Living with a pet can be beneficial to children. Pets can enhance a child’s self-esteem, teach them responsibility, help them to learn empathy, and can be a lot of fun. However, children and dogs are not always going to automatically start off with a wonderful relationship. Parents must be willing to teach both the child and the dog acceptable limits of behavior in order to make their relationship pleasant and safe.
Many experts recommend that a child be at least six years of age before a pet is brought into the family and many rescue organizations and shelters recommend that also. Think about if your child exhibits self control and understands and obeys the word “no.” If you think your child is ready for a pet first introduce her to the well behaved pets of friends or relatives and observe the child’s behavior around them.
If you decide your child is ready it is critical that an adult supervise all pet-child interactions. Explain that even the most docile pet has limits, and that all animals must be treated with caution and respect. Some safety rules are: don’t approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or chewing on a bone etc. These are the most common times when a dog or puppy is likely to snap or bite. Pets need space and quiet time and may not always welcome human attention. Children running and screaming may upset the pet.
The best way to teach your child how to be a responsible caregiver is to be one yourself. Ultimately your children will learn how to treat animals by watching how you treat the family pet. They’ll study how you feed, pet, and exercise your pet and they’ll pay close attention to how you react when a pet scratches the furniture, jumps up, or makes a mess in the house.
Frustrating as these problems can be “getting rid of” the pet isn’t just unfair to the pet and to the children it also sends the wrong message about commitment, trust, and responsibility. Neutering the pet is also part of the responsibility and makes the pet safer and easier to live with.
There are many resources for children and parents—books, articles, DVD’s etc. Check our Resources page.
You may request printouts of various subjects from us. And your local library will have many books of interest to children on animal subjects.
Should problems arise Animal Advocates counselors can answer your questions by phone or email. Please seek advice right away before a situation gets worse.
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