5 Life Lessons Kids Learn From Puppies

June 24, 2021

Affectionate, kind, and playful, puppies are a bundle of joy the moment you meet them. They create a number of wonderful memories with you and your loved ones. Once you’ve bonded with your puppy, they’ll become a huge part of your family life. In fact, according to Petpedia, at least “95.5% of dog owners consider their pet to be a member of the family.”

Now, companionship isn’t the only gift that puppies give to us when we bring them into our lives. They also offer a lifetime of lessons that can help your children as they grow up. Here are 5 life lessons that kids learn from their furry friends!

1. Responsibility

Learning about responsibility is a crucial lesson for all kids to learn as they grow. From delegating house chores to making small personal decisions, children learn numerous essential life skills from handling different responsibilities. Fortunately, puppies are great teachers of responsibility—starting from day one! Puppies need to be trained, fed, bathed, groomed and exercised on a regular basis. Of course, you should avoid giving your kids too many responsibilities with raising the puppy, especially if they’re young. Instead, slowly introduce your kids to different tasks like bathing the puppy or teaching them how to train them. If your children are very young, don’t provide them with puppy-rearing tasks. Instead, make sure your child establishes a bond with the puppy through play. With time, your kids will know what they need to do when their puppy needs care. 

2. Unconditional love

Puppies always express their unconditional love for us. Although they can’t speak to us, they always sense our feelings, especially negative ones. When we feel sad or angry, our puppies may comfort us with kisses and snuggles. As such, puppies can be a good example of how children should show empathy to others, even when the other person is sad or mad. Make sure to tell your kids about these wonderful traits so that they know what good behavior looks like. Like your puppy, your children may grow up to become empathetic people who are always there for you as well!

3. Respect

Having a puppy can help your children learn a thing or two about respect. For instance, you can teach your kids not to disturb their puppy while it’s sleeping. You can also teach your children how to play with your four-legged buddy so that neither gets hurt. Many puppies are vocal when a boundary has been crossed. They may bark or nip if a child does something that bothers them. These types of boundaries can teach children what behavior their puppy likes and dislikes, which allows them to modify how they treat their furry friend. By learning what falls under respect, your children and puppy will build a long-lasting relationship that’s strengthened with trust.

4. Trust

Speaking of trust, puppies are also great at showing kids how to build trust! Because puppies don’t hide behind words, children quickly learn how to respect their fur-baby and build a healthy level of trust. Remember, trust is something that’s always earned. It’s difficult to achieve trust with others, but when boundaries and respect are set in place, it’s rarely impossible. Once your kids have their puppy’s trust and loyalty, they will always have a wonderful friend that’ll always be there for them.

5. Health

Puppies deserve proper care that puts their wellbeing and health first, including exercise and a well-balanced diet. Nutrition is an essential part of your puppy’s growth as well so you need to be paying attention to what you’re feeding your furry friend. They also need regular vet visits for annual checkups and vaccinations. Make sure to let your kids participate in the puppy’s health and care. Teach them why going to the vet or how a nutritious meal also benefits their furry friend. Bring them to the vet’s office with you so that they see how crucial it is for puppies to be vaccinated. Of course, with your help, your children will develop healthy habits that promote their well-being. 

There are many lessons children can learn from having a fur-baby at home. Apart from empathy and trust, children also receive hands-on experience of handling another creature. This can help them develop cooperative social skills. Regardless of your reasons for getting a puppy, your children will learn so much from playing and interacting with them. Just make sure that the puppy you bring home is good for families. They should also never be left alone with children since accidents can happen. Most of all, remember that your puppy is always counting on you for its happiness. No matter what, your puppy will love you and your loved ones more than themselves!