A Puppy For Your Child?

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-12-2004, 09:36 PM

I Want a Pet For My Child

Having been a child myself and going through the begging for a pet, I can honestly say the AVERAGE child is not responsible enough to be sole caretaker of an animal. Yes, the child may care for it for a few weeks or even months, but go to any shelter or rescue group and ask how many animals per year are given up or neglected when the kids stop caring for them and the parents do not want to. I remember my parents getting on my case because I forgot to poop scoop the back yard or clean a cage. I spent five years at a shelter and then several more involved with other rescues. I hated June, July and August (post Easter when the baby bunnies were now hitting sexually maturity and no longer cute babies). I hated these months because Christmas puppies and kittens were now adolescent brats and the owners could not or would not deal with them. I hated seeing the lines of animals coming in and the reason for giving up was often "The kid lost interest." I hated the fall, as all the pets bought over the summer would be dumped because the kids were in school and the parents unwilling to care for the animal. Had these parents had the guts to stand up and use some brainpower, these animals would never have been gotten.

What do you need to think about before bringing and animal into the life of your child and family? In over 20 years of various animal work, I have developed a series of things to ponder.

- Time Commitment: How much time each day do you have to devote to the animal? Are you willing to commit to the pet for its life? (This can be anywhere from three to 70+ years depending on if you getting a mouse, a parrot or a tortoise).

- Human Medical Issues: Are there any allergies or medical conditions in your family that could cause issues resulting in having to get rid of the animal? If there are suspected health concerns, consult a doctor before considering a pet.

- Cost: Can you afford an animal? Getting the kitten or puppy or rabbit or guinea pig is not the big expense. It is possible to spend far more in the first year alone in supplies, food, vet care, etc., than you did on the animal. Regardless of where you get a pet, the animal is the cheap part! Can you afford day to care or medical emergencies? A dog owner can spend over $1,000 a year on a dog they got for free.

- Housing: Can you properly house the pet? Being left in the back yard with a hut and water is not proper housing. Also, these pets are more prone to become nuisances (dogs barking out of boredom) and victims of "pranks" or theft. In order to be truly socialized, an animal must be part of the family.

- Lifestyle: What is your lifestyle like? Do you travel a lot? Is there a lot of mayhem and commotion at your house?

- Grooming: Most pets need grooming. Even short-coated ones benefit from a going over with a fine comb and brush every week. Should you get something like a longhaired guinea pig, Angora rabbit or heavily coated cat or dog, you may have to devote time daily to brushing.

- Need: Why do you want to share your life with an animal? Companionship, participating in sports, protection or because your kids are driving you crazy asking and you want to shut them up?

- Experience: Dogs for example: there are many breeds that are not appropriate for a novice dog owner. Many people see Border Collies (Babe) and Jack Russell Terriers (Frasier, Wishbone) and must have one. What about those 101 Dalmatians? What makes a dog excel in Hollywood often makes it a tough pet for the ill-prepared family who does not realize the needs of the dog. Reptiles though caged pets can be very tricky to maintain. Do you have or are you willing to get the experience to care for the pet you want to get? Will you work with your child to ensure the animal is well cared for?

- Long Term: What will happen to the animal if you have a new child? What if you have to move? Thousands of pets are given up because of a new child or move. Have you thought about the long-term needs of the animal? Remember, some animals have very long life expectancies.

- Golden Years: What when the animal ages? Are you prepared to cope with the onset of old age or when the pet is no longer "useful" will you get rid of it. Can you handle the increased health issues that can go along with a senior animal?

Now, you have weighed all the things mentioned above and decided to go ahead and share your home with an animal, who will be the primary caretaker? The average child will lose interest, sometimes within days or weeks – are you as the parent willing to continue proper care for the duration of the pet's life? If not, no matter how much your child pesters, whines and screams, stand your ground. And do NOT let another family member or friend usurp your authority. Live animals are NOT gifts to be given casually as one would a sweater.

