Do not buy a dog as a gift to someone or as a toy for your children

Children often want to have a dog to play with and parents often do not think about that important decision thoroughly enough. A happy beginning but unfortunately often with a sad ending.

This is an example of wrongly motivated decision to have a dog in a family. Animals are not toys, they are living creatures and one must not buy an animal to a young child only because he/she wishes to have a playmate. Furthermore, we do not buy dogs as a gift to someone. Decision to have a dog is an important decision and each person who wants to have a dog should think this over thoroughly and be aware of all obligations that owning a dog brings. And all family members have to agree to bring a dog into the house.

A dog is like a small child

When you are buying a dog be aware that you will bring another living creature in a family, which will need a lot of attention and your time. Dogs are like small children, you have to feed them daily, take them for a walk daily or even more times per day, play with them, clean after them …Having a dog is almost like having a child that never grows up.

Dog is a responsibility of grownups not of children

We cannot expect that a dog will be a responsibility of our children, despite the fact that children were the ones who wanted to have a dog in the first place and they promised to take care of new coming dog. Children are too young to be aware of what dog ownership really means; it is up to the parents to know what having a dog brings. Parents are responsible for dog well being in the family and for daily dog care. Children can only help in small tasks, as in this way they learn how to become a responsible owner.

Result of adopting wrong decisions are many sad stories

Many dogs, which were bought to children by irresponsible parents ended up lonely, neglected, forgotten on a chain or were taken to a shelter when children got tired of playing with them and when parents found out that they actually do not have time for a dog. In these cases a dog became a burden instead of being a joy.

Remember, a dog is not for everyone, because it is not an object which we can place under the bed for a long time when we get tired of it. It is a living being, part of our life for the next 10-14 years and we have to take care of it properly.

Think thoroughly before you decide to have a dog

Parents, be aware that you are not buying a dog for your children but for yourselves and all the responsibility and care for the dog will be on you. Do not buy a dog as a gift to other people, because a dog owner has to devote a lot of time to his dog and the decision to accept all this responsibility has to be his. If you want to buy something for your children, buy they a teddy bear toy instead.

However,

• if you are aware of all the consequences which a new family member will bring,
• if you are prepared to devote at least two hours daily to your dog,
• and if you know that a dog will be your responsibility not responsibility of your children;
• if you are aware that you are buying a living being which will need daily walks, exercise, play, veterinary checkups and help as well as proper care,
• and know that a dog brings certain additional expenses to your budget …

Than go for it and buy a dog, but first, check also our page Becoming a Dog Owner.