Mary Allen
When the family acquires a dog, who then takes responsibility for the daily care?
In the past, it was often said that if the family was considering getting a dog, it was most important that the mother was on the notes. It was she, in the role of housewife, who was at home during the day. This made her the one who most often had to take responsibility for walks, challenges, and most of the daily care.
Everyone’s Responsibility
Today, when both men and women work outside the home, the conditions are different. Therefore, it is wise to determine roles and responsibilities within the family from the beginning. This is especially true if it is the whole family’s desire to get a dog. Is there anyone in the family who says that “Sure I like dogs, but I do not have the time/desire/strength to help”? Respect it and see if the family can handle it anyway. If only you in the family want a dog, it is not possible to demand walks or help with fur care from other family members. It is certainly probable that they also want to take part in the care of the dog when the little four-legged friend has charmed them. Although you do not have the right to make any demands. But it is also not the intention that all responsibility should suddenly fall on a person when the pleasure of the news has subsided if the decision and desire for a dog was the whole family’s.
Responsibility According to Age and Capacity
Of course, small children can not take much responsibility. However, they can be involved and help. Measuring dog food, taking out the leash when it’s time for a walk, helping to brush the fur can handle even the smallest. Over the years, the tasks can become more advanced. If it is children in middle school or adolescence who are nagging blue for a dog – then let them take responsibility for, for example, a walk after school. Even if it’s raining. It IS a great responsibility to take on a living being, and children and young people should also learn it. Of course, letting children take responsibility for walks only applies provided that the child is able to handle the dog. If the dog is a large, strong, or unruly puppy, you may come up with other tasks, such as fur care or activation. All dogs need mental stimulation. If it does not work with walking, the older child can definitely be responsible for half an hour of activation a day, such as practicing tricks, nose work, home agility, or simple obedience training.
When it comes to the adults in the family, of course, a lot comes into play when it comes to areas of responsibility. Maybe one of you works more than the other or has other interests as well. But even if you want to take all the courses, train and take all the walks, it might be nice to share it sometimes. Maybe you can get a nap one day a week when someone else takes the morning pillow? It is also good to know who makes sure that the dog gets food at its set times, buys food at home, cuts claws, keeps track of vaccinations, and the like.
When it comes to training and upbringing, it often happens that a person has the main responsibility. But everyone in the family must know and follow the “family rules” that have been decided. Everyone should know about, and respect, if it is forbidden for the dog to be on the couch, that you do not give food at the table, always dry your paws after a walk, or whatever you now agree on. Otherwise, it will be easily confusing for the dog, if you have different rules.
Of course, the conditions can change during the dog’s life; teenagers move away from home, someone changes jobs, etc., but it is always wise to have a plan. And the more people in the family who are involved in the dog’s everyday life, the stronger the relationships become. The dog also becomes safer if it has several people it feels confident in, and the one who still has the main responsibility can feel calm when someone else takes over.