Animals are living, thinking beings that need more than good intentions to live and bond. Each year, thousands of animals end up in rescue, dying, neglected or dumped in the "wilds" by families who gave into the pleas of their children. Never bring in an animal if the adults in the house are not willing to be ultimately responsible for it.

GSD · 11-13-2004, 06:42 AM

We need a new forum heading and place a lot of these articles under them. So many questions could be answered and it would be nice to refer people to one spot where they could get a pretty good taste of what its like to buy/own/breed/etc dogs. Very informative again, thanks.

DarknessDivine · 11-13-2004, 07:49 AM

I think Crossfire Bulldogs needs an area all her own..lol..I have learned so much the past few days from her..

***Carrie*** · 11-13-2004, 12:34 PM

Yup...that's a good one! There are soooo many people who want to get a pet for their child. They need to realize that it is they who need to want a pet and let it overflow if it will to their child.

I was one of those kids who was an addicted animal lover and one of those kids about whom everyone said, "she has a way with animals" because I could get deer to come up and feed out of my hand at certain places where they were semi tame, but people would say, "you'll never get that deer to come right up to you"...... and get dogs who were normally shy and afraid to come and be friendly. My parents' friends would say stuff like that. I can still remember. My Mom was forever warning me, this girl with no fear or caution, "don't go up to a strange dog you don't know." I had no worry about anything.

When I was in kindergarten, I'd walk home from school and steal peoples' dogs!!! My mother would have to figure out who they belonged to and return them. I lugged home a full grown Springer Spaniel once. I wanted a dog in the worst way. Finally my folks got a dog for the family and that was my first pet that I remember and it just went on from there.....my Dad was into guinea pigs and we had 22 of them at one time. But he took care of them. They had huge cages and got to hang out in the lawn in a big chicken wire thing on nice days.

When I was just a little older, somewhere around 10, we had another dog, the first dog's puppy. Then it was tropical fish. This time they were mine and my Dad helped me get going and bought me all kinds of stuff. I had a few aquariums and diligently cleaned them every Saturday. I was very into it and learned a lot about them.

Then it was parakeets and canaries...lots of them. LOL. Every other day, I cleaned their cages and always was careful that they had food and water, a little fresh lettuce etc. I trained the parakeets and loved them a lot!!!

Then it was my first horse who did not live at our house, but a couple miles away. My Dad told me he'd get me one (I was unrelenting in my desire for a horse) if I could find a place to rent in walking distance because I would have to walk there twice a day to feed and care for the horse. I was about 12 then. So, I found a place and he got me a horse and having had horses himself, he showed me the ropes. I diligently walked to my horse every day twice. I rode every day and cared for him like no other, joined 4-H and showed him. I rode the livin' daylights out of that horse. I skipped school like a naughty girl so I could go ride my horse. LOL. Everyone would tell me that when I got into high school, it would be boys and not horses that I was interested in, that I'd lose interest in my horse. NOPE! I liked the boys all right (still do!!!) But never ever lost interest in my horses....had 'em most of my life.

So I must have been one of those rare kids who is responsible and fanatically into animals. I can thank my Dad for that. He was such a good Dad and promoted lots of hobbies and interests in me. And allowed me many pets and taught me....insisted that I be responsible for them. But he really didn't have to insist. I wanted to take care of them. It would break my heart if my bird cages were gross and they had yucky water....couldn't stand to see an animal not cared for in the best possible way.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-14-2004, 07:54 PM

Thanks guys

flyndog · 11-19-2004, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSD

We need a new forum heading and place a lot of these articles under them. So many questions could be answered and it would be nice to refer people to one spot where they could get a pretty good taste of what its like to buy/own/breed/etc dogs. Very informative again, thanks.

We have a forum for this...it's called "Dog Articles".
Kit

Bubblehead705 · 12-16-2004, 01:25 PM

I am about to get a American Bulldog for my family. I have 3 childern ranging from 8 years to 3 years old. the family i am getting the dog from has kids as well, roughly the same age as mine. Should I be overly concened about the puppy adjusting to my family or does she have a good start already with their family.

