How to Adopt a Dog When You Have Children

Children love dogs, and many dogs reciprocate the feeling. Generally, it’s a great idea to get a dog when you have kids, because it teaches them a lot about caring for someone else. They can be involved in feeding and walking the dog, and of course, they can enjoy snuggling up with the new puppy. But should you adopt a new dog when you have kids? And when you do, how can you make sure the dog becomes a loved member of the family?

Do You Have the Time?
New babies require a lot of your time, and even younger children demand your attention. How much time do you really have to devote to a new pet? There isn’t really a set number of hours you should have to spare to take care of a dog. You just need to think about what it takes to care for one.

For example, you need to spend a few minutes in the morning and evening to feed the dog and provide them with fresh water. More importantly, you need to have time to take the dog for a walk, play with them, and pet them. During the week when you’re busy with work and other obligations, you may only take them around the block, so they can do their business. It’s important to make sure that you have enough time to encourage physical activity.

Some dogs require more of that than others, but without the opportunity to run around, dogs have a tendency to get into things they shouldn’t (much like children). The good thing is that taking the dog for a walk is also a great way to get your kids to go outdoors and get some energy out, whether they’re little and sitting in the stroller or riding their bike next to you when they get older.

Pick the Right Dog
It’s vital to pick out the right type of dog when you have children. Obviously, the dog should like children and not mind being around them. It’s best if they’ve been around young children before. Additionally, you want a dog who meets certain characteristics, such as the following:

• The dog should calm down easily and not get overly excited or hyped up by squeaky toys or high-pitched noises.
• The dog should be able to control impulses when it’s excited by food, toys, other dogs, etc.
• The dog should seek attention from people and want to work with you.

A hyperactive dog who gets nervous around new things could be a problem with young children, because they may knock over a child in their excitement or fear. A dog who jumps when they’re excited is also not helpful, especially if the dog is much bigger than your child. On the other hand, if your child is already used to big or eager dogs, then it may not be such a concern, and you can take the time to teach the dog better habits.

Teach Your Kids
It’s important to train your new dog to do what you want and stop doing things you don’t want. At the same time, you also need to teach your child how to behave around the dog. For example, pulling tails is never appropriate, and the older your child is, the quicker they will learn that. That shouldn’t stop you from teaching your baby to be gentle with the dog, either, but it may take more time for them to understand it and remember it.

You should also teach your kids how dogs communicate. For example, when their tail is wagging, they’re in a happy mood, excited to be petted. If they have their tail between their legs, then they’re scared. A scared dog may lash out to defend itself from a real or perceived danger, and this could be dangerous for your child. Fortunately, in time, your child will get to know your dog and read their signals quite well on their own.

Create a Safe Zone
Young children can be taught not to pull the dog’s tail, but you should still supervise pets and children when they’re together. This is true for a new dog that your family is still getting to know, but it’s always necessary if your children are still young. It can be helpful to create a safe zone where the dog can retreat when they’ve had enough of your children’s attention. Similarly, you might want to create an area where your kids can play alone without the dog bothering them.