Your 3-year old is crying for a new puppy for Christmas. As a parent, you want to give your child everything their heart desires. But wait, what about the puppy? First of all, a 3-year-old is too young to make any kind of decision about bringing a puppy into the home. The first time the fingers go into the puppy's mouth and those sharp little teeth bite down, you'll be dumping the innocent pup at the local shelter. Spare the pup the trauma and start first with a guinea pig, and not until your child is about 5-years-old. For 5-to 10-year-olds mice, rats, or fish are good choices for pets. Your child will learn about responsibility in the form of cleaning a cage or a tank and making sure the new pet has food each day.
Not until a child is between 10 and 13 are they ready to take on the responsibility of a dog or even a cat. Both demand a certain amount of time each day (dogs more than cats) and need to be fed, have water, and played with or make sure they have some kind of exercise. But as the parent, you should always oversee the child's responsibility and make sure the animal is taken care of everyday.
And then there is all the excitement around the holidays not to mention company that can terrify a new dog or cat. There should be quiet and a normal everyday environment for them to come into when you bring a new pet home. Wait a month or so after the holidays before you purchase a new pet, especially a puppy.
If your 3-year-old wants a puppy for Christmas, they make some very life-like stuffed animals.
Help Shelter Pets Yorkshire Terrier puppy card sold in The Card Shop.