5 Lessons Dogs Teach Kids

Dogs are truly amazing beings. They keep us company, keep us active, look out for us, and above all, they show us unconditional love. It’s no wonder why a lot of kids ask their parents for a new puppy! Maybe getting a puppy is something that parents ought to consider because of the valuable life lessons they teach kids.

Dogs Teach Kids Trust

Trust is one of the most important concepts any kid should learn about and develop with others.

Most kids learn and develop trust from interacting with their dog. This is because your dog will always be there for your child in their time of need. For example, if your kid is sad, frustrated, annoyed, or angry, your dog is there to help. Oftentimes, this might be your child petting and talking to your dog about why they are feeling that way. The more this happens, the more your child will learn to trust not only their family pet, but also other members of the family.

Similarly, studies have shown that dogs can recognize bad people. Most dogs act funny or are uneasy when they sense a suspicious person. Therefore, your dog can let your kid know if someone is up to no good, and potentially lead them out of danger. The more time your child spends with their furry friend, the more trust they will have with their dog and others.

Dogs Teach Kids Patience

We all know how hard it can be for kids to be patient at times. Luckily, dogs are a great way to help teach this valuable skill. Dogs teach kids to be patient through dog training. For instance, teaching your dog to sit, shake their paw, rollover, etc. is no easy task. It takes a lot of repetition and time. Including your child in this will teach them how to be patient, especially when trying to learn a new skill.

Dogs Teach Kids Rewards

Similarly, including your child in your puppy’s training process will teach your kid about rewards. When you and your child are trying to teach your furry friend new tricks, you will need to reward your pup for successfully completing a new command. Through this, your child will see that rewards only come when doing as they are told or learning new skills. At the same time, your child will learn that learning a new ability takes time, and failing at first is normal. This is a huge life skill that is important for your child to learn because there is a lot of trial and error in life. Of course, you definitely need to look up how to train your puppy to learn the best practices first.

In conjunction with having your child teach your dog new tricks, you can also ask your kid to fill up your puppy’s food and water bow, and take your furry friend on a walk. This way your child will learn how rewards work, and how much of a responsibility owning a dog is.

Dogs Teach Kids About Money

As silly as it sounds, dogs can teach children valuable lessons about money. A 2021 report estimates that owning a dog can cost between $1,500 – $9,900. Clearly, this is a lot of money! However, it’s also a learning opportunity. Whenever your dog needs more dog food, toys, etc. take your child to the store and show them how to compare the prices of the different products available.

If your kid is older and already knows the basics about budgeting, then feel free to inform them on more sophisticated information. For example, teaching your kid about pet insurance would allow them to learn about how dog insurance works, but also how to best protect your furry family member. Dog insurance is great for older dogs or any dog that tends to be more active. It covers certain illnesses and injuries that could occur to your dog, while protecting you from expensive vet bills. Teach your kid about finances by looking into how dog insurance works so they can practice great money skills in the future. Of course, you’ll be doing your furry friend a huge favor too.

Dogs Teach Kids To Stay Active

New technology means that kids are becoming less active. However, owning a dog can really help teach your kid that being active is a good thing. Your child can take their furry friend on required walks, go swimming with them, play at the dog park together, and do other outdoor dog friendly activities together. Going outdoors will become a much anticipated experience for your child, rather than a mandatory break from video games. Afterall, kids that grow up with a dog tend to be much more active than kids that don’t have a dog.

Having a family dog is great for the whole family, but especially for kids. They will bring endless laughter, loyalty, and love to your household. With all of the prominent life lessons they teach our kids, you might want to consider looking into a family dog.