This Is Why You Should Get A Dog When Your Kids Are Older

The main one being that a dog will always be delighted and happy to see you walk through the door (and they'll never give you cheek!) 

That's definitely not the only reason though; here are four more reasons: 

Dogs teach kids so many things – Dogs are loving creatures and because they are lovable, they teach your kids how to care for someone, love someone and be mindful. As dogs need some care, they will be vital in showing your kids how to look after someone other than themselves. Dogs need their fur brushed, they need their meals and water as well as plenty of exercise. A dog becomes a huge part of family life so again your child is learning how important family life is and how to enjoy it with everyone. Children can be a bit selfish at times but having a dog teaches them how to care about someone else and this is an important life lesson.

The beauty of friendship – Kids go through a lot in their young lives. They make friends and they lose friends but the wonderful thing about having a dog is, your kiddie will never be lonely. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and can sense when their owners are upset or stressed. When your child arrives home from school sad or upset, a cuddle from a waggy-tailed dog makes everything OK. Kids also feel comfortable talking about their fears and concerns to a dog who won't ask questions or judge. 

Playtime is fun – There is nothing more fun than throwing a ball around for your dog or training them to do cool stuff. Some kids will love chasing their dog and doing mini obstacle courses with them. Like the above, it is their friendship and they have a lifelong pal who they can trust. The whole family can enjoy the benefits of having a dog by going on days out to the park, forest or going up the mountains. In fact, a dog has health benefits as owners will need to be more active with them.

To bring your family together – When the kids get older and everyone has their own things to do it can be hard to spend time together. If your family has a dog you will all take responsibility for the pet so essentially, you are sharing in your parenting duties. It means teenagers may not want to sit with their parents to watch a movie, but they will sit down for a while to cuddle up to their dog. You can go on trips as a family and use the dog to get everyone involved!

However, before you consider adopting a dog, we advise you do your research and consider the cost as well as making sure you are aware of your duties as a dog owner. A dog is for life after all.