Top Reasons Kids Want A Puppy

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to be begged by a child (or ganged up on by children) for a puppy, then you know there are many decisions that need to be made prior to jumping into this type of commitment. So, I decided to dig deeper and ask the kids a tough question in return; “WHY? Why do you want a dog?”

Here are the 7 reasons my kids want a puppy:

1. The Awww Factor: “They are cute and cuddly.”

While this isn’t an acceptable reason to bring a puppy into our home, it is true!

2. The Responsibility Promise: “They will teach us how to be more responsible.”

While we would all like to believe the kids will be the ones walking and feeding the new puppy, as a mother, I have to be prepared for the opposite. Case in point, clothes still have a hard time making it to the hamper and Legos seem to live on the floors. I do, however, have hope that since a puppy is more interactive than socks, maybe this could work out.

3. The Don’t Let Me Be Lonely: “They will make a good friend to play with.”

I have to say, this was the exact reasoning of why I have two kids and not just one. I wanted them to have a playmate close in age. It seems to have worked out fabulously so far. A dog will make a good playmate, especially when your brother strong-arms the ball too far and you don’t want to run and get it anymore.

4. The We Know We Play Too Many Video Games: “We will be more active outside.”

Funny that this came up. My kids are outside a lot – baseball, soccer, biking. I wonder if they’ve been Googling ‘how to sell your parents on getting you a dog’.

5. The Deep Guilt Trip: “We need to know what the experience of having a dog would be like.”

Aaaah, yes. The need for childhood experiences. How quickly we forget the birthday parties, Christmas morning, and new bikes. The summer, spring break, and weekend getaways. Visits with Grandma and sleepovers with friends. Going to movies on opening night or baseball games on opening day. Ice Cream to celebrate Honor Roll, or eating at a buffet so you can binge on all-you-can-eat-dessert. Swimming in the pool all year round or spending the day at the waterpark. Cuddling on the sofa together when we are all sick or camping in the wide open world. Aaaah, yes...we don't have nearly enough experiences.

6. The Puppy Will Protect Us: “Remember when those guys tried to break into our car, the dog would stop them!”

While the small stature of a puppy may not be enough to stop a robber, a bark is usually known to deter a thief at least to the next house. Similar to my kids cleaning their room, criminals don’t want to try that hard either. I think this is good reasoning.

7. The Out of Answers Answer: “We want one just because.”

Why get dessert? Why get new shoes? Why wait until tomorrow to fill the car up with gas? Just because. Logically everything tells me our family may not be ready for a puppy, but we weren’t prepared for kids either and that seems to be working out.

Expanding your family doesn’t need a reason other than how it will make you feel to have that little someone needing you, looking up to you, and being a companion. Maybe now isn’t the perfect time, but will there ever be? Might as well just jump in and do it. And even if the kids don’t take care of the pup, I’ll have a mama’s puppy to love; I’m sure he’ll like me best anyway.