When is a Teen Ready for a Puppy?
Behaviors Show the Presence of Youths' Ability to Care for Pets
Adding a pet to the lives of a teenager and his or her family brings some of the best lessons and strongest rewards available in the teen's young life.
In addition, to companionship, pets teach teens the responsibility of the care of another living thing. Also, teens learn the commitment to place a pet's needs above their immediate wants.
Developmental Readiness for Pet Ownership
When is a teen really ready for a puppy? This depends on the developmental progress the teenager has made. One area for concern is the teen's ability to take the position of the animal. Kohlberg, a leading teen development theorist, concentrates on teens' moral development.
His theory holds teens are struggling with a stage noted as Responsibility to the System. "Responsibility to the System" means teens morally are beginning to see they have an obligation not only to themselves but to the rest of the family and community as well. Teens need to be able to show these signs before taking on the responsibility of pet ownership:
- Already taking an active part in group activities.
- Already contributing to the household through chores.
- Already showing signs of kind acts for the good of another person.
- Fulfilling contracts for their behavior.
If the teen is displaying the above, then the teen is probably developmentally ready to take on the care of a puppy.
From Theories to the Household Reality of Adding a Pet
Theories are helpful in determining readiness for pet ownership, but the teen's specific situation should also be considered as well. Each teenager's life situation is different and parents need to help the teen review current activities to see if there is the time, energy and social space to have a dog.
Sit down with your teen and make a review of the needs of a pet. Teens need to understand it is equivalent to bringing home a new family member. The parent needs to have the teen write down a schedule for his or her day and add the following events to his calendar:
- Feeding and watering a pet twice a day.
- Intense personal interaction with the pet for at least one hour per day.
- Exercising the pet daily.
- Training sessions daily for the first sixty days.
Teens also need to understand the cost involved in the care of a pet. If the teenager is gong to have a pet, he or she must realize the price of a new puppy and how quickly the fees add up. Another marker of the teen being ready for a puppy is the willingness to contribute 10% of his allowance toward the care of the animal.
If your teen balks at either the time or money commitments, he or she probably is not ready for a puppy. Parents should help the teen understand the time and money commitments must be in place by the whole family before acquiring a pet. If the teen is not committed, both the teen and the dog will be better off not going through the experience in your home.
Puppies and other pets teach adolescents many, many lessons. The teenager must, however, be developmentally and physically prepared for ownership. The teen should already be showing an aptitude for kindness and perspective taking. The teen should also be willing to contract for certain duties for the care of the animal.
If your teen isn't ready, be honest with both the teenager and yourself. Time, money and social demands will effect the decision to buy a pet. It is a matter of weighing your teen's readiness against the rewards coming from pet ownership. Where the balance lies should give you the direction for your action.
Ready to Own Me?
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