"Can we have a dog?" is your child's favorite request right now? Do you feel like giving in? That might be a good idea. If this decision requires some thought, especially on the breed of the dog, its age and the sense of responsibility of the child, it can be very beneficial.
What can a dog do for my child?
If you were looking for arguments to answer "no", you won't find them here! Yes, the dog is clearly the best friend of… the child. Indeed, the dog is an incredible playmate for the little ones.
What does the presence of a furry companion actually do?
A good dose of self-confidence :what a pleasure for a child to see that his darling doggie responds to his orders and obeys him. Giving a paw, sitting down, fetching a toy... So many little moments that allow children to feel in a position of strength and to gain self-confidence.
A faithful and reassuring friendship :the dog can also play the role of the best friend, he is the privileged confidant of the children who tell them about their day, their sorrow, their joy... A dog can be very useful for children who tend to isolate themselves, angry or going through a difficult time (divorce, moving, etc.). Dogs sense when their companion is sad and will spontaneously comfort him by asking for petting.
Discovering a sense of responsibility :if the child participates in care (brushing, dental care, feeding, bathing, etc.), he learns from an early age to take care of a living being, to be gentle, attentive to needs. This experience is therefore ideal for your child to develop a sense of responsibility.
Set the rules before the dog arrives
The arrival of the animal is imminent. Get ready (unless you secretly want to remake the Beethoven movie)! Explain to your child what the dog will be allowed to do or not (go into the bedrooms, climb on the sofa, where can he relieve himself, what is he allowed to play with, or will he sleep Who will be responsible for walking him? This brief briefing is important so that boundaries are set for the dog and for the child.
On what criteria to choose Brutus, Caramel, Médor, etc.? ?
Did you give in to family pressure? All that remains is to choose a dog that suits your lifestyle and your family. For this, there are a few parameters to consider:
The Breed :If you are looking for a dog that is suitable for children, there are a few breeds to choose from. The golden retriever, the labrador, the irish setter, the newfoundland, the poodle, the bernese mountain dog, the bichon frize, the collie, the basset hound, the border collie or the french bulldog, are particularly suitable dog breeds to live with children.
Puppy or adult :if you opt for the puppy, make sure you have enough time to take care of it and ensure its education. While some people prefer puppies because they're cute, that's a job that shouldn't be overlooked. By choosing an adult dog, part of his education will already be assured.
Your lifestyle: you are athletic ? Still traveling? Have a garden? Do you live in an apartment? Do you work very late at night? All these questions will determine what type of dog you should choose so that you do not adopt a dog for its physical appearance, but because its character corresponds to your way of life.
How to introduce the dog to your child?
In order to ensure that the dog will get along with your child, proper introductions are necessary. This will be the perfect opportunity to see how the child reacts to the animal and vice versa. This is also the time to explain to your child what he has the right to do or not with the dog (not to pull the tail, the ears, not to squeeze it too hard, not to get on top of it, do not yell at the dog, etc.).
Remember that the real responsible for the dog is the adult! Even if the child takes care of it, it is up to you to do most of the tasks related to the education and maintenance of the dog. Don't get a dog just to please your child, you have to want it too.
