Getting A Dog : What Dog Best Suits a Family with Young Children?

Most of individuals have fond memories of growing up with the family dog. Regardless if you owned a pure bred with a sterling pedigree or a plain old mutt with a pure heart, owning a dog is great for kids.

Your child will begin to learn responsibility by taking on tasks to care for the dog, such as training, feeding, or walking. Before you run out and bring home a dog, you should carefully consider if your child is ready for having a four legged pal around the house. If you have extremely young children, you may want to evaluate their behavior around dogs or other animals before your bring one in your own home.

Most families who own dogs while raising young children find themselves in the situation because the dog came first. When you see a young family pushing a baby carriage and walking a pooch, the majority of the time the four legged family member has seniority over the baby. If you find yourself in the situation of caring for both a baby and a child, look at all your available options before you decide to give your dog away.

However, if you must make the decision to give your dog up in order to better care for a baby or if your dog is showing aggressive behavior in regards to the baby, look into giving him to a family that you know so that you will ensure his success in his new life. If you must give your dog to an animal shelter, choose one that does not practice euthanasia. You may want to have the shelter call you if they are unable to place the dog, so you can look at reincorporating him into your new expanded family.

If your child or children have been asking for you to bring home a four legged play mate for them, consider allowing your child to meet and play with the dog of a friend, neighbor, or family member before your rush out and buy a dog. Be sure the child is ready to own a dog and will treat a dog with the necessary respect to avoid any potential confrontations down the road.

If your child shows signs of fear, aggression, or violence towards a dog or in response to any animal, seriously reconsider your plan of bringing Junior home a pooch. Most dogs are serene and would not think of hurting their owners—including any children in the home—but can turn violent when they feel their body is threatened.

The best type of dog for a family with young children is a young dog. Allowing your child to grow up with a dog is an excellent opportunity as puppies are more accustomed to being surrounded by littermates and will most likely consider your child as just another playmate. Whereas older dogs are more set in their ways and more likely to snap at a child who they find annoying or threatening, puppies are used to the rough and tumble play in which most children specialize.

Before you bring home a puppy as a surprise, bring your child along with you on the search. Allowing your child to meet the potential family pooches will include him or her in the process of finding a dog and drive home the importance of responsible dog ownership.

Once a puppy is in your home, consider giving your child a specific responsibility in regards to the dog. You may delegate the task of ensuring the water and food dish is filled with food to your child so that he or she can develop responsibility skills.