Pets Help Children Learn Fairness


Kids are very concerned about what's FAIR. Especially when it comes to siblings. It's hard for parents to convince kids that we need new shoes when our shoes wear out or become too small, not when our brother or sister's shoes wear out. But there are issues that require the same responses from everyone. The house rules apply to everyone. Manners are the same for everyone. Even pets are required to respond to certain manners in the house. Understanding that the rules for pets are different from the rules for them, contributes to understanding that being "fair" is sometimes different for each individual, be it a brother, sister or dog. 

Pets Need Manners Too - Dog Training Is The Key

As children watch us train our pets to have "manners": Not to jump, to sit and wait, to follow on a leash - basic obedience - they learn that good behavior is expected from everyone in the family. Pets need to learn manners just like they do - and when pets behave well the whole family is happy. Bad behavior is the #1 reason pets are taken to shelters. As parent's we may not know how to teach pets good manners, so it's up to us to take a class in dog training, buy a video series to teach us on our own timetable, or hire a dog trainer to teach both the dog and the family how to have good manners.  Picture of dog trainer from AnimalBehaviorCollege.com 

Kids Learn About Their Own Medical Care from Taking Pets to the Vet

Show me a kid who loves going to the doctor! Kids learn very quickly that going to the doctor usually results in a shot. If they also see Rover the dog or Fluffy the cat going to the Vet and getting shots so they won't get sick, it helps them understand what preventative care is. It may also give them courage to be strong and get their shot without anything more than an "ouch" - like Rover does. And, Fluffy's doctor doesn't give her a lollipop - or a cat treat - when she goes to the Vet for a shot. Maybe going to the doctor isn't so bad after all.

Pets Comfort Kids

Pets comfort kids who are sad or lonely. They have the uncanny ability to know when children need comfort or companionship. Whether it's stress or an emotional upheaval in the family, a child can depend on a pet to listen to their troubles and "be there" during a stressful time.  
Picture from nymag.com

Pets Can Give Kids Confidence and Courage

When kids are afraid of something, like being home alone for 10 minutes while you run to the Quick Mart on the corner, a pet can do more than keep them company, it can give them confidence that they will be alright or give them courage to feel safe. If children need to be "latchkey" kids for a little while after school, a pet can help them adjust to a new situation. Maybe a child is afraid to walk to the park alone. Taking the dog for a walk to the park may give him or her the courage to go and see who's there and what they're doing.  Picture by smartbark.com

Kids Share Affection With Their Pet

Although we don't mean it, sometimes parents are not open to affection when our children need it. We're busy. We're on the phone. We're all dressed up to go someplace and don't want our make-up smeared or dirty fingers on our clothing. We have to get dinner ready on time or we'll all be late for the soccer game. If we don't write this check now our payment will be late. Pets are always ready for a hug or a cuddle and they love to be stroked.  

Dogs Protect Our Children


When dogs are members of the family, they instinctively protect the family members. Even if they aren't official "guard" dogs and aren't trained as protectors, they will alert the family to intruders or strangers day or night! They hear better than we do. They see better than we do. They can smell danger - and they bark!

This picture from UtterlyCute.com is priceless - a patient, loving dog protecting a child.