A kid begging to be allowed a pet is a very common feature of family life. From common pets like cats and dogs, to less usual ones such as turtles or guinea pigs, kids will often spend weeks or months (if not years) asking their parents to buy them a pet. What many of them don’t realize, however, is that owning an animal doesn’t only bring us joy, but also responsibility. Here are some tips on how to teach your kids to do their share of caring for the family pet.

Taking the dog to the park

Dogs are one of the types of pet that kids tend to love the most, but they are also one of the most demanding pets in terms of time and energy that you need to spend on them. One of the reasons for this is, of course, that dogs need walking several times a day. If you are lucky enough to live close to a park, take your kids and your dog and let them play together. If the dog is new to the family it might need some encouragement, in which case you can look at this list for games that your kids and your dog will probably enjoy playing together. The more trips to the park you all take, the more you can let your kids take responsibility for certain dog care tasks, such as scooping up poop or holding the leash – provided that they’re strong enough! Your kids will get used to the many tasks involved in taking a dog out for a walk and once they are old enough, they can start taking the dog out by themselves.

Taking a pet to the vet

Trips to the vet are a necessity for every pet owner, and your kids need to learn as soon as possible that pets, like humans, need proper healthcare and nutrition. Choosing a vet clinic with flexible scheduling and walk-in appointments, such as the twenty practices run by easyvet.com, will ensure that your kids can always accompany you when you need to take the family pet in for a medical visit, regardless of how many after school and weekend activities they are signed up for! Again, by including your kids in these visits you will be teaching them how to care for their pet, both in terms of which treatments are needed and in terms of how to transport the animal to the vet and back home – not easy if you have a cat or a caged pet! As your kids get older, taking responsibility for vet appointments will prepare them for a more independent life.

Feeding the pets

Nobody likes chores, but they need to be done! According to child development website pathways.org you can start to give children without developmental delays small chores from as early as two years old, and by the time they are five or six your kids should be able to feed pets by themselves. This will help your kid learn how to stick to a routine, and it is guaranteed to make them feel good about themselves for being able to take care of another being!

The way of living has changed drastically in the past two decades. From big suburban houses with a patio, backyard, and a pool, families in urban metro cities have shifted to high-rise apartments. Living in an apartment requires you to make certain changes in your lifestyle. This means that it is borderline impossible to manage a fleet of Saint Bernards in your apartment. The new urban lifestyle has given rise to small dog breeds.

There are certain dog breeds that you can manage in an apartment; these dogs are trainable, friendly, and neither take much space nor demand a lot of physical activity. Such traits make them the perfect dogs for families living in smaller apartments in a city. Apartment dogs are also low-shed and polite.

Breeds such as Labradoodles that were almost unheard of three decades ago are among the favorite small breed dogs. Owing to designer dog breeding, there has been a significant rise in breeding toy breeds such as toy poodles, miniature labradoodles, and many more. You can easily find miniature labradoodle breeders anywhere now because of the surge in the popularity of such smaller breeds.

Some of the best apartment dog breeds you can adopt.

Bichon Frise

These dogs are hypoallergenic, making them an excellent breed for people with an allergic reaction to fur. Bichon Frise is a lovely and playful dog breed that you can easily train. These white furry friends have a short coat, and they shed less than the average dog. Topping up at 15 pounds and standing at 12 inches tall, these cute white dogs will not take much of a space in your apartment.

French Bulldog

French bulldogs have always been popular since the 18th century when they were the companion dogs to almost every family in Paris. French bulldogs, like other bulldog counterparts, do not require a lot of physical activity. They shy away from the heat and love to laze around on the couch. They are friendly, trainable and good with the children. Further information can be found via online resources like Canine Journal for those who would like to learn more..

Shih Tzu

These dogs were domesticated and bred for the Chinese royalty. They have a medium to a long silky coat of fur and a very laid-back attitude. There is no need to take them on long walks. However, they have a lot of energy and love to play around all day. Many Shih Tzu parents love to style up their pets with clips or different styles.

German Spitz

These dogs are taller than the other dogs on the list. They have a sharp fox-like sharp with a dense silky-long coat of brown fur. German Spitz is very energetic, friendly, and trainable. They are also excellent watchdogs, and they will bark away at any stranger in the street from your window. So training them is a must. You must take these little energetic dogs for walks daily to expend their bundled energy.

Bulldog

Bulldogs are a more muscular and fatter cousin of the french bulldog. They have boxy muscled frames and are built wider than most dogs. But they are the champion loungers. A bulldog can lounge on the couch for hours without getting up unless you call them for food. However, they are very friendly, loyal, and good with other pets and children. They will play with you but only when they are done with their daily naps.

Miniature Labradoodle

It is a cross between a toy poodle and a labrador. These dogs have the posh elegance of a poodle and the playful, friendly nature of the labrador. These crossbred dogs are highly trainable and easy to manage. Some miniature Labradoodle breeders specifically breed hypoallergenic dogs only. Moreover, they have a short and thick coat, which means they do not shed a lot. This little bundle of joys prefers to play indoors, but they can accompany long walks as well

Adopting any of these dogs is an excellent idea if you live in a smaller apartment. These dogs do not require more exercise than a brisk walk around the block, making them a suitable pet for chic urban livin