“If you are thinking of getting your child a pet, the best time is that tween time, around 11-years old,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a Denver-based therapist specializing in anxiety and stress and author of Mommy Burnout. “The younger you get the pet before the massive challenges of being a tween, the better.”
10 and up. For kids over the age of ten, they can start handling almost every part of caring for their furry pals, from walking to bathing to feeding and playing. Encourage your child to help take care of their pets. Recognize the good job they do when they help out, no matter how small the task it.
Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.
The age of your children is one factor to consider when getting a pet. Generally, since many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it may be safest to wait until your child is older than age 4. But think about your children and their individual maturity levels, because each child develops differently.
Even though your dog still knows the tricks and commands they've learned over the years, they may be a little slower in the execution. They can still 'sit' and 'lay down,' it just takes longer to get there. If your four legged BFF is slow to respond, they may even be hard of hearing.
Even if your dog is considered senior, you'll still want to give them at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Because of their age, exercise might need to become shorter but it's still necessary to make sure they're getting the required stimulation. Choose low-impact activities. Go on walks, not runs.
Make sure your senior dog is given time separate from the new puppy and vice versa. Constant contact can be a recipe for conflict, and one way to head that off is to give each dog some alone time to relax. Both dogs need individual time and attention for themselves, away from each other.
In fact, scientists believe the brain of a dog and the brain of a child are nearly identical. So, a dog is a great way to keep your child engaged at home, and give them an instant friend. Because they're just like kids, your own kids will understand how to handle them and will instantly be drawn to them.
Your 20s are all about having a good time, exploring, making a few mistakes, and becoming the person you're meant to be. They're also an excellent time to find your perfect pet sidekick.
Some of the longest living dogs have been known to live upwards of 20, even 25 years. To put that in perspective, 20 years old for a dog equates to 140 years old in dog years, which is an incredibly long lifespan (learn more about how to work out how old your dog is in human years here).
New study says decline begins in our 50s
By the time you reach your 50s, your strength, balance and endurance are already beginning to wane — much earlier than previously thought, according to a new study.
By now, you've likely realized that your dog is slowing down. He may still enjoy a long walk, but he is not quite as zippy as he used to be. You might even notice that he sleeps more or takes a bit longer to rouse or respond to commands.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that children with dogs in the home had reduced anxiety levels and reduced amount of perceived stress. They believe that kids who interact with dogs have increased levels of oxytocin released into their brains.
On having a baby before you get a dog
Waiting until your children are older to get a dog means that there are more hands on deck to help with doggie care as well, especially because it's likely that your kids will be begging for a dog and promise to help out with walking, feeding and playing with the new pup.
A pet dog has been found to significantly reduce stress and anxiety in children, increase children's physical activity, improve children's immune systems, and improve cognitive development. Dogs have also been shown to improve kids' reading confidence.
Second Dog Syndrome
As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right. All too often, a second dog joins the household and the expectation is that they will behave as the existing dog in the home does, so they are often given the same freedom right off the bat.
But while you're basking in that new puppy life, your older pets might not be so joyful… The reality is that older pets are likely going to need some time to adjust. They may have some complicated feelings about your new addition—an addition that's sharing your attention.
Adding a puppy to the household can excite a senior dog and breathe new life into them as they play and interact with the adolescent. For older pets in their declining years and with health issues, consider waiting until their passing before adding another dog.
Characteristics of Pets Being Relinquished
According to the study: The majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7%) and cats (40.3%) were between 5 months and 3 years of age. The majority of dogs (37.1%) and cats (30.2) had been owned from 7 months to 1 year.
The lifespan of your furry friend depends on size and breed says Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets. Small dogs, like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese or Shih Tzus typically live between 14-16 years. Medium-sized dogs, including golden retrievers, French bulldogs and cocker spaniels, live closer to 10-12 years.
Experts recommend that dogs get 20 minutes to 2 hours of exercise each day. While your senior probably won't be up to 2 hours of rigorous walking, your young adult dog may need even more than that. Just be sure to watch for signs of exhaustion, and stop the walk if your dog is clearly tired.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
The adolescent period typically begins around six months of age, and will be over when a dog reaches physical maturity around two to three years old. The most pronounced behavioral issues will be noticed between six to 12 months old.
It can vary a bit based on each dog, but your puppy likely will hit “adolescence” around 7-10 months, with 8-9 months being the peak described by most owners.