kids already know they have to brush their teeth, wash their hands before eating, and you don’t have to tell them twice to collect the toys after playing with them, chances are they are ready.
Having a dog will help them grasp the idea of taking care of someone else and by having a sweet task like feeding or walking the dog, they will learn to be more caring and nurturing.
Give it a Try
Maybe the best way to test if you are ready for a dog is to try babysitting for a friend’s dog for a few days.
Without committing yourself for the long term, you can get a glimpse into living life with a dog, the good and the bad, and then you can make an educated decision.
People tend to focus on the good sides of having a pet and ignore some of the tedious tasks you still have to do. Pets require attention, there is a lot of cleaning up after them, at least until they are trained, and some days you just don’t have the time for a walk. It would be great if you had a chance to do a test run before making the final decision.
The Whole Family Agrees
Let’s say your kids are responsible, and fully committed to the idea. What about you? Your attitude is very important, as after all, there will be another being to take care of, and you have to be fully on board as well.
Even if it is the kid’s pet, you will need to pick up the slack at a certain point, and you have to be willing to do so.
The Dog Fits Your Lifestyle
There are a few things to consider here. Are you able to fit a dog into the lifestyle you want to have, both organizationally and financially? Do you live in an apartment or a house, or do you have a backyard? How much free time do you have? Do you have to travel a lot?
These are some of the things to consider when deciding whether to get a dog, or which breed would be most suited for your family.
Are There Any Health or Safety Concerns?
The main concern to have would be allergies. Some allergies develop later in life, and sometimes they simply don’t manifest themselves until a certain trigger is introduced, especially if your child doesn’t spend a lot of time around animals. Sometimes the symptoms are not so easy to spot right away, so make sure you run the necessary tests before you get a dog.
Having a dog means having a companion, a friend, and it will, without a doubt, help your child mature emotionally and become more caring towards others.
Bringing another member into the family is a big decision, and it should be made by the whole family, so make sure everyone is on board. Your dog will demand some adjustments, he might bark at the wrong time, hide your running shoes, or knock over a lamp or two, but he will provide countless moments of joy and unconditional love too.