Would you let your 10-year-old get a dog?

Would you let your daughter get a dog? She is 10. Hasn’t had any pets yet but really wants one. Itll mainly be her responsibility to care for the animal. She schools from home and both my husband and I work.

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Yes, but honestly, I’d adopt an older, calmer one. Look into local rescues in your area. There are many dogs in foster homes where you can inquire on them, their personalities, etc, to see if they’re a good fit for your family, and if your family is a good fit for the dog.

For a first pet, I personally wouldn’t do a puppy. They’re A LOT of work. A LOT.

Edit: I should add, there will be an adjustment period for everyone (a few weeks to a couple months to adjust). YOU, as the adult, will have to teach and guide her. Dogs are not a temporary thing to give back if it doesn’t work out. So talk with her, talk about expectations, set hard boundaries, and you, as the adult, stick to those boundaries.

My 13-year-old sister came to live with me when she was 11, and she came with a dog. She is also homeschooled, btw. I buy the food, pay for grooming, vet visits, make accommodations for when we go out of town, etc. But she takes her dog out for walks, picks up her dogs poop immediately after, makes sure her dog bowl is full of food/water. I still sometimes have to remind her that her dog would like to go outside more than just 2 times a day. Lol. But I never go and do it for her. Never pick up her dogs poop. Never feed her dog. Etc. Boundaries. :woman_shrugging: I do, however, give her dog affection and play with her. But that’s because I want to. :rofl::rofl:

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Honestly it depends on the maturity level and if you’re fully prepared to care for the dog if she fails to. Pets are not something you get for a trial run, so definitely don’t go into it with the attitude “if she doesn’t take care of it we’re getting rid of it” bc there’s enough animals in the shelter already. Above all else. Adopt don’t shop.

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The responsibility is still yours. A child won’t completely take care of an animal the right way. You have to teach them. They are not toys. They are family members. If you can’t agree with this then please don’t get one

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Take her to your local shelter and let her adopt a dog, make sure you like it because you’ll likely be taking care of it. Friendly reminder that puppies are cute but they are freaking AWFUL! :joy:

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I let my 10 yr old daughter get a puppy, she only wanted it to stay a puppy, now he is older and fully grown she has nothing to do with him. I had a dog at 10 and he went everywhere with me. I’m now 37 and just got another puppy and my grandparents tell me I take more photos of the pup then the kids lol

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You’ll be getting an extra responsibility

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Yes, best part of life is having a pet . Be kind to the animal you choose!

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I as a adult made sure I could afford pet insurance and food,toys, things dogs need. Got my absolute best friend, then got her a friend. I love my dogs. But I made sure I was ready in all aspects they are lifelong. I love my girls.

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Unless you’re prepared to take on full responsibility of that animal, I’d say no. You can’t put all of that on a child. All kids want a dog and promise to do this and that… we all know how that ends :sweat_smile:

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Yes my kids were 9 & 11 when we got our dog. My oldest grew up with animals. However you can’t expect her to take total responsibility of it. She’s only 10. She doesn’t take total responsibility of herself yet. We spilt up the dog chores. My daughter brushes her daily, bathed her once a week. My son cleans up the yard daily, washes her bed & toys once a week. We all feed & exercise her.

The real questions here are #1 do you want the responsibility of a dog. Face it it falls on you. #2 can you afford a dog?

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It’ll be your dog. Dr visits & emergency service is expensive so prepare for that.

Have them volunteer at a local shelter, will learn how much work a pet can be, might make them a better care giver when they see what happens to unwanted pets

I hate this so much because Iv seen so many animals get dumped in shelters and given to other people because “my kid won’t take care of it”. Like no f ing duh! A child isn’t taking care of itself, why the hell would you think it can take care of another living creature??? If you want a family dog that your kid HELPS with, then go adopt a dog. If you want the kid to be responsible for it and you do nothing, get the kid a stuffed animal. I’m going to put it this way, if you wouldn’t want that kid to be the one who controls when you eat, go to the bathroom, and get to go exercise, DO NOT GET IT A DOG. Sorry rant over.

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Don’t ever get a dog thinking it will be a child’s responsibility. That’s simply not going to happen

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We got our first dog when I was 6 and my brother was 10. After begging for a long time. Mom’s rule was that we are responsible for walking him 3 times a day, and we did for 13 years… So if your kid is responsible enough to do just that, then go for it.

Understand that the responsibility in the end is gonna be yours. You can’t make a child be responsible for a pet when they can barely be responsible for themselves. And dumping animals at the shelter is a really shitty move. Just cause you didn’t want it doesn’t mean you get to treat it like shit. 

Ok…10 yrs old is too little to make her the “main” care giver for another life. As the adults, you and ur husband should be the “main” caretakers, giving her some responsibilities, which she can take on more and more as she grows.

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If you, as a family, are ready for the responsibility of a dog then go for it. As the parents, both of you should be prepared to shoulder some responsibility of care for the dog as well sense your child is only 10. The complete care of a dog is a huge responsibility. One that she may not be ready for completely on her own, especially if she has never cared for a pet of her own. Please don’t go and spend hundreds of dollars on getting a dog. Adopt one of the thousands of dogs waiting in animal shelters for a good home.

No. My 6 yr old has cats she plays with them but doesn’t feed water or clean their box. My sister has an 11 yr old and she is the same plays but doesn’t do what the animal needs to survive. I would wait until she is older. Maybe let her pet sit and see how she does. If she does food then let her have one. If you are doing it all then you will know not to get her one yet

Yes, absolutely, but you will have to teach her to take care of the dog properly and make sure she does it. If you are not prepared for it to be work for you, then don’t. Taking care of a dog is a big responsibility. Great learning experience for your daughter, but it will take her time to learn.

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Yes I would, it is a good way to teach responsibility, although she will need to be reminded she will learn. Have her watch shows like “It’s Me or The Dog” and other pet care and training videos. Take her to the local shelter and volunteer pet care so she gets an idea of how much work it is. The thing about pets for children they will talk to them, when they have problems and often work out their troubles while talking to the pet.

Like others mentioned always have in the back of your mind y’all are getting a dog. But my 3 and 7 are 10 year old contribute to taking care of our animals around the house, my 10 year old got a bearded dragon a month ago and has been doing amazing with care! Obviously for deep tank cleans and providing the live bugs and greens he’s needed I have to buy those, but that’s pretty much the only time I’m needed for that specific animal. For the most part he’s doing great and does the most, so if you’re wanting a dog in the house yes I would get a dog :rofl::rofl:

Get her one but you still need to make sure it’s being taken care of. Fed. Watered. Walking for bathroom. Attention