There are numerous advantages of having a pet as a dog to a family. Yet, when a couple expecting a newborn baby can raise safety concerns as whether raising a dog and their new born baby is a good idea or not. Let us explore some of the benefits a dog can bring to an expecting family.
Companionship: As many people may have heard the expression “a dog is a man’s best friend” coined by King Frederick of Prussia in 1789. Research have shown that owning a dog or other form of pets can be healthier for a family. Other research has shown that dogs can offer comfort to both parents and little children. It is also shown to help relax and relieve stress.
More active lifestyle: Research also indicates that pet owners exercise a lot more than non-pet owners. Taking a dog out for a walk can offer exercise for the entire family. Also, going out with pet dogs may lead to other activities such as running, chasing and playing with them.
Health comes first: Studies have shown that babies growing up with dogs and other form of pets get less sick than other non-pet families. Exposing them to pet dangers and other microbes can boost their tolerance for allergies or ordinary forms of cold or sicknesses, which in turn, boosts their level of immune systems.
Communication: Believe it or not, dogs can also help little children with their communication skills and sometimes speech problems. Dogs help children relax and studies have shown that this way, children can feel more comfortable in speaking simple commands, and improve their communication skills with their pets.
Protection as its best: From editor’s personal experiences, dogs’ priority has always been protection of its immediate family members. My two chow chows are always on guard, and having that sense of protection can lead to better quality of life. We all have heard stories of dogs’ heroic rescues and even risking their lives to save their owners. It is in their nature to guard little children no matter how dangerous it may be.
Laughter: As people may say “laughter is the best medicine”. The study shows it can improve brain functions, lowers blood pressure, epinephrine, increases glucose tolerance and even assist in cancer prevention and recovery. Dogs and giggles from little newborns always come together. As a father of a newborn, I have witnessed dogs always encourage little ones to giggle. Watching the little one playing with the two chow chows is always a precious moment to remember.
Life lessons: Raising a dog from the children’s point of view can teach them great lessons of responsibility and studies have shown children are more compassionate. It teaches them how to nurture dogs and how to communicate and be patient with them.
It is tough to take care of a little baby and dogs at the same time. However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages by a large amount. Even though the little one might still be too young to learn about responsibilities and teaching the dogs new tricks, as a young father, I cannot wait for my little girl to interact with the two chowchows day by day. Some parents may think that raising a dog or pet along with a newborn can be dangerous. Most research indicate that the pet dog should have some basic form of discipline before being introduced to the newborn. After that, close supervision is required when the pet dog is first introduced to the new born. Once trust begins to build, the dog or pet will feel more comfortable with the newborn. After a while, there will be an inseparable bond between the two.
As outlined above, having a pet can be a beneficial to a family, and even more so to a family that is expecting or already have a newborn. No matter what the situation may be, dogs as pets can bring more than memories for a family. It brings happiness, love, health, and above all a bond that cannot be separated.
