How do you get your children to take care of the puppy they wanted?

1. 60

   Ruby H Roseposted 12 years ago

   How do you get your children to take care of the puppy they wanted?

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2. 89

   JayeWisdomposted 12 years ago

   This answer should probably come from someone not so far removed from child-rearing days; however, it seems pretty simple to me:
   1.  Make it an assignment communicated very clearly to them so they'll understand that taking care of the puppy all the time is their responsibility, they will be held accountable and there will be penalties if they fail to do it.
   2.  I don't think a rotation system of one child doing it for one day, then switching off to the next, etc. will work, so perhaps they should do it together every time--feeding, watering, cleaning up after the pup, taking it out to potty, etc.
   3.  The "penalties" for not doing their puppy-care assignment can be such things as:  loss of part of their allowance for each failure to do what they're supposed to do; loss of TV/video games/phone privileges for successive failures; not allowing them to go places or do things with friends (what used to be called "grounding" back in the day); loss of treats that they would enjoy otherwise.
   4. Children should be held accountable for their responsibilities. If they begged and begged for a puppy with promises ("We'll take care of it, Mom...we promise!"), they should have to do so--no letting them off the hook except in emergencies.
   5. If these things don't work, give the puppy away to a good home with someone you know will take good care of it (not a shelter) and tell the children they can't have another one until they're responsible enough to take care of it. At this point, they may beg for a second chance, but if you've been through multiple instances where they didn't take care of the puppy, I think second chances should wait until they're more mature. Puppies aren't toys that can be tossed aside until the children are ready to play with them. They're live creatures that need care, attention and love. Some children may not be ready for the responsibility until they're older.

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3. 61

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

   Teach them about responsible pet ownership. Involve them in training and care. Include care in their daily chore assignments. Take them to a local animal shelter and talk to them about why these places exist and what happens to unwanted animals. Instead of nagging, make what they want to do, for example go outside and play contingent on caring for the puppy. Emphasize that the puppy is a living creature and a friend, not something new purchased at a store that can be tucked away or tossed away when no longer interesting or the novel has worn off. This is an important life lesson. Too many parents teach their children that puppies can be gotten rid of if they become too much of a bother.

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4. 60

   inevitablesecretsposted 12 years ago

   Don't ever do it for them.  If they think that someone else will do it they wont.  Just keep reminding them to do it.  Ask them how they would like it if you didn't give them dinner or change their dippers when they were babies because you didn't feel like it.  They wouldn't like it and the puppy doesn't want to go hungry or live in a yard of poop either.

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5. 82

   tigerbaby777posted 12 years ago

   What were the rules you set prior to getting the puppy? What were the consequences you set if they didn't stick with the rules?
   
   I would find somebody else who wanted the puppy if the stipulation for getting one was for them to take care of it.
   
   Don't let them have breakfast or dinner before they feed the pup.
   
   When we got a puppy for my son, at the age of ten, we knew he wouldn't keep up his end of the bargain.  We were prepared to help out with potty training, feed and water duties.
   
   We loved the puppy too and we agreed that it was better to make it a family chore.  There isn't any drama that way and the puppy doesn't have an unhappy ending.
   
   Kids dream of a best friend to sleep and play with, not about weekends picking up poo in the yard.
   
   Make a schedule of household chores and switch weekly between family members.  Stick to your guns and don't let them have company or go anywhere until they are done.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 12 years ago

   It depends on the age of the child. However, the parents bear the ultimate responsibility of training the child and the dog. The parents have to make sure there is dog food in the house, that the dog or cat gets its shots, annual vet checkup, etc.
   
   Children can be taught to feed the dog. To walk or play with it outside, to clean up after it (they will need help some times).
   
   In my opinion, children should not have dogs or other pets.
   
   Families should have pets. That is the best approach.

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