This is my first post of hopefully many more, today i am going to meet the puppies and i am excited about it. ill letr you know

thanks for the help in advance

Ritz459 · 12-16-2004, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead705

I am about to get a American Bulldog for my family. I have 3 childern ranging from 8 years to 3 years old. the family i am getting the dog from has kids as well, roughly the same age as mine. Should I be overly concened about the puppy adjusting to my family or does she have a good start already with their family.

This is my first post of hopefully many more, today i am going to meet the puppies and i am excited about it. ill letr you know

thanks for the help in advance

If it is a puppy (or even an older dog), I don't think it will have a hard time adjusting. Give it a couple of days to get settled into your routine, but I think it will go all right. The only think I would be concerned about with an American Bulldog with youmg kids is that it might bowl them over! lol Good luck with your new dog!

Crossfire Bulldogs · 12-16-2004, 05:49 PM

Even though the pup is coming from a home with children about the same age as yours, you will still need to give the pup time to adjust and allow it to get used to your children slowly.

The age isn't as big of a concern as the actions and your children won't sound the same, act the same, play the same or even smell the same as the children the pup is used to. Take things slowly and you should be in good shape.

DCgirl · 01-12-2005, 02:27 PM

Bubblehead-if it's a puppy it should be fine.
EVERYONE-FOR THE breeds LIKE A JRT if u are a novice dog owner and must have a jrt then get a jrt mix. I have a shihtzu/jrt that we've had since puppyhood with no problems.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 01-12-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCgirl

Bubblehead-if it's a puppy it should be fine.
EVERYONE-FOR THE breeds LIKE A JRT if u are a novice dog owner and must have a jrt then get a jrt mix. I have a shihtzu/jrt that we've had since puppyhood with no problems.

I'd have to disagree on this one; while the JRT is a strong willed and very active dog, any dog, no matter what the breed should be researched before making a decision on which if any breed is right for your family and lifestyle.

Its great that your mix worked well for you but no two are alike and when deciding to go with a mix its just as important to make sure both breeds work well for your family and lifestyle because you have no way of knowing which traits will be carried forward. jmo

DarknessDivine · 01-12-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crossfire Bulldogs

I'd have to disagree on this one; while the JRT is a strong willed and very active dog, any dog, no matter what the breed should be researched before making a decision on which if any breed is right for your family and lifestyle.

Its great that your mix worked well for you but no two are alike and when deciding to go with a mix its just as important to make sure both breeds work well for your family and lifestyle because you have no way of knowing which traits will be carried forward. jmo

I second that 1...

smkie · 01-22-2005, 12:37 AM

Pet for your child is really another child for you...you will teach them both at the same time, with all the trouble that goes along with it. A child cannot be responsible for any of it without an adult to be willing to walk them through each step of each day. I strongly advise that no pet be given to a child under the age of 5. They are too young to understand that they could harm their "pet" with the best of their attentions. That leaves scars on the child and an injured animal that may or may not survive the accident. Animals should be introduced slowly and with tons of consideration before they are brought home. If the child is old enough to have a pet, he is old enough to research at the library everything he needs to do, before the animal is brought home. My life would have never been the same without the animals that made it joyous. I have always had them in my home right along with my children, but never unsupervised. EVen teenagers have to be reminded...did you feed the cat and clean his box..before they leave the door..I remember my mom saying to me each time I say it to my son. When a child does become older he can take some of the financial responsibilty for the pet as well. I think that is a valuable lesson for latter in life. My son is 17 now and totally responsible for buying the cat he wanted so badly the food and litter it needs, I also had him pay for the shots and neutering. He mowed a lot of lawns in the beginning, and the pride that goes with taking full care of an animal will always be his.

