A dog is a real commitment, but one that can be very much worth it. There are many reasons your family should get a dog. They can also be a source of really great childhood memories that children can look back on when they grow up.
And if you’re still on the fence on whether or not your family should get a dog, don’t worry; we understand. Owning a pet is far from easy, but having one in the house can benefit a family a lot.
While family pets can be a lot of work, with The Goody Pet, you can simplify owning a pet! They offer everything you need to become a better pet owner. Now you have no reason to NOT own a pet!
We’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons your family should get a dog to help you make a decision.
5 Reasons Your Family Should Get a Dog
They Teach Kids Responsibility
One of the best benefits and reasons your family should get a dog is that they can teach kids responsibility. A dog has to be cared for, fed, bathed, and walked regularly. If your children really want a dog, the entire household has to chip in to take care of it.
This responsibility also includes knowing how to give your new family member the best treatment. Dogs go through different stages of development from a baby to a grown-up to a senior. As an example, you need to know about dog period first if you get a baby dog. For grown-up dogs, you need to re-train them according to your lifestyle. To care for a senior dog, you should learn more about the diseases caused by aging. Learning how to potty train an older dog or a full-grown dog might be challenging but also fun. Having a dog definitely teaches kids responsibility.
Tasks can be divided very clearly. Certain family members in charge of feeding while others are in charge of the exercise. You can divide the tasks any way you want, but having a new dog in the house requires a lot of commitment. It could be a great way to teach your kids about discipline, responsibility, and caring for other creatures.
Can Improve A Child’s Social Skills
There are numerous studies out there that have shown that having a dog in childhood improves a child’s social skills. This is because a dog is an animal that likes interacting with humans. Children will learn how to understand their moods and how to interact with them and adjust when needed.
Having a dog also usually means going out to the dog park so your pet can socialize. In turn, this means meeting other dog owners and creating social bonds with them.
They Can Help Keep You Active
As we mentioned earlier, having a dog means committing to keeping them happy and healthy. And since they are active animals, they need a lot of exercise. This is a responsibility you take on as a pet owner.
Owning a dog will mean having to walk it regularly and also playing with it to make sure it stays active. This is a great way for people to get exercise, especially if they’re trying to live an active lifestyle.
They Can Improve Your Mental Health
Mental health is a very serious issue, and people have to make sure to take care of themselves. This can be a challenge for just about everyone but is more of a challenge for younger people.
It has been shown that having a pet like a dog can help reduce anxiety and stress. It also assists in coping mechanisms in dealing with depression. There are even psychiatric service dogs that can help kids with specific mental health conditions and deal with emergency situations. You can learn more about them here.
They Can Reduce Your Chances Of Getting Sick
Studies show that having a dog at an early age can help improve the immune system of infants. With a dog around, an infant’s body will be exposed to more germs. This in turn can boost a child’s immune system.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, a couple of great benefits that come with owning a dog, especially as a family.
If you do decide to get a dog, you have to make sure that it stays healthy, which means feeding it the right foods. And keep in mind that there are a lot of foods that are safe for humans that are potentially harmful to dogs, like garlic. Is garlic bad for dogs? In small quantities no, but it is still better to avoid it.
If you think a dog can benefit your family, then it might just be time for you to find one to adopt!
