subject: Teaching Children On How To Become A Responsible Pet Owner [print this page] Teaching Children On How To Become A Responsible Pet Owner
My six-year old son has been grouchy these past few days. He's been begging me to get him a dog for Christmas. This started out one day when my son had a sleepover at his friends' house. Their 4-year old Golden Retriever gave birth to two pups. My son went home full of stories on how cute and lovely their dogs were.
For the past three days, we would drop by the neighborhood pet shop everyday to check out the dogs for sale. I did not promise to buy him one, but this trips to the pet shop makes him extremely happy. I can see the joy in his eyes as he carries a Golden Retriever puppy in his arm. He would then ask the store clerk information about the dog. He would take it with him inside one of the wood dog houses and play with it for a while.
Is it alright to give in to the whims of our children? I've read from an article, if you would want your children to learn responsibility, get them a pet. Would wanting to have a pet reason enough?
If we want to give our children to be a responsible pet owner, we need to teach them and make them understand a few things beforehand.
They should understand that pets are living things, they are not toys.
Just like people, they need to be nurtured and taken care of. They need love, food, exercise and rest. Children might think about playing with them all the time.
Talk to them about their responsibilities once they get a new pet.
Help them understand the importance of the decisions they make. This will also give them self-confidence and self-reliance. Give situations where they can practice their decision-making skills.
Present to them alternatives and possible consequences if they fail to perform their task. But bear in mind that you are talking to a kid although you try to treat him like an adult.
Most of all show them that you are there to support them and help them.
After doing all these, I can now purchase one of the wooden dog houses at the pet store for my son and his new pet.
