Owning a dog isn’t just about owning a pet. They will be an addition to your family, someone who you will love and cherish, that you will miss when they aren’t there but love when they are. As a family, there are many benefits for owning a dog, from popular breeds like a labrador retriever to mixed breeds. Not only are dogs extremely cute, but they are also good for bringing the family together.

Most dog lovers will tell you the love and joy they have by having a dog. The fun it brings to the family and how they never regret getting one. Dog’s just make you happier and help with your mental health, how many times have you looked at one being walked and thought to yourself – how cute is he or she? All you need to do is look at the countless dog images on Instagram and you will be sold within a second. 

Below are six benefits for having a dog as a family. 

Image from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-short-coated-gray-and-brown-puppies-lying-on-white-textile-57627/ 

Exercise 

Having a dog means multiple dogs walks, daily. This is great for getting some exercise and if you are aiming to lose weight, you’ll be burning plenty of calories. Plus, it’s an excuse to get your children to come out with you and spend some time with them. It’s always nice to go for a long walk, get some fresh air and catch up with your loved ones. If your children are old enough, they may also really enjoy holding the dog and won’t complain as much when having to go out when they may not have originally wanted to. You can always buy some dog toys and bring them with you for some additional fun. You’ll have your children and the dog running after the ball. 

Fun On The Weekends 

When you and your children are off together on a weekend, are you sometimes stuck with ideas of things to do? Having a dog can open the opportunity to many ideas which you may have avoided without having one. Why not venture out to a nice park and bring some dog toys with you, spend the day running around, playing with your furry friend. You can bring a picnic with you and make it a special occasion for all of you. If you live near a beach, then you could take a nice walk along the sea and if it’s hot relax for the day together. Some restaurants and pubs accept dogs if you wanted to go for a walk and then treat yourself to dinner. 

Help Your Children Learn Responsibility

Having a dog requires a lot of care and attention. You can’t be fooled into it being an easy experience without any hiccups now and then. As a child, it can help them develop and understand more about looking after others and caring for someone. By allowing them to hold the lead when you go on a walk, shows them trust and responsibility. Allowing them to feed the dog gives them an opportunity to learn about taking care of an animal and when they are stroking them and playing around, it teaches them to be soft and careful. Many of these skills your children will use as they grow up and help them become more sensible and mature. 

A Friend Within The Family 

If you only have one child, sometimes it can be difficult for them not to have another sibling for them to bond with. Having a dog can be a great way to keep them occupied and have some company. You may find that you will walk in the room and find your child having so much fun with the dog, that it makes for a special memory. When there are sustained periods of time when your children are off, like the summer holidays, a dog can keep them amused for hours, instead of you having to find ways to entertain them yourself, especially if you work from home. They will definitely help make your children feel less alone. 

Greater Sociability 

As a family you will be going out for dog walks many times a week. This is a great opportunity for you to bump into other dog walkers who are doing the same thing as you. Not only will this give your children a chance to meet other children, but it also means you can meet other dog walkers as well. This not only helps you all become more sociable, but it also helps you make new friends, and your children to make new friends. After a while, you may even find your children are asking you to go on a dog walk as they want to see their friend who they met the last time you all walked the dog together. 

Stress Reduction 

Have you ever felt stressed when looking at a dog roll on their back, tail wagging begging for you to rub their belly? Chances are not! Dogs are very cute when they want to be, helping you feel less stressed. If you are having a stressful day at work, sometimes it’s nice to go and play with your dog, take him or her out for a walk and just distract yourself for an hour. If you are ever going through a crisis you will also find they are extremely helpful at making things seem better for a short time. 

Overall there are many benefits to having a dog as part of the family. From the reduced stress to bringing your family together and spending time together you won’t regret having one as your best friend. Plus, you’ll get hours of fun trying to teach them new tricks, and in the end of the day, they offer you unconditional love. 

Do you own a dog or are looking at bringing one into your family? What type of dog are you looking at? What benefits have you had from owning a dog? If you have any questions for me, please let me know in the comment box below, I would love to hear from you. 

Category: Pets

Tags: dogs