Dogs eat a lot, poop a lot, eat their own poop, have many other bad habits, and get into all sorts of mischief and trouble. They can also be expensive and require a lot of effort and time. You'd wonder why people even think about getting a dog in the first place.
Why family needs a dog
Aside from being unlucky, dogs are mood boosters, anxiety reducers, stress relievers, and adorable. Their presence is calming, therapeutic, stabilizing. Recent studies have also shown that they can detect cancer, lower blood sugar, and they can be trained to recognize the onset of a seizure. A 2011 study in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children who grow up with dogs have a lower risk of developing eczema and other common household allergies.
More recently, guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs are growing into the hundreds of thousands. A new category of service dogs is also emerging: comfort dogs that are trained and sent to locations where a disaster has occurred.
Until you've experienced the tireless enthusiasm of a cute puppy, the sweet comfort of having tears lick your cheeks when you're sad, or the regular presence of a companion eager to complete, it's hard to explain the love that comes with having a four-legged friend.
A dog is a great motivator to stay fit, especially for those who don't like going to the gym. Remember, when you take your dog with the Training Collar for safety reasons, you are also walking.
Buying a dog with your family in mind is a big decision. As your children grow, you should think about adding a furry family member to the clan. Choosing the right dog can make a huge difference in the success of this endeavor. Some breeds are known to be excellent with children.
Ideally, you want a dog that you can trust around your children, one that fits your lifestyle, and one that, ideally, doesn't add significantly to your workload. Pet ownership has significant social health benefits, especially with allergies, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, so there are definitely benefits to pet ownership for families.