5 Reasons Your Child Should Grow Up With a Dog

Growing up with a dog is amazing! I think every child should grow up with a dog or at least get to experience being around one regularly. Growing up with a dog is an experience that a child will cherish forever. I’m so glad that my kids are able to grow up with my dog Simba.

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I’m always in awe of the bond my kids share with him. It’s such a cool thing to watch unfold. I’ve had Simba for 10 years now and our oldest daughter is 11 so he’s been with the kids basically from the very beginning. Having a dog as a pet teaches kids so many valuable lessons plus other benefits that you may not even know about.

Benefits of Growing Up With a Dog

I’m sure there are plenty of benefits of having a dog in your life, but today I have 5 to share with you. If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, maybe these reasons will help you decide to go ahead and make that happen.

Your Child Will Have a Forever Friend

Or should I say furever friend? 🙂 There is no better friend than a dog! A dog is loyal and will love you unconditionally. A dog has all of the personality traits that any good friend should have. Growing up with a dog will teach your child what a real friend is and how to be a friend too.

You know how your love for your child can’t really be explained? It’s the same way your dog will feel about your child and hopefully the same way your child will feel about the family dog. Even after your dog crosses the rainbow bridge, your child will cherish those memories and their dog will forever live in their heart.

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A post shared by 👑 Simba + Dog Mom Kia👸🏾 (@rawrsimba)

Dogs Teach Responsibility

Growing up with a dog will teach your child how to be responsible. Having a dog is cute and all, but it’s much more to it than that. A dog is like having another child, believe me! Adding a dog to your family is a huge responsibility and your child can help with that. You can help them understand that they are responsible for a living breathing thing and that’s a big deal!

There are plenty of things your child will be able to do depending on their age. Remember to only let them help with the dog in a way that’s appropriate for their age. An older child can help walk the dog, clean up after the dog, clean the dog bowls, brush the dog, give food and water, etc. A younger child can give the dog attention (with supervision of course), help train the dog, read to the dog, etc.

Dogs Help Keep Your Child Active

Want your child to get more exercise? A dog can help with that! Dogs need exercise too so if your child is old enough they can walk the dog. Dogs love to play and run around and will definitely keep your child active in many ways. There are so many activities that your child can do with your dog that will keep them active that won’t even seem like exercise, but fun!

Dogs Improve Child Development

Did you know that growing up with a dog can actually improve your child’s development? According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), research shows that having a pet has an impact on a child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Read more about it HERE.

Dogs Increase Confidence

Do you talk to your dog? Me too, all the time! Growing up with a dog can help increase your child’s confidence in various ways. Simply talking to the dog consistently can give them the confidence to talk in front of people or not be afraid to make new friends. Did you know that if a child reads to their dog it can improve their reading skills and give them the confidence to read in front of the class? A dog isn’t all judgy like humans so talking and reading to a dog builds confidence easily.

@BlackKidsGrowingUpWithDogs

I was inspired by the Black Pet Parent community on IG to create a page dedicated to the kid and dog bond. My hubs and I capture some of the cutest and sweetest moments of the kids and dog together and I’m loving it! That’s why I’d love to see other Black families sweet moments of their kids growing up with a dog.

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A post shared by Black Kids Growing With Dogs (@blackkidsgrowingupwithdogs)

@BlackKidsGrowingUpWithDogs is a space to share the precious bond of Black kids growing up with their dogs. When I first made @rawrsimba’s account back in 2012, I didn’t see many with pet accounts that looked like me, but we outchea! So take a look and follow along.