Responsibility for a pet teaches kids to think of someone besides themselves.
If you are considering getting your child a pet, you have probably read a lot of claims about teaching kids responsibility through pet ownership. But you might be wondering just what kind of responsibilities animals teach kids. Pets require responsibility in many areas such as physical care, training, play and considerate treatment. Young children may be overwhelmed by having to take it all on at once, causing the pet to suffer if the parent doesn't step in to ensure proper care. Set reasonable and age-appropriate expectations for the child; have her take over one part of the animal care at a time to gradually grow her areas of responsibility.
Providing for Needs
Caring for a pet is like taking care of a newborn baby, who depends on you for everything from food, warmth, shelter and basic hygiene to playtime and love. Without assistance, the animal will suffer from dehydration, malnutrition and ill health and may exhibit anti-social behavior. Looking after an animal teaches kids the responsibility of looking after someone else, regardless of personal convenience. When kids learn to provide for a pet's physical needs such as food, water, bathing, training and playtime, no matter what TV show is on, which level they are trying to achieve in their video games or who is on the phone, they learn to give their pet's well-being precedence and by extension, the well-being of others.
Following a Schedule
Animals do not necessarily follow a child's preferred schedule in regards to their needs. A responsible pet owner cannot indefinitely postpone feeding or walking his pet without endangering the animal. Children must learn to adhere to the feeding and exercise schedule on a regular basis. Following a schedule ensures that the pet's needs are met in a timely manner and teaches the responsibility of following through on a commitment even when time conflicts arise.
Respect
An untrained pet can be a nuisance or a danger to others. Just as parents have the responsibility to teach children appropriate social manners, pet owners are responsible for training their pets to interact respectfully with other animals and stay out of other people's yards, gardens and flower beds. Further, the owner must clean up after any messes the animal makes as a matter of simple respect for others. Owning a pet teaches children to take responsibility for the actions of those in their care and to do what they can to make sure the animal does not become a problem for others.
Self-Control
Overly boisterous or unintentionally threatening behavior by energetic children can cause instinctive reactions in animals that can harm the child or others. Taking care of a pet is a chance for children to learn make the animal feel secure and ensure the safety of herself and others by exercising self-control. Kids learn the types of actions that tend to put an animal in defense mode; thus, they learn to adjust their behavior around the animal as a matter of compassion and consideration for the needs of another.
Empathy
Responsibility for the care of another, whether animal or human, means being aware of the other's needs. Just like people, animals give off hints of their feelings through body language. A child who is learning pet responsibility can learn his pet's signs of fatigue, hunger, excitement, restlessness, sadness and desire for play or exercise. This allows the child to respond promptly to another's needs as a matter of empathy and kindness.
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