Owning a dog can be a great experience for your family. If some of your most fond childhood memories include a family dog, you may be wondering if your children are ready to own a pet. Although most kids are excited about the prospect of having a puppy, few understand the responsibility of pet ownership. Go through the follow list of considerations before you take the plunge into the role of dog owner.
1. The age of your children.
Age is a big factor in determining whether or not your children are ready to own a dog. While it may seem like a good idea to get a dog to raise along with your children, small kids and puppies sometimes don't mix. You should wait until your child is at least old enough to understand how to treat the animal with care. Even the most docile of breeds might snap if their ears and tail are consistently pulled.
2. Pet responsibilities.
You'll also want to make sure that your child gets involved with the pet care in an age appropriate way. Three- to four-year-olds can make sure that the puppy is fed and has clean water, with gentle reminders from mom and dad. Starting at age five, your children can start walking the dog and learning basic animal safety rules, such as not leaving things out for the dog to chew on. If your children are between the ages of seven to ten, they can be in charge of feeding all by themselves. Older children can attend dog obedience classes with the family pet and can take care of scooping up pet waste.
3. Your time commitments.
No matter what age your children are, the sole weight of responsibility for a puppy will remain with the parents. If you want to get your children a puppy, be aware that you're going to need to spend a lot of time taking care of the animal, especially at the beginning. Read up on puppy care even if you've already raised a puppy. There are a lot of things involved in puppy care that you can forget over time. It's different than owning a grown dog.
4. Cost considerations
There are a lot of supplies that you'll need to take care of your puppy so make sure you have the financial resources to get them. In addition to food, your puppy will likely need a crate or kennel, a stainless steel food bowl (puppies can chew up plastic ones), ear cleaning solution, a brush, nail clippers and chew toys. On top of these costs, puppies need more veterinarian care in their first year than they do later on. You'll need to pay for shots and neutering or spaying. If you purchase your puppy from a breeder, there will also be costs to getting the dog in the first place.
If you've decided a puppy is right for you, congratulations! Raising a puppy can sometimes be a challenge, but it won't be long before the dog will be a cherished part of the family.
