For those who have skinkids... If you have skinkids do you give your kids doggie chores to help with your yorkie. I have an 8 year old daughter and apart of her dog chores are to make sure he's got food and fresh water daily and brushing on the weekends. This weekend she did bath time herself while I watched. (bath, blow dry, comb through, teeth brushing and pup spary). I think it helps with responsibility and teaching her the proper way to treat animals. |
I don't...but only because Sophie is mine and since I wanted her I feel she is my responsibility. If they had a pet, then that pet would be their responsibility. My skin girls are 15, 15, and 7. |
No skinkids here- but I always had dogs in the house growing up. We were asked to walk the dog, put food in the dish, refill water, etc. I can't say they were really a "chore" because obviously my parents took care of the dog too and made sure she had what was needed. But we were expected to help out to some extent with her. Although, we (my sister and I) did beg for a dog. I think if the kids didn't ask for/ want the dog it would be different. Obviously, I went through periods where dog responsibilities were the last thing on my mind- but I enjoyed having dogs around and spending time with them. It also helped me to learn the necessary skills when I moved out and got my own pets. |
No skinkids for me but my 7 year old brother has 2 dogs living at my dad and step-moms house and I wouldn't say helping with the dogs is a 'chore'... it's not something he's forced to do but my stepmom will ask him to feed the dogs sometimes or let them in/outside the backyard, and he willingly enjoys going out in the yard and playing ball with the dogs, and taking them for a walk. When I'm over there, I will walk Jackson and Lily (their JRT) and he walks Buddy (their Dachshund mix). When I was a kid, I got a Golden Retriever puppy for my 4th birthday. Even though she was "my" dog, my dad obviously knew going into it that the dog was ultimately his responsibility. But since I begged and begged for a dog for so long, they made me feed her, etc, but honestly that didn't last very long. I highly enjoyed her as a kid and was always playing with her but I don't remember her ever being a chore. But growing up with her, and then we added our Shepherd, taught me about loving and respecting animals. I've been a dog lover since I can remember. |
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OP I think you are doing a wonderful job with your DD!!! So many parents now don't teach responsibility to their kids and it's very sad. We've all seen them and you know the ones who weren't brought up right when you see them. Thank you for taking that time with your DD. She's going to grow into a wonderful young lady :D |
I think it's a great idea to have your dd share in the responsibility of caring for a pet....it will teach her alot. My children, especially my 16 yo ds, will help out with caring for Trixie, but not on a regular basis...more on an as needed basis....like if they see her water is empty, food is empty....poops on the peepee pad (or not on the pad :rolleyes:). But it is rare that need to help out. They will take her for walks, play with her in the yard etc. and they spend lots of time with her when they are home, but her care is my responsibility and I like it that way. Kudos to you though! |
My DH and I take care of our little one, but are trying to get the skin kids to help. My 10 year old is supposed to get Nicco fresh water and fill his bowl in the morning and for the most part he does a good job, but the 8 year old doesn't want to help. They always want to put him on the harness and take him out front for a walk, but I'm scared they'll let the leash go and he'll run off! |
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My granddaughter has a mini dachshound/min pin mix and she is responsible for feeding and caring for her. She's learned to be very responsible. Good job. |
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Before we brought in Darwin and then Mabel, my daughter and I sat down and talked about each of our responsibilities. She makes sure that there is water and food in their bowl before she goes to school. She walks them on the weekends; first two walks of the day. During the week day she walks them once after school if she doesn't have gymnastics. She's only 9 and she remembers fairly well and complains only daily:D. She does a much better job then I do of putting in Mabel's top knot and she seems to really enjoy this part and will often ask if she could do it. It's really nice to share the yorkies with her. She is taking over the kitty litter duty - this will be a paid job of $30 a month if she does it regularly - she is saving up for something big so she has incentive!:) |
Mt skinkids don't have to help but like one of the preious posters mentioned...if I say oh, can you fill up the water bowl? My 4 year old does that. He likes to feed them also. My 8 year old LOVES to do their baths. She is great at it and enjoys doing it. Other than that I do everything but I like it. :) |
My daughter(LeLe) and I share the duties of taking care of them. The deal was I had a dog, and she wanted one of her own. So, we let her pick her dog. Her choice was a yorkie, Sydney. Sydney was our first yorkie. This deal was made when LeLe was 7. LeLe will give them food and water. I take care of pee pads. LeLe gives Sydney her bath and I will give Emmie her bath. And when it is time to go to groomers we both go. I don't leave my babies so we both sit there and wait on them. LeLe knows not to make any plans on groomer day. Sydney is 5 and LeLe is 12 now, and I must say that LeLe does really good at this. If she is out of school for snow and I"m at work she will brush both girls out. I think letting her choose her dog and name it helped a lot. |
My family just added Hercules to it on the 18th and all three of my skin kids love helping take care of him. Like mentioned, it isn't a chore to any of them because they all love him so much they are more then happy to do anything for him. Quick question though: my daughter just turned nine and like most kids with a new puppy she always wants to hold him and carry him around with her. He's 8weeks old and I'm concerned that he isn't getting enough time to play on the floor. Is there really any such thing as holding a yorkie too much, or am I just being a bit to over protective? |
Animal husbandry is an important thing to teach children...not to mention it teaches them compassion, responsibility and...well to me teaching those characteristics are all part of parenting...unfortunately they don't happen enough in society now. I was shocked at home my children both jumped in and willingly took part in many things I didn't expect...believe it or not picking up poop is one thing they don't even fuss about, they offer and willing do it! They love using the Poop Patrol grabber! They teach tricks and my daughter whom is 11 aids in grooming as she is getting really into that part of it...my son feeds the dogs dinner every night...we all play with them...I didn't impose animal chores on them, they jumped in with walking and it went from there. I do all the walking though the kids are busy with school and sports and my schedule fits it in. My son actually saw the agility course on YT and talked Dad into letting us have one in our backyard...it's not built yet but it's their Spring project...'my' Yorkie Elvis is actually my daughter's dog. Although he is my shadow, goes everywhere with me, they are very bonded...I wouldn't impose all the aspects of animal care on children, period. I'm lucky my kids want to, but then again, we are into doing things as a family...having dogs is one of them. |
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