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How to Get Children Helping With Caring for Pets
Edited by Emily7898, Fighting Irish Fan, Teresa, Meg and 2 others
Edit Steps
- 1Learn about things your kids can do with the pet. For example, your kids can teach a dog fun tricks, or compete in shows with a rabbit. Ask your kids if they'd like to try out any of the activities you find.
- 2Go shopping! Kids love a shopping trip, especially if you go to a interesting place like a pet shop instead of just ordering from a catalog.
- 3Hold a family meeting. Tell your kids that you're upset that they aren't giving their pets good care. Try not to lecture them; instead, you could ask them to imagine if they were in the situation their pet is in ("You would be lonely if you didn't get any attention, wouldn't you?" for example).
- 4Don't expect them to do everything. Split the pet chores fairly between everyone. Mom could give Fido a walk, Dad could feed him, John could groom him, Sarah could pick up his poop, etc.
- 5Decide on a reward or punishment. For example, you could give your kids a quarter for every time they give Fluffy good care, or you could remove TV privileges until they did.
- 6Stage a pet run away! Have a friend care for the pet for a couple days, or board him. If your kids get concerned and ask to put up fliers, etc, bring him home. However, if your kids don't, it's probably time to find their pet a new home.
Edit Tips
- Don't simply give in and do it yourself - this is teaching your kids that pets are simply toys that they can give up.
- If the pet is really being neglected or abused, don't just leave him! Find him a new home.
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Article Info
Categories: Pets and Animals
Recent edits by: Twoscompany, Meg, Teresa
