What's a good age for a child to receive a puppy?

Question

I have a six year old son and he really wants a puppy for Christmas, he says that he'll take good care of him and I almost believe him. What have your experiences been like with children and pets?

Answer 1

I got my first one when I was 4... of course, Mommy had to tell me EVERY time to feed her, and then "help" me feed her... and we spent all day out in the yard playing, so it wasn't a huige deal there... I did learn, however, that if I didn't feed her, then she wouldn't eat, and I started being (almost) responsible for her from the beginning.
My brother got his dog when my daughter was only about a year and a half, and since his wife watched her, she spent all kinds of time around his mutt. They became the best of friends, and she "helped" feed the dog, and all of that, until my brother got stationed somewhere else.

If you are willing to do most of the work (with the child helping, of course) until the child is ready to take over the responsibility, then any age is a good one.

Answer 2

If you buy a dog, you are responsible for it, not the child. Sure, you can make the child take care of the dog, but you are the one to make sure it happens. Don't expect a 6-year-old to be that responsible.
So the question is: are YOU ready for a puppy? You need to educate yourself if you don't have experience with this. The puppy will also need obedience training, and YOU need to do this. Your son can go too, but he's not mature enough to train a dog alone.
Christmas is not usually a good time to get a new dog, because of all the extra parties and socializing and confusion. You should bring home a new dog when you can devote some time to getting it used to the new home, housebreaking, etc. Maybe you can do this at Christmas time, if you make it a priority.

Answer 3

Just a suggestion - a puppy is alot of responsibility and work, almost like having a baby-- why not adopt an adult dog from the pound that is young but already trained. We did that, dog is about 2 1/2 years old so trained but young so lots of fun and playful. This will be less expensive because the pound will pay for the shots and you will be saving a dog's life.

Answer 4

Between 8-10 years depending on the maturity of the child. Start with something a little less needy...like a goldfish. If the child can demonstrate they can feed the goldfish and change the water for three months straight, then go for it. (Use the star on the chart recording method, etc.). Make sure he understands he has to pick up the doggy poo as well. If he is a real mature six year old you might consider it. Otherwise....go for the goldfish.

AND....sign him up to volunteer at the local SPCA to walk the small docile dogs. It's a good start.

Answer 5

A six year old kid will need help with taking care of the puppy but you should teach him to be responsable. There's no harm in having a puppy, dogs will only bring joy if they're given love and affection.

Answer 6

they'd and could be gently dealt with from beginning,yet in basic terms for a couple of minutes 2 or thrice an afternoon.that's stable for the doggies to be gently dealt with and conscious of human beings,in spite of the incontrovertible fact that that's no longer stable to hold them around like toys whilst they are in basic terms one week previous. extreme socialization can initiate interior the domicile at approximately 3-4 weeks of age and then after the doggies have been vaccinated,they could be socialized to persons and animals.

Answer 7

I have 2 and it is different with each child. My son is 15 and probably wouldnt look after a puppy. If your son seems responsible then by all means get him one.

Answer 8

6 or 7 is a good age for a puppy but he will not take care of it after the novelty of it wears off, without being forced. If you are prepared to take care of it, feeding, cleaning, vet bills, etc. then go for it. It is also very hard to see your child heartbroken if it dies so be prepared. Of course they get over it but it is hard.

Answer 9

I think 6 yrs. old is a great age for a puppy. He won't be able to help with everything, but having a puppy at this age and making sure he has water and food is a great way to teach kids responsibility.

Answer 10

I got my son his dog for his third birthday.He is nearly four now.My son and his dog are always together.When my son is outside playing and I call him,all you have to do is look for the dog,and you know where my son is.When my son is watching T.V,his dog is either on my son's lap,of at his feet.When my son is in the bath,the dog sits at the end of the bath.The only thing I don't allow is ,the dog is not allowed to sleep on my son's bed,or in his bedroom.The only thing that I do with the dog really is walk it,as my son is way to young to walk the dog.,but my son feeds the dog every night,straight after we eat dinner.