There comes a time in a kid’s life when the prospect of having a dog is the most exciting thing ever – more exciting than riding a bike for the first time or being trapped inside a candy store or actually seeing Santa Claus climb down the chimney on Christmas eve. It is the prospect of having a dog that motivates kids to make all kinds of promises to convince Mommy and Daddy that they are ready to have a canine best friend. Promises of “I will give it a bath every weekend” and “I’ll feed it 3 times a day” and “I promise to eat my veggies” are much too common. Those promises are such sweet tunes to a parent’s ear, but those promises are not enough. When planning to adopt a dog, everyone in the family has to be onboard, especially to undertake responsibilities. Experts believe that having a dog at home reinforces positive behavior among children and instills a sense of responsibility. These are among the reasons why parents choose dogs for a pet and also because they’re affectionate, companionable and sensitive. In a 2013-2014 National Pet Owners survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, it was revealed that dogs are number one most common choice for family pets. However, you cannot blindly leap into owning a dog, especially when there are kids around. Proper preparation is necessary, and here are some tips on how to prepare your children for owning a dog:

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1. Consider your children’s allergy.

The most important point to consider when choosing a breed of dog is your children’s allergy to dog dander. While having an allergy to dog dander doesn’t have to hold you back from owning a dog, you would need to consider hypoallergenic dogs. This sounds like a tough feat but it really is not. There is a long list of hypoallergenic dog breeds suitable for your children such as Afghan Hound, American Hairlenss Terrier, and Bedlington Terrior. For your reference, we have compiled a list of Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers.

The Afghan Hound is a great choice for children with allergy to dog dander. | Via commons.wikimedia.org

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2. Discuss responsibilities with your children.

Adopting a dog is a full-time responsibility and everyone in the family has to do his/her share. Before you make a decision to own a dog, it is important to sit your family down and discuss the share of responsibilities everyone must undertake. Tasks must be delegated accordingly, with the age of your child a huge factor. Assign simple tasks such as cleaning out the dog dish and wiping dog drool to the little ones while the bigger kids can take the task of giving the dog a bath and cleaning out the dog house.

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3. Buy dog toys and treats.

Buy dog toys and treats with your little ones and treat it as the first task you have to collectively do as a family. Instruct your kids to look out for toys with small/loose parts that can pose choking risks for your new dog. This task lets your children know that having a dog is fun but also requires caution and responsibility.

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4. Make sure that your children are comfortable around animals.

Ensuring that your children are comfortable around animals is of paramount importance. Most parents perceive that children will get over their discomfort or fear of animals once a pet is introduced at home, but that is almost never the case. Forcing your children to live with animals may result in more anxiety or worse, freak accidents or maltreatment of the animals. If you are transitioning from a no-pet home, gradually introduce dogs to your children by bringing them to a shelter or a dog park until they become comfortable.

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5. Make sure that your children can be trusted to do personal tasks and household chores.

One of the telltale signs that your children are ready to have a dog is when they can be counted on to do their personal tasks and household chores such as brushing their teeth, taking a shower on time, stashing away their toys and putting their plates in the dishwasher. If your children are easily distracted from their chores, chances are high that the same will be true when it comes to taking of the dog.

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6. Make sure that your home has ample space for your dog.

Dogs are creatures of freedom. Although they may seem content lounging in a dog bassinet, dogs become better dogs when they have ample space to do dog things such as run around, chase their tail, and bury bones. Confining dogs in small spaces can result in anxiety, and this is not a good thing when dogs and little kids live together.

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7. Schedule a general cleaning day before you bring home your new dog.

Dogs, especially puppies, can easily slide themselves in tiny nooks and crannies that are hard for you to reach. Before you bring home a new dog, schedule a general cleaning day to make sure that every part of the house is spic and span and is rid of tiny things that can harm your new pet.

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8. Research for an accessible, licensed veterinarian.

Your veterinarian is going to be your ally in dog care. He/she is going to be responsible for administering your dog’s vaccines, prescribing vitamins and medicines as necessary, and overall making sure that your dog is in the pink of health. Ideally, your veterinarian must be able to take visits any time of day for grave emergencies. Similarly, it is best to have a veterinarian that you can consult with over the phone for urgent but non-life-threatening circumstances.

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9. Research for reputable breeders/dog shelters.

Getting a dog from either a breeder or a dog shelter has its upside. With a reputable breeder, you are guaranteed to be getting the breed of your choice. The papers/records of the dog will easily allow you to keep track of its history and make predictions of possible problems that may arise. On the other hand, rescuing a dog from a shelter means that an abandoned, maltreated, or lost dog is able to have another lease at life. Whether getting a dog from a breeder or a shelter, it is important to ask for a full report of the dog’s known history.

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