DCgirl · 02-01-2005, 08:03 PM

ok going back to the starting of thread. C I think it depends also on if u already have a dog b4 the child is born cuz thats how my case is so I never went through that however I did go through "When we get another dog can it be a female" stage.Thats just my opinion cuz like I said I've always been around dogs and dread the day I'll have to give up haveing them as pets as an elderly lady when I can no longer take care of them.

BellFounder · 02-02-2005, 06:50 AM

My children will not get a dog of their own until they are ten years old. After that i would hope they are responsible enough to care for it and i will be there to guide them along the way. For now Ginny has guinea pigs, Alexa has a rabbit and William has a zebra finch of his own which is kept in his dads outdoor aviary. Pets are a very good way of teaching a child to be responsible, but should always be a supervised project. My kids know they have to see to their animals as soon as they come in from school before they are allowed to play and this works very well. I am proud to say that in three years I have not had to clean out Alexa's rabbit once and have only had to feed it a couple of times when she has had after school activities. The other two only got their own animals six weeks ago but so far so good.

11-12-2004, 09:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	A Puppy For Your Child? I Want a Pet For My Child Having been a child myself and going through the begging for a pet, I can honestly say the AVERAGE child is not responsible enough to be sole caretaker of an animal. Yes, the child may care for it for a few weeks or even months, but go to any shelter or rescue group and ask how many animals per year are given up or neglected when the kids stop caring for them and the parents do not want to. I remember my parents getting on my case because I forgot to poop scoop the back yard or clean a cage. I spent five years at a shelter and then several more involved with other rescues. I hated June, July and August (post Easter when the baby bunnies were now hitting sexually maturity and no longer cute babies). I hated these months because Christmas puppies and kittens were now adolescent brats and the owners could not or would not deal with them. I hated seeing the lines of animals coming in and the reason for giving up was often "The kid lost interest." I hated the fall, as all the pets bought over the summer would be dumped because the kids were in school and the parents unwilling to care for the animal. Had these parents had the guts to stand up and use some brainpower, these animals would never have been gotten. What do you need to think about before bringing and animal into the life of your child and family? In over 20 years of various animal work, I have developed a series of things to ponder. - Time Commitment: How much time each day do you have to devote to the animal? Are you willing to commit to the pet for its life? (This can be anywhere from three to 70+ years depending on if you getting a mouse, a parrot or a tortoise). - Human Medical Issues: Are there any allergies or medical conditions in your family that could cause issues resulting in having to get rid of the animal? If there are suspected health concerns, consult a doctor before considering a pet. - Cost: Can you afford an animal? Getting the kitten or puppy or rabbit or guinea pig is not the big expense. It is possible to spend far more in the first year alone in supplies, food, vet care, etc., than you did on the animal. Regardless of where you get a pet, the animal is the cheap part! Can you afford day to care or medical emergencies? A dog owner can spend over $1,000 a year on a dog they got for free. - Housing: Can you properly house the pet? Being left in the back yard with a hut and water is not proper housing. Also, these pets are more prone to become nuisances (dogs barking out of boredom) and victims of "pranks" or theft. In order to be truly socialized, an animal must be part of the family. - Lifestyle: What is your lifestyle like? Do you travel a lot? Is there a lot of mayhem and commotion at your house? - Grooming: Most pets need grooming. Even short-coated ones benefit from a going over with a fine comb and brush every week. Should you get something like a longhaired guinea pig, Angora rabbit or heavily coated cat or dog, you may have to devote time daily to brushing. - Need: Why do you want to share your life with an animal? Companionship, participating in sports, protection or because your kids are driving you crazy asking and you want to shut them up? - Experience: Dogs for example: there are many breeds that are not appropriate for a novice dog owner. Many people see Border Collies (Babe) and Jack Russell Terriers (Frasier, Wishbone) and must have one. What about those 101 Dalmatians? What makes a dog excel in Hollywood often makes it a tough pet for the ill-prepared family who does not realize the needs of the dog. Reptiles though caged pets can be very tricky to maintain. Do you have or are you willing to get the experience to care for the pet you want to get? Will you work with your child to ensure the animal is well cared for? - Long Term: What will happen to the animal if you have a new child? What if you have to move? Thousands of pets are given up because of a new child or move. Have you thought about the long-term needs of the animal? Remember, some animals have very long life expectancies. - Golden Years: What when the animal ages? Are you prepared to cope with the onset of old age or when the pet is no longer "useful" will you get rid of it. Can you handle the increased health issues that can go along with a senior animal? Now, you have weighed all the things mentioned above and decided to go ahead and share your home with an animal, who will be the primary caretaker? The average child will lose interest, sometimes within days or weeks – are you as the parent willing to continue proper care for the duration of the pet's life? If not, no matter how much your child pesters, whines and screams, stand your ground. And do NOT let another family member or friend usurp your authority. Live animals are NOT gifts to be given casually as one would a sweater. Animals are living, thinking beings that need more than good intentions to live and bond. Each year, thousands of animals end up in rescue, dying, neglected or dumped in the "wilds" by families who gave into the pleas of their children. Never bring in an animal if the adults in the house are not willing to be ultimately responsible for it.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-13-2004, 07:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
DarknessDivine Boxer Mom Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 1,239 Rep Power: 103	I think Crossfire Bulldogs needs an area all her own..lol..I have learned so much the past few days from her..
	__________________ Boxer Talk

