Having a dog can be beneficial for both kids and adults. Everyone just melts at the sight of a cute puppy. If you get a puppy, you may want to know how to get a puppy to bond with a child. Remember that these things can take time, depending on the puppy and your child. It takes time and patience to cultivate a bond.
Puppies can encourage your child to develop his or her social skills and get some physical activity. It is a good idea to always supervise. You don’t want to leave puppies alone with young children, no matter how much you trust these animals.
It can truly benefit kids and adults to have a puppy around. Owning a puppy can teach children empathy, develop their social skills, and improve their fitness, so you may want to look for Weimaraner puppies for sale to see these benefits in your child. The puppy will become your child’s best friend. Studies have shown that kids with puppies or dogs cope better with certain illnesses and show better emotional well-being. Take your time, and your kids and puppy will be thick as thieves in no time!
Let’s look at how you can develop a tight bond between your child and puppy. Here are a few tips on how to get a puppy to befriend a child.
Prepare & Research
Before getting a puppy, look at your situation and your needs first. Do some research into what breeds are better with kids. It is all about finding the right fit, which makes things easier in the long run. You should also research their habits and dietary habits. For example, many puppies gain health benefits from eating natural raw dog food, which you can consider in their diets.
While you want your child to bond with your puppy, much of the work will come down to you. However, do not worry too much as they are both young and will generally be playful and soon develop a natural bond.
Caring
When it comes to caring for your new puppy, whether that be one of these cavalier king charles puppies, an alsatian, or a goldendoodle, make sure to get your child involved in the process as much as possible. Doing this from day one gives your child and puppy the best start right from the get-go.
Do not leave your child out of anything. That means when it comes to feeding, brushing the hair, training and other tasks, this will encourage a positive bond between your puppy and child. The puppy will learn to bond quicker and more easily with your child.
Discipline
Puppies are naturally curious and playful. They tend to get into all kinds of trouble. It is important to let your child know that you will handle the discipline side of things for now. However, allow them to be present and learn. Let your child know that he or she should not discipline the puppy, but always alert you first.
Walking
Depending on how old your child is and the puppy, your child can accompany you for walks and occasionally take hold of the leash. It is a good idea to practice this in a safe area first. However, always be alert and supervise and step in when necessary.
If your child is a little too young, walking with your new puppy is still good enough for a bond to occur. Don’t offer the leash to a very young child on a busy street. A quiet park may be a good place to practice and help a bond develop. You can hold the leash while allowing your child to do so, though you should be more in control.
Teaching Kids
As an adult, you will need to teach your children certain rules about your new puppy. These things include not shouting and screaming, not pulling the tail or otherwise poking or squeezing the puppy. Sometimes a puppy needs to relax too.
Very young children are innocent and maybe overstepping certain marks. Your puppy needs to feel safe. Eventually, the puppy will feel accustomed and get used to certain routines and gain confidence, as will your child. Supervision is key during the early days.