How to Choose A Dog for Children
One of the most rewarding experiences growing up can be having a dog in your home. Adults often fondly look back on their childhood pets and the experiences they had together. It may seem like the most difficult decision in choosing a dog for your children is where to get the dog. But there is actually a lot more involved than that. Whether your neighbor has told you they have free puppies and all you have to do is come over and choose one or your children have seen an adorable puppy in the pet store and are now begging you to let them bring it home the best decision can only be made with some research and planning. So if you are looking to add a canine to your family here is what you want to know about whom to choose a dog for children.
What do you need to know? Many people feel that since having a dog is such a common thing, do you really need to know anything more than how much it costs? Consider this how did you choose your car, or your home? Did you consider the cost, safety and suitability of each for your family? If you heard stories of a particular car that was susceptible to causing accidents or that a neighborhood was known for its rough occupants you would certainly find something that was safer. In addition if the car or home was too expensive to maintain, it would impact your decision, as would the size of the vehicle or how many bedrooms the house had. Many people bring home a dog that they have spent no more time in choosing than selecting produce at the grocery store. Although we hear stories of dogs attacking children and perhaps know of people who got rid of dogs after they grew too large for the apartment the truth is most families with a dog will never deal with the terrible situations we hear about on the news. Dogs love people and most dogs' love children. But making an informed choice for a pet is always the right decision.
Consider your environment. If you take into account all the factors that involve both your children and your potential dog than you are making a decision that should avert an unexpected tragedy or the sad disappointment of giving your children's pet away.
Choose a dog that is good with children. Many people will ask-Don't all dogs love kids? The resounding answer is no! Some breeds, and even individual dogs within a breed, are more or less tolerant of children and the rough handling that usually ensues. Selecting a breed that enjoys the rambunctious atmosphere of a family home will go a long way in ensuring that the children have a willing playmate and the dog is happy.
Choose a dog that has the right size or energy level. You need to take into account things like: Do you live in an apartment? Do you have a large, fenced yard? Considering the size of home or yard you have will influence your choice of dog. It is important to keep in mind that some smaller breeds (like Jack Russell Terriers) are small but have an enormous amount of energy that can be difficult to control in a small home.
Decide between a puppy or an older dog. You may plan to train the dog yourself so choosing a puppy for the children to participate with can be a good option. You must keep in mind though that you will need information, time and patience to correctly train a puppy. If you are not willing to commit to this you may want to consider selecting an older dog that is already trained.
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