Not since the invention of the birthday party has anything meant more to a child than a puppy. But puppies need looking after and children need a clear understanding of their part of the deal. "Didn't anyone walk the dog today," shouts Mom as she maneuvers into the kitchen with two armloads of groceries, looking down at the soiled floor. Had the dog been wlaked after school, according to a schedule, by a younger member of the family, Mom's homecoming would have been happier. Sharing the dog and the chores is a better idea. Hlaf a dog is better than none.
Children and young dogs are in a constant state of learning, which is evident by the activity of play. Both want to establish and reinforce their positions in society. Kids grow up trying to understand their environment while dogs instinctively accept it. Dogs accept the conditions they find; humans struggle to create conditions suitable to their own needs. Although they can be pals, it is necessary for kids to become responsible for their dog's well being. The questions is one of degree.
Some parents will not bring home a dog or puppy unless they make an unworkable bargain that the child assumes full responsibility for the totally dependent animal. Other parents are fearful of the child assuming any of the dog chores for fear of harming the animal and/or the child. There are some aspects of dog care that should always be handled by an adult. However, many activities connected with dog's health and happiness can and should be the sole province of the younger members of the household.
When a dog is over a year old he is fed once a day and most kids can handle that. Grooming is another pleasant activity that children love to get involved with and there's no reason why they can't handle that by themselves. Simple medical chores, such as giving medicine, changing dressings, and checking for fleas are not very difficult and develop a sense of pet owner responsibility.
Of course obedience training requires an adult's sure hand, if only in a supervisory capacity. All manner of dog disasters - such as dog fights, dog bites, dog damage or lost dogs - must also be fielded by an adult who has better judgment and mobility.
And then there are those activities shared by all members of the family. A trip to the veterinarian's office can be accomplished by kids and adults. Bathing the dog can be a shared experience or one that older children can handle on their own.
Infants and Toddlers
Every child, from infant to teenager, can do something for the family dog. Simply introducing your dog to your new baby helps ease the dog's anxieties about the change in the (pack) family structure. Toddlers can help empty grocery bags with the dog's food or hand you things connected with the dog. This gives them a needed feeling of competency and accomplishment, the very goals of nursery schools.
Pre-School Children
Five-year-olds are perfectly capable of assisting you prepare the dog's meals and cleaning up afterwards. This helps develop greater patience and ties into their desire to contribute to the household.
School Age Children
From six to ten years old, the children are beginning to adjust to the academic demands of school while becoming aware of themselves in a social setting. During this period, children must be allowed to accept only those dog responsibilities they choose, if any. Daily brushing is one of the best dog activities for children of this age range. It is a loving, intimate chore that promotes emotional growth. An eight-, nine-, or ten-year-old is mature enough and strong enough to walk the average dog alone and should be given that responsibility if he's willing to accept it.
Kids grow up trying
to understand their
environment while
dogs instinctively
accept it.
Eleven to Sixteen
Both pre-adolescence and adolescence can be times of great emotional storms having to do with wanting independence and fearing it. A dog's love and devotion can be a great comfort to irritable, moody, suspicious children tring to cope with the transition from child to adult. Being totally responsible for the needs and desires of a dog offers great rewards to children of this age range. There are very few responsibilities of dog ownership that cannot be handled by children of this age. From training to feeding, to medical needs, they can do most of it. With luck and parental skill a troubled adolescent might just find in a dog the middle ground between turmoil and family love. Probably, the key to all this is allowing the youngster the freedom of choice. Do not impose a dog on a teenager. However, it is difficult to imagine a dog not being able to break through the emotional barriers of adoliscence with the lick of an ear or a slurp across the face.
Any questions that we can help you with, please feel free to contact us anytime.
Back to Branford's Table of Contents
Copyright © 1997-99 Branford Miniature Schnauzers
Presented to you
by:
- Full Service Web Page Design &
Consulting Group -
