Young children need to know that they are being loved unconditionally and consistently. Children find this in dogs and they are often more comfortable sharing feelings with the animal. It has also been suggested that children who own pets have a better time maintaining relationships with peers especially in grade school. For children who have suffered from emotional neglect, pets can serve as a buffer for loneliness. They often confide in the animals, and the animals make them feel better when they are upset.
Pets are part of many children's lives.
Parental involvement, open discussion, and planning are usually necessary to help make pet ownership a positive experience for everyone. A child who learns to care for an animal, and treat it kindly and patiently, gets invaluable training in learning to treat people the same way. Careless treatment of animals is unhealthy for both the pet and the child involved. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.