Should families with children have pet dogs?
Greyson Gusikowski
2025-07-30 05:23:19
Count answers
: 12
Dogs and children communicate differently. Children tend to treat pet dogs as their peers; they hug them, try to cuddle them, pick them up and scold them. Children – especially toddlers – are still quite clumsy and can inadvertently stand on feet, tug ears, hair or tail, fall on top of or otherwise hurt a dog. From a dog’s point of view, children communicate very differently from adults; they cry, yell, shriek, crawl and run about unpredictably. It's not surprising that dogs find it hard to understand children and even harder to tell them when they want to be left alone. For these reasons, young children are far more likely to be bitten than any other population group. Dogs and children can be great friends and help children develop kindness and a sense of responsibility. Just remember our six golden rules for keeping your children safe and your dogs happy. Stay with your children around dogs – never leave your child alone in the same room as your dog, even your own. Be gentle – teach your child to be kind and polite to dogs. Give your dog space if they need it – supervise your child when they're with your dog. If your dog looks unhappy, let them go somewhere they feel safe and happy.
Jailyn King
2025-07-20 23:48:13
Count answers
: 17
For all children, dogs can provide valuable companionship, encourage exercise and family activities, and teach them about responsibilities. The research revealed that the child-dog relationship has a number of beneficial aspects for the dog, including a sense of routine, more time for fun and play, and companionship. Children provide close companionship for pets as well as imposing a sense of predictable and consistent routine in the home, in terms of feed and walk times, which we know is extremely important for a dog’s wellbeing. Children also play regularly with their pet dogs and activities such as throwing a ball and doing assault courses represent really valuable opportunities for exercise and positive mental stimulation. The study also highlighted some potentially negative impacts on the pet, which it is important for parents to be aware of when bringing a dog into a home with children. As such, providing they are aware of key risk events and how to cope with these, and ensuring adequate supervision, parents should not necessarily be dissuaded from acquiring a pet dog because of their child’s developmental issues. Pet dogs can really enrich family life and support child development and wellbeing. There is now extensive scientific research showing the many benefits that pet dogs bring to families, including improved family functioning and wellbeing for those with children with neuro-developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD.
Elinore Glover
2025-07-13 20:31:19
Count answers
: 14
The Stabyhoun is known to be great with children. If you are an active family with a schedule that means you won’t leave your dog alone for more than 4 hours each day, the Stabyhoun might be the breed for you. Babies who live with dogs get sick less. Kids with dogs have less allergies and asthma. Kids with dogs get more exercise. Dogs help reduce stress in kids with Autism. Family pets lead to sibling bonding. Kids who are allergic to dogs and live with them are less likely to have eczema. Dogs can help kids learn important social skills. Kids grow up alongside a loving companion. Kids who care for pets learn responsibility.
Read also
- Do dogs have to be on a lead in a public park?
- Can you report a dog that keeps escaping?
- What to do when a dog snaps at a child?
- Is there dog park etiquette?
- What to do if a dog attacks you while walking?
- Are dogs safe around children?
- How to keep children safe around pets?
- What is classed as an out of control dog?
- What should I do if my dog nipped my child?