Читать книгу The Dog Owner's Handbook - Graham Meadows - Страница 28

About two out of three families that own a dog also have children. We might ask why parents coping with a growing family would want to adopt another, non-human member, and the answer is not entirely clear. Many of us think that having a pet dog will help teach our children responsibility: that a child who learns to care for a pet is more likely to have a caring attitude towards fellow humans.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the world’s most popular breeds: a real family animal.

There is also an educational value. If our children learn about a dog’s body processes such as sexual maturity and reproduction, and how to cope with its health problems or illnesses, they may be better prepared for their own experiences later in life. The life span of a pet dog is approximately 10–15 years, and may match the period during which our children are growing to maturity. The life of our dog might help to teach them about growing up, learning, old age, suffering and death. Caring for it during that lifetime may teach them some valuable ’parenting’ skills.

The presence of a pet dog in your household can help your children to overcome anxiety, control aggression, develop self-awareness and deal with life’s problems.

Research has shown that children will often confide in the family dog, spending just as much time talking to it about the day’s successes and failures as they do with their brothers or sisters. When their parents or siblings aren’t around, the dog acts as a substitute. It is interesting to note that the children most likely to develop social skills and empathy with other people are those who talk intimately and at length with their pets and their grandparents.