Dog parenting is an awful lot like human parenting. It’s why we use the word ‘parenting’. You may have the odd parent tell you that having a dog is nothing like having a kid and that you’re clueless. It’s not true, though. I am a parent to both dog and child. I can tell you, there are a lot of similarities.
In no way, shape, or form is being a dog parent exactly the same, but here are 10 reasons why having a dog is a lot like having a kid:
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Your schedule is now their schedule. Your life now revolves around them. If you want to make plans, you need to make arrangements.
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You are constantly cleaning up after them. They leave their toys all over the place.
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You have to deal with poop.
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You are responsible for their wellbeing. You have to feed them, make sure they’re bathed, nurse them back to health when they’re sick, etc.
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You are fiercely protective. NO ONE messes with them.
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They will wake you up at all hours of the night. They have to pee. They have to poop. They missed you while you were sleeping.
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You won’t always understand what they want or why they’re sad or angry and it will frustrate you.
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They will make you laugh and laugh and laugh.
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You have to teach them everything you possibly can.
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THEY ARE EXPENSIVE. Oh my goodness. I’d use the term ‘money pit’ but they are both worth every single penny, so it doesn’t feel like a pit at all.
I hope parents to human children don’t think it is belittling to parenthood to compare having a child to having a dog, but I honestly believe that in our situation, having our dog better prepared us for challenges we now face as parents.
