Parents and Teens Bond Over Dogs

Bonding with your teenage child can be a challenge for any parent. Teenagers tend to cringe at the idea of spending time with their "uncool" parents as they navigate life, and begin to learn some of its harsh lessons.

While your teenager may act like they want nothing to do with you, and their younger siblings, they actually really crave your attention, and need your guidance now more than ever. Especially teenagers going through puberty, awkward social stages, and those battling shyness.

Adopting, or rescuing a dog can be a great way to get close to your child without them feeling forced into the situation. Surprisingly, many mothers and fathers alike report that getting a new pet made their teenager want to spend more time at home, and not locked up in their rooms listening to music, and texting. They actually, chose to interact with their family by helping to train, and nurture the new DOG.

Now, I'm not saying that getting a dog will end all problems with your teenager, or that getting closer to your teenager should be the main reason to get a dog in the first place. A dog isn't a magical panacea, and dog ownership should be discussed with the entire family (teenager included). The extra responsibilities should be considered, and the willingness and availability to train and properly care for the dog for the long haul should also be carefully weighed. A dog is a sentient creature, and not like a pair of shoes you might buy on a whim that gets thrown to the back of the closet when you realize they pinch your feet.

Having said that though, I do think that if your family has always wanted a dog, and you do have the means and ability to care for it properly, the extra bonus could be that this dog helps you bond with your kids, and can potentially bring the whole family closer.

In the video below, a mother and her teenage daughter talk about their experience training a Guide dog together, and how much closer it has made them. The mother even reports that the experience has given her teen daughter more confidence.