8 Reasons We Decided to Get a Fur Baby

I am happy to introduce you to the newest member of our family, a fur baby named Milo. Milo is a Havanese puppy. After years of begging, we finally decided to get our girls a dog. What made us decide to finally give in to their requests for a family dog? Beyond Milo simply being the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen, there are other reasons why we made the commitment to welcome four extra paws into our family.

1. Teach Responsibility

One of the main reasons we decided to get a family dog is because we believe our girls are at an age where they can help take care of him. When they were younger, all the responsibility fell on me. And I didn’t know one more thing to take care of. Now that they are older, we are hoping owning a dog will help teach responsibility. They will be responsible for feeding him and picking up his toys.

2. Foster Empathy

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “Multiple studies showed that children who owned pets were more empathetic towards others.” Learning to care for a dog helps foster compassion and empathy for people and animals other than themselves.

3. Find Comfort

Dogs are the ultimate teddy bear. They comfort kids and make kids feel supported. It’s one reason why comfort dogs show up after major disasters or events that are anxiety-inducing. Just being in the presence of a dog can alleviate stress.

4. Boost Self-Esteem

As kids take responsibility, their self-esteem grows. Kids are proud of themselves for being big enough to help. Likewise, as they feel comforted and supported, their self-esteem improves.

5. Built-In Companionship

A dog is essentially a built-in playmate for a kid. Dogs love wholeheartedly, and kids reap the benefits of their unwavering love. Plus, dogs can help kids develop social skills. For example, Momtastic reports, “A University of Missouri study found that children with autism have stronger social skills when a dog lives in the home. ‘Children were more likely to engage in behaviors such as introducing themselves, asking for information, or responding to other people’s questions,’ says Gretchen Carlisle, a research fellow who helped in the study.

6. Get Active

Dogs need exercise, which means your kids get exercise. One of the girls’ responsibilities will be playing with the dog outside. Dogs make fewer messes when they get enough physical activity, so we are making that a priority. Not only will this help kids stay active, but it will also force them to put down their devices and head outside.

7. Stay Safe

Dogs have great ears. They can hear things humans can’t. As a result, they can alert us to danger. With a dog, you get a built-in security system. For this reason, many kids feel safe having a dog in the home.

8. Have Fun

Last but certainly not least, having a dog is fun! Who doesn’t love puppy cuddles or playing fetch? We have only had Milo for a few days and our home is already more fun!

What dog tips do you have for me? We need them! Post them in the comments.