Chidren and Puppies - A First Look at Love and Commitment

I remember my first kitten when I was 5 years old. My first puppy at 12. Sure I had my mothers Poodle that I had grown up with. She was purchased when I was 1 year old. I loved her more than I knew until she died, but she wasn't my dog, she was my mothers dog. My animals who were chosen and presented to me when I was a child were magical. They were my very own and something that I was responsible for. Even if I was so young that I had to be taught responsibility for them, I knew that they were MINE. They were special to me and unlike any adult experience, they were my entire world.

I was lucky enough as a child that my parents explained to me that my animals needed to be loved and nurtured. They could not be cast aside like my toys, long forgotten. My animals had to be fed and cared for because they could not do it for themselves. I had to think about their needs above my own. These responsibilities would follow me for the rest of my life. My bonds created with and by my parents would form my later desire to make animals my life.

Today I come in contact with many parents. Most of them are well meaning and by the very fact that they seek out training for their animals, they are already above the rest. What dismays me at times is the cavalier response that if the new puppy doesn't work out they will give it away. I always wonder what thought they have given to THE LIVES THEY ARE EFFECTING? What do the children think? They have been given a living creature as their own to love and protect. They become attached to it. Just as I was with my puppy and kitten. They then have it yanked away because it is inconvenient. What must THEY think? What if THEY become inconvenient? You might say "this is different" but do THEY see it that way? Do THEY worry at night that if you could give away the puppy that you were so excited about, that THEY may be next? What are you teaching THEM about commitment to another living creature?

Animals, and in particular dogs, can teach a child more about responsibility than just about any other circumstance in their lives. Dogs do not talk back, or put guilt trips on their charges. They give unconditional love, a rare commodity in an all too often cruel world. Animals sit silently listening when their young owners pour out their secret problems. Animals never make judgements or reject the love of a child in need of comfort.

A child who cares for an animal is much more likely to learn the meaning of compassion. When taken to the level of training or competition the animal can provide confidence and pride in a job well done. For teenagers the dog or horse can provide an example of what it means to take on the responsibility of parenting and put off the desire to have children at a young age due to the fact that the teenager knows all too well what it means to be responsible for another.

Learning the value of consistent discipline and praise in training cannot be under estimated in a child. A child can learn through training that abuse is very different than discipline that is provided with love, and that reward and praise is something that is very important to a living creature when a goal is achieved.

The lesson here for a parent should be that the dismissal of a dog or other pet animal as a chore not worth having, may mean a huge step back in your childs' psychology. It could in fact lead to low self esteem, lack of compassion for others, or the lack of desire to succeed. If you think this is over stated you should ask a child.

For more information I would suggest that you read: Dog Training 101-The Book You Need To Take Control. You can find it on: www.K-9Companions.com

Karen Duet is co-owner of K-9 Companions Dog Trainng and K-9 Security & Detection Int'l LLC. She is the author of 4 internationally recognized books on dog training: Dog Training 101, Advanced Schutzhund (nominated for a Maxwell Award), The Business Security K-9, and The Home & Family Protection Dog. She can be reached through her web site at: http://www.K-9Companions.com

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