If the idea of getting a puppy for your kid has crossed your mind a time or two, are you ready to move forward with it?
Note that bringing a puppy into your home means taking on a fair amount of responsibility from day one. As such, it is something you never want to take in a light manner.
From caring for the puppy to being sure your home is conducive to raising a dog, cover all your bases.
So, is now the time?
What Kind of Breed to Get?
Before you consider how you and your family will do with a puppy, it is wise to consider what kind of breed you’d bring home.
So, if you are thinking Labradoodle puppies or any other kind for that matter, take the time to do some research.
Among the things you’d want to know about any breed you are considering:
- What type of dog are you going to be getting? – Knowing their instincts, how they are around kids and more is of course rather important.
- How many years do they tend to live? – You’d also want to know what average life expectancy is for different breeds. Having a breed that tends to live many years will give your kid a chance to bond with his or her dog for a long time.
- How they react around other animals – If you have other animals in your home, how will a puppy react around them? Whether another dog or even a cat, get an idea of what the likely reaction will be when they meet and live together.
- Protection for your kid or kids – Given how important your children are, protection is key. That said will the puppy you bring home go out of their way to protect your children?
While there are other considerations, do your best to learn as much as you can about any puppy you consider.
Two ways to learn about puppies you might call your own would be on the web and through those you know with puppies.
When it comes to the Internet, go online and search for info on different breeds of interest. The more you learn, the better positioned you will be to bring home a puppy.
Your outside family members and friends with puppies in their homes will also be a good source of info.
With that in mind, you’d want talk to them about their personal experiences with their puppies. Check to see how things are going.
Among the things to ask:
- Would they change anything about the breed they ended up going with?
- How did their youngster adjust to having a puppy in the home?
- Does the puppy get along well with their young child or children?
- What responsibilities have they given to their child or children in caring for the puppy?
The unconditional love from your dog from their days as a puppy all the way through their adulthood is key. This is even truer when you have young children at home.
If now might be the time to get your kid a puppy, you could be beginning a loving bond that will last for years.
