– by Gillian Crowley –
Have the kids started to ask: “When can we get a puppy (or kitty)?” Before making a trip to a breeder or rescue organization, ask yourself these questions to help separate emotion from reality.
1. Time available? Do you have the time to train and exercise a puppy? Basic commands have to be reinforced through frequent repetition and it probably won’t be the kids who do it. Depending on the breed, vets recommend a dog get 30 minutes to 2 hours exercise a day. Also, if you’re at work and the kids at school, how much time will the dog have to spend alone? A lonely dog will bark endlessly or find ways – usually destructive – to distract themselves. Doggy daycare is one option costing $20-$30 per day for socializing and training.
2. Enough money? Aside from the initial purchase price, there’s annual vaccinations, cost of nutritional dog food and money for life’s surprises, like raccoon encounters. If you get a puppy, consider buying pet insurance to offset later unexpected vet bills.
3. Best age for kids to get a dog? Ideally your youngest should be old enough to understand the dog is not just another stuffed toy. It will be up to you to teach and model the rules about interacting with the dog to make sure the pet is never put in a position where it must defend itself. On the positive side, kids can learn sensitivity to others through playing and cuddling with their best friend.
4. How old a dog? Back to point 1, time available. The advantage of a puppy is that it will grow up used to active kids and its place in the household. The down side is chewed shoes, toilet training and inevitable “accidents”. You’ll also need to protect a vulnerable pup from too much stimulation and rough play. Adopting a rescue dog a few years old is an alternative. It’s a good idea to foster the dog first to make sure it’s a good fit for your family. (Our rescue Cocker Spaniel is great with adults, but very nervous around young children.)
5. What’s the best kind of dog for your family? Multiple websites are devoted to this question. Consider the breed’s temperament and size, allergies, the size of your home and amount of exercise you can provide. The “doodles,” a cross between a non-shedding poodle and another breed, are popular with allergy sufferers. Small dogs seem logical for a smaller home but many breeds can be high strung. Calm, larger dogs (Labrador and Golden retrievers come to mind) are usually better suited to a busy household and seem to delight in children. No matter the dog’s size or temperament, it should have a place of refuge for some down time.
6. Is your home always clean and tidy? If the answer’s yes, choose a cat instead!
If you still feel a dog is right for your family, go for it. You’ll enjoy unconditional love, regular outdoor exercise, daily laughs at its antics and loyal companionship. Under your guidance, your kids will learn responsibility and empathy that will prepare them for other parts of their lives. All this from an irrepressible bundle of fur and affection.
Note: This article is based on research and the writer’s own experience. However, she is not an expert in pet care.
