Fun Activities For Kids to Do With Their Dog
Dogs are beloved by most, but the relationship they have with children is arguably the purest connection known to man. As many as 69 million households own a dog in the US alone, with a third of all houses across the world believed to include a canine member of the family.
Serving as a non-judgmental, unconditionally loving pal for life, it’s little wonder dogs are seen the world over as the go-to pet for big and small kids alike. Today, let’s explore some of the funnest activities a junior owner can do with their fluffy friend.
Playing Fetch
A recent study found as many 43% of owners said playing fetch was their dog’s favorite game. Aside from just being something that dogs love, this activity is a great way for a child to bond with their pet.
It shows your dog that they can have fun with a child, while also making sure both parties get the chance to exercise and build a relationship that will hopefully last for years.
Draw Their Dog
This gives a child the chance to let their creative side flow, while also allowing them to create a piece of art which will have sentimental value for years to come. Naturally, it might be hard to get a dog to sit down for long enough for a kid to draw them properly. As such, it could be a smart move to take a photo, then have the child work off of that image instead.
Create A Care Schedule
The responsibility of raising a dog has been proven to have a positive impact on the development of children. One recent report showed that:
- Kids with a pet dog were 23% less likely to have emotional problems
- They were also 30% less likely to act in an antisocial manner
- 40% were less likely to have trouble making friends with other kids
- Kids with dogs were also 34% more likely to be considerate towards others
Giving your children the chance to create a care schedule for your pet will help to heighten this sense of responsibility. Make sure to look it over and suggest any constructive criticism before bringing it into action.
Go For Walks in a Park
Dogs need to do exercise as part of their daily routine. While every member of the family should be responsible for this in part, make sure to have your kid step up and take a turn (as long as they’re old enough).
Pick out a set route for them, then lay down some ground rules to make sure that everyone on the walk remains safe. Think about going along and supervising the walk for the first few times that they go on their own.
Have these fun activities helped you better understand the best way for kids and dogs to bond? Think about actioning some of them in the future in order to give both parties the best experience growing up together.
Credits:
Guest Post by: Mavis Miller, e: [email protected]
