People say your life changes the day you have your first child. Ours changed long before that. The day we got our dog, Dante, was the day life would never be the same again. In many ways, he prepared us for having kids with his midnight wee breaks (on the carpet!), chasing foxes, eradicating dogsitters one-at-a-time and costly vet bills.
Despite his antics, he is a beloved member of our family. When we immigrated to Australia there was no question whether he would come with us. It didn’t matter the cost; if he couldn’t come, we wouldn’t leave. I know this sounds ridiculous to some but he is one of us. We have a history with him and he adds to our family in so many ways.
Watching our girls grow up with a pet is really special. They treat Dante like a brother and he teaches them so much. This is why dogs are great for kids and a wonderful addition to a family:
Dogs give children an opportunity to nurture and care
When our eldest daughter was a toddler, one of her favourite past-times was pulling hair. As you can imagine, the dog was a prized target. Each time she reached for his fur, we would move her hand from the dog. We explained how it hurts him and that we don’t hurt someone we love. These learning opportunities are just one reason why dogs are great for kids.
Dog kisses make everything better
Sometimes, when the girls are in a grump, the dog will walk up to them and try and lick them in the face. Of course, they will push him away and tell him how gross he is. But they secretly can’t help but smile at his attempts at affection. They all have a special bond and he can lift a mood simply by being him.
They encourage the family outdoors
Our dog recently had a leg operation and has to be contained for 12 weeks. I’ve really missed taking him for walks and realise how much he encourages us all to go outside. Whether it’s throwing his ball in the garden, walking him or taking him out to cafes and parks, he needs a lot of time outside. Which means we all get out too.
Having a dog teaches responsibility
Our girls are a bit young to feed or walk the dog on their own but they love helping out. They watch us take responsibility for his well-being each day and they will be involved when they are old enough. By treating Dante as part of the family, caring for him is just an accepted part of family life. And we all contribute to the running of the household in what way we can.
Kids learn to respect all animals
We recently had to evict a couple of possums from their home in our roof. You have never seen three children so concerned about homeless possums as our girls were. Having a pet since they were born has shown them that animals deserve respect and fair treatment just like humans do. Another reason why dogs are great for kids!
Dogs clean up the food mess so you don’t have to!
You can be sure our dog will be hovering under the dining table at mealtimes. He whips around the floor as if he earns points for catching food before it hits the floor. I really notice how messy my kids are at the table when he’s not around. Not sure why we invested in a Dyson when we had a more effective vacuum already!
They are a faithful companion
Dogs aren’t known as Man’s Best Friend for nothing. They are loyal, lovable and devoted to their “pack”. It doesn’t matter how annoyed we get at Dante for his barking, jumping on guests or chasing possums. He will walk off with his tail between his legs and return five minutes later to snuggle at our feet or take up too much space on the sofa. He teaches us all a thing or two about unconditional love.
All of this said, having a dog as a pet is a BIG responsibility. When you adopt a dog into your home, you are committing to train, feed and walk them. There can be extortionate vet bills and they may need regular grooming, depending on the breed.
There is a lot to consider before you bring a pet into your family. But if you feel you are in a position to give a dog a home (and please consider rehoming from a local rescue centre), you will soon discover why dogs are great for kids!
Do you have a pet? Tell us all the ways you love them in the comments!
