Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
(Sally Writes)
Children living with pets are generally found to be better off than those who don’t have one, with children in families with pets reported to be more physically active, and have better general health. However, when it comes to establishing a strong bond between your child and a new dog or puppy early on, you may not know where to start. From the importance of slow introductions to involving your child in the puppy training process, here’s how you can set them up for success.
Fostering safe introductions
Bringing home a new pup is an exciting event, but it’s necessary to introduce your child and their new furry friend slowly, and in a safe way — especially if you’ve never had a dog around your child before. While the Humane Society estimates that 51% of dog bite victims are children, poor dog body language understanding likely plays a key factor. In order to prevent an unpleasant interaction, supervising the first few encounters and ensuring your new dog is on a leash or using a harness can help. Additionally, it’s vital to educate your child before bringing the dog home, explaining how they should act around their new pet. This should include key points such as teaching them how to pet/hold a dog or puppy properly, as well as stressing the importance of not spooking or bothering the dog (such as when they’re eating or sleeping), which will go a long way towards making sure they have a successful introduction that will set the stage for developing a strong bond later on.
The benefits of playtime together
As your child gets accustomed to having a new dog in the house, setting time aside for them to play together can help greatly in further strengthening their bond in a positive way. Whether it’s soccer, fetch, Frisbee, or simply running around together in the backyard, there are a number of options that can keep both parties entertained. Not only can physical activities be a fantastic way to get and keep your new pup active and healthy, but they can also present a positive outlet for your child, especially if they’re having a rough time in school. For kids dealing with the pressure of getting good grades or struggling with information overload, coming home to play a game of fetch with their dog can allow them to blow off some steam, focus on something enjoyable, and relieve some stress too.
Introducing a bit of responsibility
Pets are well known for introducing responsibility to children, making it a good idea to introduce some responsibilities whenever you deem it appropriate to do so. Allowing your child to take part in daily rituals like brushing and feeding the dog can not only teach them how to care for their pet, but can allow them to cultivate a positive connection and bond with the dog through caring for them and spending more time together. However, it’s just as important to involve your child in milestone events like pet training, which will allow your child to establish boundaries and prevent your dog from trying to assert dominance over them as they grow older.
Bringing home a new pup is undoubtedly an exciting event, especially if it’s your child’s first pet. When it comes to strengthening the pet-child bond, however, there are a number of ways you can support a positive and healthy relationship between the two, from safe and supervised introductions and designated playtimes, to teaching your child valuable lessons in responsibility.
Sally Writes is a regular contributor to The Puppy Up Blog.
