The Dogs and Kids BookstoreDogs and kids can be the perfect combination - sort of like PB & J, or strawberries and cream! But, adding a puppy to the family (or giving your dog a new, human, 'baby brother or sister') isn't always as straightforward as you might think.
Choosing a puppy from one of the best dog breeds for children is a great start... but in order for the relationship to run smoothly there are certain rules you need to follow. Helping to care for the family dog can help a child learn about responsibility, empathy, relationships and a whole lot more. However, even with the best of intentions, the child/dog relationship can be problematic if there's not been enough thought and preparation beforehand. That's where this Dogs and Kids Bookstore comes in..... Dogs and Kids - the same but different!Puppies and kids are very similar in many ways, in fact I always say that 'puppies are babies' and that 'raising a puppy is a lot like raising a child'. I don't mean that in an overly 'cutesy' way, and diapers, bottle feeding, tiny outfits or fancy strollers don't figure into the simile.What I do mean is that puppies and children have very similar basic needs and developmental progress. A baby needs food, warmth, shelter, proper health care and lots of love.... a puppy needs food, warmth, shelter, proper health care and lots of love - see what I mean? As dogs and kids grow up, the need for proper boundary/rule setting, and loving discipline is added to the mix - and most experienced puppy owners will tell you that an adolescent puppy has A LOT in common with an adolescent human! So - where am I going with this? I think it's important for new puppy owners to realize that adding a dog to the family is sort of like adding a new baby, and that this new dynamic will require a lot of time, effort, patience and flexibility - on their part! The number one priority has also got to be the safety and welfare of the child/ren. This is where taking the time to choose the right breed, (and then the right individual pup), is so important. Of course, teaching children how to love and respect the new canine 'baby', and how to take care of him or her, is also high on the list - as is the safety and welfare of said 'baby'. I've put together a selection of books, shown in the 'Dogs and Kids Bookstore' below, that I hope will give you the chance to learn more about the different breeds that have proven to make good family dogs. I also hope that it will help you to select the best dog breed for your family/lifestyle. There's also a section full of books about building that relationship between dogs and kids, as well as books that will show your child how to train and care for the new puppy... and much more. Enjoy! I hope you found this Dogs and Kids Bookstore fun and interesting, and that it has helped you make the right decisions about the kids and dogs in your family. Best of luck - enjoy your family!
Best Dog Breeds for Children
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