Translated by Nick R
Many times, due to ignorance and fear, people prefer to get rid of their pets when a baby arrives home. However, this is neither necessary nor advisable given that it would be very harmful to your furry friend who has been with you for a long time.
On the other hand, maybe your family doesn’t have a dog but is considering it, and it’s a great idea! Canines can bring multiple benefits to everyone at home including babies and here I’ll tell you what those are:
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Say goodbye to allergies
Exposing babies to pets such as dogs or cats will help them develop a strong immune system and thus reduce the risk of diseases such as asthma, rhinitis or allergies.
For example, a study by the University of Finland claims that “Finnish babies who lived with a dog or, to a lesser extent, a cat, experienced fewer weeks with ear infections, coughs or nasal congestion. They were also less likely to need antibiotics than babies in homes without pets.”
But why does this happen – can babies be exposed to any dog without negatively impacting their health?
According to Dr. Eija Bergroth, “We believe that exposure to pets somehow matures the immune system, so when the child encounters microbes, he or she might be better prepared for them.”
However, this doesn’t mean that a dog with poor health, poor hygiene, and probably some disease can’t pass it on to the baby.
So, although it is excellent for children to have pets to strengthen their immune system, the canine’s health must also be cared for in order for this relationship to thrive properly.
An active and playful child
Children love animals (especially if they grew up with them) and because of this, they can spend a great deal of time with their pets.
By having such an active pet, as dogs usually are, the child will have fun playing and walking them in the park. This will allow both of them to exercise and have great physical health.
Reducing stress in children
By constantly playing and exercising with their pet, children will get all their energy out and this will prevent them from suffering from stress or boredom because even if they don’t go out to the park with their dog, they will be accompanied at home.
Pets provide emotional support to their owners and make for a happier and more relaxing environment for children.
In fact, there are several studies that show how assistance dogs can reduce anxiety and stress in ill children or adults, even making their stay in the hospital more bearable.
A child with good values
Having pets will help the child acquire important values such as respect, empathy, and compassion. By growing up with a dog, they will learn to treat animals and people with respect and affection.
Therefore, it’s important that from the first contact with the pet you teach the baby how to treat the dog so that he/she is not rough with the animals or even hurt them.
A sociable child with positive self-esteem
This has a lot to do with the previous point, thanks to the values children learn from having a pet; they will be able to socialize more easily with other children.
We must keep in mind that humans are social beings and need interaction with other people (some to a greater or lesser extent). A child who is able to interact with others will have a positive impact on his or her self-esteem by feeling socially accepted and making friends.
Some dogs are also specially trained to help in the emotional therapy of people with various problems, among them, socialization problems.
Dogs as faithful and protective friends
We know dogs are very loyal and protective of the people they love. They are aware of everything that happens at home, warn us if there is a stranger nearby and can even protect children suffering from seizures if they are trained.
The child will be able to create a very close bond with his pet that will make him always feel accompanied and safe.
Let me give you an example, my 5-year-old niece was afraid to sleep alone and cried a lot because of that, to help her, I let my pet Amber sleep with her one night, that calmed her down and made her feel very safe since my furry one was protecting her.
On the other hand, some canines can also be professionally trained to be alert to possible dangers and always look out for the welfare of the child or in general of the family they live with.
A responsible child
Your child will also learn to be responsible from being in charge of another life, that of his or her pet. Therefore, it’s advisable for parents to gradually give the child certain tasks that have to do with the well-being of their pet, such as serving it food, making sure it has water available, or even taking it for a walk (with company, of course).
Even the child himself can teach basic tricks to their pet at home to bond more and make sure that the canine listens to their commands.
FAQs about babies and dogs living together
Now, many parents and pet owners ask frequently asked questions when they have a baby at home and don’t know how to proceed.
Which dog is best for your baby?
If you don’t have a dog yet, but you’re thinking of welcoming one home, you’re probably wondering which one is right for your family and especially for the baby at home.
You might actually say that any dog could be ideal with proper training and education as the dog’s personality will vary depending on several factors such as what it has experienced as a puppy, how it was raised, and if it has had contact with children before.
However, the breed can also influence the decision a bit when bringing a furry one into the home. Some breeds
- Cocker Spaniel and Beagle: these two breeds are very playful and have a lot of energy; they are ideal for playing with children. Also, they are medium-sized, so they are less likely to hurt the child unintentionally.
- St. Bernard: although being a large dog, he has a very calm personality and is very patient. Children have a lot of energy and can get to bother their pets, therefore, this breed is very good as it is very peaceful and won’t hurt the child if it bothers them.
- Labrador and Golden Retriever: they are large breed dogs, yet they tend to be quite sociable, affectionate, playful, and friendly with people. In fact, these dogs are used a lot as therapy or assistance dogs because of the personality traits I mentioned above.
Can the baby get sick from having a pet at home?
As I already explained, studies show that having a pet can help children strengthen their immune systems and not get sick easily.
However, keep in mind that the canine must have good hygiene, comply with its vaccination and deworming schedule and go to regular veterinary appointments.
Can the dog and the baby live together without hurting each other?
Of course, to make coexistence work, the idea is that both the child and the dog are educated by an adult in charge. They both must learn how to interact with each other properly so that they don’t hurt each other unintentionally.
But really, this will be the adult’s responsibility, as both the child and the dog will not understand from one moment to the next how they should behave or play. Read our blog on Tips to make your baby and dog best friends to learn more.
How to train the dog to behave properly?
Many people think they have to get a professional trainer or enroll the dog in a training school, but this is not always true.
You can train your dog at home without help, you just need time, patience, and positive reinforcements (such as snacks) so that your dog learns different tricks and commands and, in this way, you have more control over his behavior in different places and situations.
We have some articles that will help you in the process of training your dog:
- What are the first habits you should teach your dog?
- 13 Tips to stop your dog from biting and damaging everything at home.
- How to train your dog not to be distracted + How to train your dog not to be distracted
- Your dog is aggressive + What can you do?