11-13-2004, 12:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	Yup...that's a good one! There are soooo many people who want to get a pet for their child. They need to realize that it is they who need to want a pet and let it overflow if it will to their child. I was one of those kids who was an addicted animal lover and one of those kids about whom everyone said, "she has a way with animals" because I could get deer to come up and feed out of my hand at certain places where they were semi tame, but people would say, "you'll never get that deer to come right up to you"...... and get dogs who were normally shy and afraid to come and be friendly. My parents' friends would say stuff like that. I can still remember. My Mom was forever warning me, this girl with no fear or caution, "don't go up to a strange dog you don't know." I had no worry about anything. When I was in kindergarten, I'd walk home from school and steal peoples' dogs!!! My mother would have to figure out who they belonged to and return them. I lugged home a full grown Springer Spaniel once. I wanted a dog in the worst way. Finally my folks got a dog for the family and that was my first pet that I remember and it just went on from there.....my Dad was into guinea pigs and we had 22 of them at one time. But he took care of them. They had huge cages and got to hang out in the lawn in a big chicken wire thing on nice days. When I was just a little older, somewhere around 10, we had another dog, the first dog's puppy. Then it was tropical fish. This time they were mine and my Dad helped me get going and bought me all kinds of stuff. I had a few aquariums and diligently cleaned them every Saturday. I was very into it and learned a lot about them. Then it was parakeets and canaries...lots of them. LOL. Every other day, I cleaned their cages and always was careful that they had food and water, a little fresh lettuce etc. I trained the parakeets and loved them a lot!!! Then it was my first horse who did not live at our house, but a couple miles away. My Dad told me he'd get me one (I was unrelenting in my desire for a horse) if I could find a place to rent in walking distance because I would have to walk there twice a day to feed and care for the horse. I was about 12 then. So, I found a place and he got me a horse and having had horses himself, he showed me the ropes. I diligently walked to my horse every day twice. I rode every day and cared for him like no other, joined 4-H and showed him. I rode the livin' daylights out of that horse. I skipped school like a naughty girl so I could go ride my horse. LOL. Everyone would tell me that when I got into high school, it would be boys and not horses that I was interested in, that I'd lose interest in my horse. NOPE! I liked the boys all right (still do!!!) But never ever lost interest in my horses....had 'em most of my life. So I must have been one of those rare kids who is responsible and fanatically into animals. I can thank my Dad for that. He was such a good Dad and promoted lots of hobbies and interests in me. And allowed me many pets and taught me....insisted that I be responsible for them. But he really didn't have to insist. I wanted to take care of them. It would break my heart if my bird cages were gross and they had yucky water....couldn't stand to see an animal not cared for in the best possible way.
	Last edited by Carrie : 11-13-2004 at 12:42 PM.

