
If you’ve finally given in and agreed to get a dog or cat for your household, you’re probably hoping your child will pitch in and help when needed. Kids of all ages can become involved in caring for family pets, and doing so will teach them responsibility, empathy, nurturing behavior, and the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. Here are some helpful tips for teaching your child to properly care for your family pets.
Let Your Child Take the Reins in Training & Games
Training your pet and playing with your pet are two of the most important functions of responsible pet ownership. Children over the age of eight typically have the intelligence and ability to handle some pet training responsibilities. Show your child how to use positive reinforcement with your pet to encourage them to respond to commands like sit, stay, shake, and speak. Kids of all ages can play games with pets, as long as you teach them how to be respectful of the pet’s space and mood and play gently. Play with toys, at the park, in the yard, or in your home.
Teach Your Child to Treat Your Pet Responsibly
If your pet is food motivated and you use treats as a reward, make sure your child knows not to go overboard. Let them know that treats are used as encouragement for proper behavior or following commands, and that you shouldn’t give pets too many in a day. You can encourage your child to find other ways to reward and motivate your pet, like praise, social interaction, a special toy, or petting.
Encourage Interaction Through Exercise
Another important element of responsible pet ownership is exercise. Your child should play a role in your pet’s exercise time. If your child is old enough to hold a leash and your dog isn’t strong enough to pull them over, let your child take the leash on your next walk.
If you’re bringing a new pet into your home, the first thing you should do is schedule a visit to the veterinarian. Bring your child along so they can start learning about being a responsible pet owner right away!