Puppies and children

First, you need to answer a few questions about your child: How old is he or she? Is your child mature enough to handle the responsibilities of a dog? Will they be willing to help feed and water the animal every day? What sort of dog is your child hoping for? What type of personality does your child have? Is she shy and timid, or rowdy and boisterous?

Does your child understand that an animal should never be teased? If you have determined that your child is ready for a dog, decide what type of animal would work well within your family and start gathering information about the breeds that interest you.

Bringing a dog into a family that has children should be done only after a lot of thought and planning. Never leave small children unsupervised with a dog or puppy. Children are rough on animals and even the best children can be abusive by hitting, pulling or teasing it. In turn, the pup, hurt and bewildered, may harm your child. Do not buy a pet for a child until the child is old enough to understand how to care for the animal and be gentle with it. It is not fair to put an animal in a situation and then punish it for defending itself when it is being hurt.

If you feel that your child is not yet ready for a pet, you should be willing to make sure this animal receives proper care.