As adults we must know how to make them understand that a dog is a long-term responsibility and not a whim. In addition, it is convenient to know at what age it is better for a child to live with a dog and why.
passion for animals
When we are little we are amazed by the natural world. The animals that little by little we are discovering are a passion shared by practically all young children. This, known as biophilia , is preserved in some adults, while it is lost in others. For this reason, there are adults who are very biophilic and others who are not, while almost all children, at some point in their development, want a puppy.
The benefits of having a dog in the family
Coexistence in harmony with a dog at home has benefits for the whole family, particularly for the little ones. Let’s list a few:
- Better health and immune system
- Improves attention and learning
- Improves social behavior and empathy
- They reduce fear, anxiety and provide calm
- Increase self-esteem and confidence
The boy for the dog
For dogs, having children at home always means an extra dose of stress . For this reason, we must never neglect the interactions between the two and we must educate the child and respect the dog, taking into account the age of both.
Moments of development of the child and his relationship with the dog
- Up to 6 months: a newborn at home brings smells (diapers, milk, creams…) and noises (babbling, crying) new to the dog. In addition, for everyone at home, the baby becomes the priority, leaving the dog in the background. At this stage it is important to maintain the dog’s routines , integrate him with the new member of the family and never withdraw supervision and support from the relationship.
- 6 months – 2 years: the child’s musculoskeletal system develops rapidly but erratically. The child increases his movements and enters a period of exploration of both inanimate objects that he can throw, and animated ones, including the dog itself. He could pull his ears, his tail, climb on him… The same child who was not a problem for the dog a few months ago, may be now. Supervision must be extreme and care must be taken that the dog does not feel uncomfortable or pressured.
- 2 – 5 years: in this period, children control their movements better. At this stage they can “abuse” the dog by taking his toys and utensils. It is time to explain to them that they must respect the animal, its objects and space, since they begin to develop empathy. At this stage, it is very likely that his little friends will also pass by the house and invade the dog’s space. So it will be necessary to ensure an area where no one bothers the dog, in addition to supervising.
- 5 – 9 years: in this period children need to have greater control of their environment and begin to test their limits and ours. At this age, they could have a somewhat abusive treatment with the dog, seeking to gain his attention or make him angry. It is the age that most unwanted bites by the house dog occur , also due to a lack of supervision by the adult that gives the child more independence. We must avoid neglecting ourselves.
- 9 – 12 years: in this period children begin to worry about how others feel, and the social group begins to be the most important thing for them . It is the stage in which a child can take more responsibility in the daily care of the dog. In contrast, even at this age they can try to force the dog’s limits, for example by making him jump for an unattainable prize or run excessively. In addition, if a dog “challenges” them, even if they understand their language they will not be able to act cognitively and calmly. Most likely they will get upset and run away. This reaction could awaken in the dog, a response contrary to the desired one.
What is the ideal dog for a child?
Knowing the benefits and the stages of development of children in terms of their relationship with dogs, the choice of the ideal companion must be considered individually.
For example, a small breed puppy might not be the best choice for an overly active 3-year-old, which could hurt him.
Unquestionably, the first question will be whether we, as adults, will be able to attend to the needs of both, promote common activities where they accept and love each other with respect, and under no circumstances neglect supervision.
References:
Love, M., & Overall, KL 2001. How anticipating relationships between dogs and children can help prevent disasters. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 219(4), 446-453.
