They don’t say a dog is a man’s best friend for no reason. Dogs are known for their loyalty and staying by their owner’s side till death does them part. On many occasions, dogs were witnessed to mourn over their beloved caretakers, and every dog owner is very familiar with the unconditional love dogs are capable of.
However, most families tend to make excuses for not wanting dogs as pets because they are too great of a responsibility. We will try to convince you in the next few chapters how these obstacles can be avoided, alongside with pointing out all the benefits that a family dog can bring to your home.
Dogs teach children responsibility
“Mommy, mommy, I want a dog” is a phrase that can be heard from every child at least once during their childhood. Parents often roll their eyes and refuse to even consider this option. Although some kids go through this phase without having their wishes come true, some are just stubborn enough to make their parents reconsider their wish. If you are currently going through this phase as a parent, then you should know that getting your kid a dog can be a significant responsibility booster. Younger kids can help you with feeding the dog and informing you when the dog’s water or food bowl is empty. They will be excited every time you give them even the slightest responsibility. As for older kids, they can take care of walking the dog, training it, playing with it, buying it food, and also making sure that you don’t have to think about the dog at all. Even if this responsible behavior doesn’t appear at the beginning, there’s no need to worry. The more they fall in love with the family pet, the more responsible they will feel for its wellbeing. In the meantime, you can get all of your needed dog supplies online and save yourself some time.
Dogs bring the family together
If you’ve ever found yourself in a family fight (and you most probably have), knowing that dogs help release tension might come as a helpful piece of information. Many families who fight often are advised to get a family dog, and it’s not all in vain, because results show that dogs really make people come around. Of course, there is a chance of some new disagreements to arise (such as who is going to walk the dog), but the benefits for a healthy family climate are far greater than the potential risks.
It has been shown that pet owners show more empathy and kindness than non-pet owners, which is probably a result of having to take care of a pet that thrives on love. Also, pet owners are known to have a better way of understanding nonverbal communication, which makes it easier to communicate emotions. Dogs are also great companions for lonely kids because they boost their confidence, which makes it easier for them to make new friends.
Dogs have therapeutic qualities
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been developing since the beginning of the ‘60s, and the first idea came from Boris Levinson who was a child psychiatrist. He noticed during his therapy sessions with an anxious, nonverbal child that the presence of his own dog Jingles during therapy helped the child relax and start communicating. He tried bringing his dog to other sessions, and saw improvements in other cases as well, which led to the development of a new therapeutic branch. Dogs are one of the most commonly used animals in such therapies, and the results show improvements in many fields. Endorphins are being released while petting animals, which makes all the pain and worrying go away. Cortisol levels are lowering, which also makes the stress disappear. Oxytocin levels are rising in both humans and dogs, and this chemical reaction results in a special bond conceived with unconditional love.
So, dogs can improve physical as well as mental health. Having to walk the dog a couple of times every day will also make you take a walk yourself. Dogs can also be great workout companions, because they will help you stay energized and motivated. If we haven’t convinced you yet, then just ask some dog owners to tell you their reasons why they keep dogs as pets. They will surely help you let your guard down and invite a furry little friend into your home and heart.
