Dog Ownership Benefits Emotional Development in Young Children, Study Finds

dog and baby on a couch

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Key Takeaways

  • Said to be man's best friend, dogs can provide kids with a host of benefits as well, even in very early childhood.
  • A study finds that kids who spend regular time with a family pet develop empathy, responsibility, and better self-esteem.
  • Kids also benefit from the physical exercise that comes with regularly walking a dog.

Everyone knows dogs make great pets. But can a family dog actually provide developmental benefits for very young children? A new study published in the journal Pediatric Research says yes. 

Primarily focused on increased physical activity among kids whose families own dogs over non-pet owning households, the study found a spate of other benefits to dog ownership. 

According to Amy Morin, LCSW, psychotherapist and host of the Mentally Strong People Podcast, "Helping the family care for a dog can help young kids feel like they're part of the team. They may feel empowered when they see that they're able to help care for an animal by helping feed or walk the dog. They may also feel better about themselves when they are able to help with the responsibilities of caring for a pet."

Benefits of Dog Ownership

The following are just some of the benefits of dog ownership the study highlighted:

  • Increased responsibility. Dogs have lots of needs, no matter what breed you choose. They need to be fed and watered daily, played with, and walked. These are all tasks that even young kids are capable of doing, or can do with an adult’s supervision. Many families choose to make pet care a regular part of their kids’ daily chores. 
  • Sense of identity and independence. When a child grows up alongside a dog, that child will undoubtedly develop a connection with the dog that’s unique from anyone else in the family. This can foster a sense of identity in the child.
  • Unconditional love and loyalty. There simply aren’t many other pets out there as loyal as a dog. Your kids will readily see this in their pet’s behavior, and as a result, may naturally live their life this way as well. 
  • Enhanced self-esteem. There’s no fear of rejection when it comes to a dog! At a time when kids are finding their way in the world and likely experiencing their first difficult relationships, a dog who’s always happy to see them can provide a much-needed self-esteem boost. 
  • Greater sense of empathy. With pets comes much happiness, of course, but also sadness and even loss at times. Walking side-by-side with a pet through their comparatively short lifespans can be an amazing exercise in empathy and dealing with grief.
  • More physical activity. According to the study, dog ownership provides motivation and support for dog-facilitated physical activity. And children of dog-owning families who spend time with their pet dog may benefit in terms of increased physical activity, as well as their social and emotional development.

“Dogs are a new socialization experience for babies and children,” says Laurice Wardini, dog trainer and founder of the site PuppyWiki. “Similar to how it’s important to socialize dogs with various new experiences, it’s a great idea to socialize children with different life experiences.” 

What is it About Dogs, Exactly? 

In short, it all comes down to temperament, says Wardini. “Dogs are affable; for the most part, they’re goofy, fun, and energetic, just like kids. There’s really no better match than a kid and a puppy, which is why there are so many intrinsic benefits to dog ownership for young kids.”

Amy Morin, LCSW

"Helping family care for a dog can help young kids feel like they're part of the team. They may feel empowered when they see that they're able to help care for an animal by helping feed or walk the dog. They may also feel better about themselves when they are able to help with the responsibilities of caring for a pet."

— Amy Morin, LCSW

Drawbacks of Dog Ownership

Of course, nothing comes without a price, and owning a dog is no different. Families considering dogs need to understand the expense that comes with owning a dog. In fact, it’s estimated that the average American family spends between $1,400 and $4,300 dollars each year in dog ownership, and that doesn’t include the cost of the dog itself, which can often run several thousands of dollars if you buy from a reputable breeder. 

What’s more, dogs can be a handful, especially if you get a puppy, says Wardini. And Michal McCracken, a dog trainer and founder of Pet School Academy in Wellington, New Zealand, agrees, saying, “For parents, having a dog is a huge responsibility. Adding a dog to the family is a lot like having a newborn baby initially, with things like broken sleep, potty training, behavioral training, and assimilating the puppy into the family's life and routines.” 

Dogs can be quite mischievous, they can run away and get themselves into trouble or get injured, and they do require constant care. And older or adopted dogs may not always adjust well to being around young kids.

Of course, all of these minor drawbacks can be overcome, and most dog owners agree that investing time and effort into a dog pays off in spades. But what is it about dogs that everyone loves? And what makes them particularly good for kids? 

What Can You Do If You Can’t Own a Dog? 

Benefits of dog ownership—empathy, responsibility, physical exercise—are hard to deny, but what should parents do if they simply can’t own a dog, but want their own kids to realize these same benefits? “Asking to look after friend's and neighbor's dogs is a great way to expose kids to dogs and the joy that goes along with them, without the full-time responsibility or financial pressure,” says McCracken. 

Another option is to volunteer at a local animal shelter, or simply spend time at parks where other families are playing with their dogs. Most owners are more than happy to let kids pet their dogs, but it’s important to remember to ask beforehand. 

What This Means for You

If you’re on the fence about adding a furry family member, know that a family dog is definitely a great match for kids. If your children are very young or inexperienced with animals, a puppy might be a better match, simply because it won’t be fearful of children, or too set in its ways. It may be lots of work upfront, but dog ownership is likely to pay off big time as your kids grow.

3 Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Wenden EJ, Lester L, Zubrick SR, et al. The relationship between dog ownership, dog play, family dog walking, and pre-schooler social–emotional development: findings from the PLAYCE observational studyPediatr Res. 2020. doi:10.1038/s41390-020-1007-2

  2. Goldfield GS, Harvey A, Grattan K, Adamo KB. Physical activity promotion in the preschool years: a critical period to intervene. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012;9(4):1326-42. doi:10.3390/ijerph9041326

  3. Powell L, Chia D, Mcgreevy P, et al. Expectations for dog ownership: Perceived physical, mental and psychosocial health consequences among prospective adopters. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200276. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200276

By Christin Perry
Christin Perry is a freelance writer and editor. Her work has been published in The Bump, The Knot, Scary Mommy, LittleThings, Parents, Qeepsake, and more. She has experience writing email marketing campaigns, website copy, and SEO-optimized content. Christin is also a mom of three.