11-14-2004, 07:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Thanks guys
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

12-16-2004, 01:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bubblehead705 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 72	I am about to get a American Bulldog for my family. I have 3 childern ranging from 8 years to 3 years old. the family i am getting the dog from has kids as well, roughly the same age as mine. Should I be overly concened about the puppy adjusting to my family or does she have a good start already with their family. This is my first post of hopefully many more, today i am going to meet the puppies and i am excited about it. ill letr you know thanks for the help in advance
Bubblehead705 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 72

11-13-2004, 06:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
GSD Herding dogs Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WI Posts: 1,133 Rep Power: 138	We need a new forum heading and place a lot of these articles under them. So many questions could be answered and it would be nice to refer people to one spot where they could get a pretty good taste of what its like to buy/own/breed/etc dogs. Very informative again, thanks.

12-16-2004, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Even though the pup is coming from a home with children about the same age as yours, you will still need to give the pup time to adjust and allow it to get used to your children slowly. The age isn't as big of a concern as the actions and your children won't sound the same, act the same, play the same or even smell the same as the children the pup is used to. Take things slowly and you should be in good shape.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-12-2005, 02:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
DCgirl springer spaniel Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 66 Rep Power: 72	Bubblehead-if it's a puppy it should be fine. EVERYONE-FOR THE breeds LIKE A JRT if u are a novice dog owner and must have a jrt then get a jrt mix. I have a shihtzu/jrt that we've had since puppyhood with no problems.
	__________________ Theres no such thing as to much love! Leeann,Dahlila,Cinco

01-22-2005, 12:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
smkie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas city Posts: 84 Rep Power: 74	Pet for your child is really another child for you...you will teach them both at the same time, with all the trouble that goes along with it. A child cannot be responsible for any of it without an adult to be willing to walk them through each step of each day. I strongly advise that no pet be given to a child under the age of 5. They are too young to understand that they could harm their "pet" with the best of their attentions. That leaves scars on the child and an injured animal that may or may not survive the accident. Animals should be introduced slowly and with tons of consideration before they are brought home. If the child is old enough to have a pet, he is old enough to research at the library everything he needs to do, before the animal is brought home. My life would have never been the same without the animals that made it joyous. I have always had them in my home right along with my children, but never unsupervised. EVen teenagers have to be reminded...did you feed the cat and clean his box..before they leave the door..I remember my mom saying to me each time I say it to my son. When a child does become older he can take some of the financial responsibilty for the pet as well. I think that is a valuable lesson for latter in life. My son is 17 now and totally responsible for buying the cat he wanted so badly the food and litter it needs, I also had him pay for the shots and neutering. He mowed a lot of lawns in the beginning, and the pride that goes with taking full care of an animal will always be his.

02-01-2005, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
DCgirl springer spaniel Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 66 Rep Power: 72	ok going back to the starting of thread. C I think it depends also on if u already have a dog b4 the child is born cuz thats how my case is so I never went through that however I did go through "When we get another dog can it be a female" stage.Thats just my opinion cuz like I said I've always been around dogs and dread the day I'll have to give up haveing them as pets as an elderly lady when I can no longer take care of them.
	__________________ Theres no such thing as to much love! Leeann,Dahlila,Cinco

02-02-2005, 06:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
BellFounder Collie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 399 Rep Power: 81	My children will not get a dog of their own until they are ten years old. After that i would hope they are responsible enough to care for it and i will be there to guide them along the way. For now Ginny has guinea pigs, Alexa has a rabbit and William has a zebra finch of his own which is kept in his dads outdoor aviary. Pets are a very good way of teaching a child to be responsible, but should always be a supervised project. My kids know they have to see to their animals as soon as they come in from school before they are allowed to play and this works very well. I am proud to say that in three years I have not had to clean out Alexa's rabbit once and have only had to feed it a couple of times when she has had after school activities. The other two only got their own animals six weeks ago but so far so good.