Dogs Facilitate Childhood Learning

We have talked several times about the benefits of having a dog at home when you have children. With their attitude and love, dogs are able to teach little ones good qualities and wonderful things that they will need for the rest of their life. They are ideal companions for childhood learning.  

Demonstration that dogs facilitate infant learning

Spain recently hosted an event that brought together various animal rights associations. On this occasion, various obedience, defense and agility exercises were presented, as well as other types of physical training that can be used by animals to participate in championships or other competitions.

According to experts, “interaction with a dog allows children to learn faster and activates their motor skills.” Just what we wanted to show in this event.

In the competition, which took place in the Magdalena auditorium in Avilés, Spain, it was possible to see that the children had objects next to them that they did not know how to use until a dog arrived.

For example, there were children who had a hula-hoop beside them, they took it, they just looked at it; when a dog arrived, however, the little ones acted immediately and raised the object so that the animal could jump into it. Suddenly the little ones were looking for other objects to use to play and have fun with their dog friends.

A brief demonstration to understand that a dog makes the child’s mind agile, sharpens the senses and accelerates learning.

Child learning: emotions

In addition to improving childhood learning, dogs bring multiple benefits to little ones. As for health, children who grow up with dogs have been shown to be less likely to get asthma.

By being more exposed to bacteria and other external agents carried by dogs, their immune system is strengthened, preventing them from contracting diseases or some viruses, which, otherwise, is much easier.

On top of that, animals bring great life lessons, which can make children better people. We have made a list of some of them, but if you have children and even a dog, surely others will come to mind:

• Responsibility. Ever since a dog arrives in the house, and if you have taught them so, the little ones understand that the animal depends on us and that we must feed it, drink it, make it walk and give it love. We will also have to clean what it stains, bathe it and many other things. If you involve your child in these jobs from an early age, he will be a responsible adult.

• Love without prejudice. Being different sometimes makes us think we are better than others, or leads us to reject them, because they are not like us. Your little one will love the pet, even if it is hairy, smells strongly or does things differently. It will be a lesson for you to learn to love everyone, regardless of who they are.

• Empathy. Dogs are empathic by nature. They say example is the best teacher. For this reason, when your child sees your pet’s good feelings, he will want to imitate him and will be empathetic with the pet and with other people. It is possible that it is a gradual process that you will not be aware of.

• Respect. Your child will learn that even if the new family member cannot speak, with his or her gestures and attitudes, he will say what he wants and needs at all times. Sometimes the animal will need its space and even if your child wants to play, he will have to respect it. It will be a lesson that he will remember all his life and that he will need to be more respectful with others.

Having a dog, therefore, will be more beneficial in every sense, especially if there are little ones in the house. If you already have one, let it interact as much as possible with your child; if you don’t have dogs yet, what are you waiting for? You will not regret it!