Every boy or girl needs a dog as a companion, right? While that may be true and the joy of pet ownership is something every child should experience, you should carefully consider whether adopting a small dog is right for your family.
One thing to think about is the additional demands on your time that a small dog will require. Whether you’re thinking of a Pug, Pomeranian, or Poodle, these little dogs require care and if you’re considering a puppy, it could be like having another baby!
Dogs are a big responsibility, and if you haven’t been solely responsible for a dog before, the work and time involved in training, feeding, grooming, and playing may be more than you can handle while caring. to a baby or young child.
If your children are young, you must be very organized and have the day planned so that the child and the dog are not left alone together. Young children don’t understand that a pet is a fragile living thing: too much rough play and your little dog could hurt himself or have to resort to hurting your child to defend himself.
If you’re deciding to get a dog because you feel it’s a normal part of family life and you want to ‘complete’ the package while your child is young, don’t rush into buying a dog right away. For the various reasons above, a dog should be considered an important decision and waiting a year or more may be best for your situation.
With small children, an older dog may be a better option as you won’t have to deal with housebreaking and training, but keep in mind that a small dog, no matter what age, will still be a bit more fragile than a dog. larger.
That is not to discourage you from getting a pet for your young children, as they will undoubtedly love it and develop a strong bond. It’s a good experience for any child, but you have to factor in the extra work and expense. Don’t forget to consider vet fees, adoption or purchase costs, licenses, food, and grooming. Doing your homework now will prevent unpleasant disappointments in the future.
If you have tons of time and energy and your life is free enough of distractions, bringing a small dog into your home can be a fun time. Just make sure you’re diligent
in observing both the puppy and the children until training has been established and be sure to remind the children how to treat the dog gently and carefully so that accidents do not occur.
Once you consider all the aspects and make the decision to adopt a small dog, you can rest assured that you will be able to relax and experience all the wonders of owning a dog with your children.
