A lesson from our dogs

Children who spend more time with pets are kinder and less prone to tantrums

PRE-SCHOOL children may be better behaved and kinder if they have a family dog, a study has found.

Experts believe younger children, who spend more time with pets as they are not at school, learn better empathy.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute looked at more than 1,600 families with children aged two to five.

Parents filled out a questionnaire which measured children’s antisocial behaviour, problems interacting with others and ‘prosocial’ behaviours such as kindness and sharing.

Children from dog-owning households were 23% less likely to have difficulties with their emotions and social interactions compared to children who did not own a dog. Playing with their pet three or more times a week made children 74% more likely to be kind to others.

Dr Hayley Christian, who led the study, said having a dog could benefit children’s development and wellbeing. She added: ‘This could be attributed to the attachment between children and their dogs.’

Children in the study were judged to be ‘prosocial’ if their parents agreed in a questionnaire, for example, that they happily shared toys and treats.

They also thought their child would help if others were hurt, upset or feeling ill, and that they were kind to younger children.

Those children who walked their dog with family members at least once a week were 45% more likely to behave in a prosocial way.

And those who played with the dog three or more times a week were 74% more likely to behave well towards others.

Previous studies have found that children with dogs have better empathy towards others and take responsibility for themselves, as well as having better self-esteem.

But there had been little research on very young children.

When young children had a dog, the results show, they were 40% less likely to have problems interacting with other children.

They were also less likely to lose their temper or be argumentative with adults.

The study, published in the journal Paediatric Research, notes that children who have a dog, and regularly walk with them, may generally be part of high-functioning families, which means their behaviour is likely to be better.