Live Life Team
There are many pros and cons to dog ownership. Dogs can be playmates and confidants for children. Children can learn a lot if they are taught the proper way to care for a dog: gentleness, responsibility, empathy, nurturing, and compassion for other living creatures ( HYPERLINK “http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5144,00.html” http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5144,00.html).
According to Davis (2001) animals may assist children in developing social competence and self-esteem, as well as coping mechanisms for dealing with disabilities and emotional problems. “Pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief, and other health benefits” ( HYPERLINK “http://stress.about.com/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm” http://stress.about.com/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm). The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) research study also found that pets can lower the rate of depression.
There are also some cons to dog ownership. Dogs have a tendency to make a mess from time to time, and this should be expected. Financial responsibility is usually one of the biggest concerns and may be considered a con. Financial responsibility includes, but is in no way limited to food, housing, boarding or pet-sitting services, and veterinary care. Dogs also need a time commitment from their owners to take care of their basic care requirements, such as cleaning, exercising, feeding, and safety.
Whether or not the advantages (pros) outweigh the disadvantages (cons) depends on the individual potential owner. A great deal of consideration should be given to both the pros and the cons before obtaining a dog. It is ultimately a decision that should not be considered lightly. Owning a dog is very much like having a child. There are commitments, obligations, and responsibilities that are related to responsible dog ownership.
