A lot of people and children in particular are influenced by what they see or hear about dogs in the media and then decide that they want to have a dog of their own. In particular watching a film with a dog as a key character can be very compelling!
Unfortunately watching a film you don't really get a sense of what the needs of the dog are and how much time, cost and energy it takes to properly look after one. A great deal of commitment is needed to understand and fulfil the responsibilities of dog ownership.
On the upside, of course a dog can be a wonderful companion for a child and owning a dog can teach them important lessons like responsibility, self-control, caring, compassion and loyalty.
Generally dogs are very loving pets and provide the family with a joint sense of purpose: for example, everyone can have a share in fulfilling the needs of your dog, taking turns to feed it, train it and you can go out for a walk together to exercise the dog as well as taking pleasure in finding different places to visit or new things you can do together with the dog.
For adults having a dog can also help counter the stress of a high-powered job enhance our self-esteem, and alleviate life stresses - so long as the dog is well-trained and balanced.
If you are faced with a child who wants a puppy of their own, apart from reminding them that puppies quickly grow into adults that may not be quite so cute, they need to know that puppies don't arrive understanding how to behave in our home environment; they need training and socialisation which means almost constant attention in the early months. Even once they have had initial training, it is unfair (and potentially unsafe) for dogs to be left on their own for very long otherwise accidents and 'unacceptable' behaviour can be the result.
It is never fair to bring a dog into a home where they would be regularly left on their own for long periods each day while everyone is out at school or work.
Add to this the fact that some people who get a dog find that once the initial excitement has worn off, the dog's routine can become a tedious duty and the other responsibilities and costs are too much to tolerate! Many dogs end up being abandoned and need re-homing, which is not at all fair on the animals.
Sadly too, it can be the case that children all too often promise to help look after a dog and then get distracted with the next fashion fad, leaving their parents to do much or all of the work! So parents need to be sure it is what they want to commit to too.
As a first step, perhaps you might suggest that they experiment with a technology pet like a Nintendog (or a Furby or Tamagotchi) first, so that they can learn more about what is really involved in looking after a living pet?
These technology pets simulate what it is like to look after a pet; children can feed, talk to, pet, groom, train, walk and play games with their virtual dog and so gain an understanding of the demands of owning a real pet.
Then if it seems that your child still really wants to have a pet, it may be better to look at all options so that you consider pets that suit your home and lifestyle...
We are passionate about preventing vicious dog attacks!
We want people to have safer, more relaxed, happier and more balanced relationships with dogs - wherever they come in contact.
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