Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Why your teenager needs a dog (and it’s not just to teach responsibility)

Vera Lawlor
By

Elisa was 14 when her family moved to a new neighborhood. She cried herself to sleep at night, heartbroken at having to move away from her closest friends. There was one companion, however, who remained by her side. Elisa’s dog Jingle licked away her tears and comforted the teen as she struggled to adjust to her new life. In a Petco Love article about her relationship with Jingle, Elisa says she couldn’t ask for a better friend.

There’s no doubt that pets play an invaluable role in the lives of children. In addition to loyal companions, they teach children about responsibility, trust, compassion, respect, and patience. While all age groups can benefit from a close relationship with pets, teenagers especially reap rewards when they bond with puppies or adult dogs.

Teenage girl cuddling with dog on bed.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why is it good for teens to have pets?

The teenage years are hard. Adolescents deal with so many internal and external struggles. They have to cope with hormonal changes, puberty, peer pressure, conflicts with parents, and stresses from school and work. A study published in the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal revealed that middle school-aged children reported feeling less social isolation if they had a pet, specifically a dog, in their lives.

Recommended Videos

“Pets can be a crucial source of emotional support for adolescents during a time when social relationships are often changing,” Megan K. Mueller, Ph.D., assistant professor at Tufts University, told Verywell Health. Mueller added that it’s important for parents to understand the significant role pets play in the lives of teens.

Here are just some of the ways teens benefit from having a dog.

Dogs create community connections

One Tufts University study found that teens who bond with pets may forge stronger social relationships and better connections to their communities than those who don’t have pets. In addition, teens who cared for animals engaged in more community service activities, helping friends or family and demonstrating leadership.

Dogs don’t judge

Teenagers feel judged by peers and by adults in their lives. Dogs serve as confidants, providing a wonderful outlet for teens to share their thoughts without being judged.

Dogs help relieve stress and anxiety

According to the Pew Research Center, depression has become increasingly common among American teenagers, especially girls. Caring for a dog, which includes petting, playing, and walking, can help reduce stress and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control, pet owners are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression than those who don’t own pets.

A dog’s friendship helps diminish loneliness

There’s a worldwide increase in adolescent loneliness, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence. Petting and cuddling with pets can help combat loneliness. Walking a dog around the neighborhood is a great way for teens to connect with other people in the community and make new friends, especially if they also have a dog.

Dogs keep teens active

While many teens are active in sports, others spend countless hours sitting in front of a computer or TV screen. Being a responsible pet owner means spending time playing with and walking the dog. Both activities get teenagers up and moving.

How do dogs cope with the teenage years?

Many dogs seem to have an innate ability to read human emotions and understand when their adolescent friends are upset. Just like Jingle, they are ready to lick a sad face, provide a warm body to hug, or just sit and listen. They are excited to play ball or go for long walks if that’s what their teenage buddies want to do. Dogs are also wonderful timekeepers, ready to greet their young owners at the door with wagging tails when they return home from a stressful day at school or work.

When asked how they try to relieve stress, adolescents in the Child and Adolescent Social Work study reported spending time with pets more often than spending time with family and friends, or watching TV and being online. Dogs who are bonded to teenagers like nothing better than remaining by their side, providing whatever comfort is needed.

Teenage boy out on walk with dog.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Researchers say that children who grow up with pets tend to have greater self-esteem and enhanced social skills. For teenagers, pet ownership can also provide an added sense of purpose. Just like adopting a pet is a great idea for adults, it’s also a wonderful idea for teenagers.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Why do dogs have whiskers? These small features play a huge role
These hairs serve a large and important purpose
A brown puppy looks up, with sunlight shining on their whiskers

If you've ever noticed those extra-long hairs on your dog's face, it's only normal to wonder what they are and what they do. Whether your buddy visits the groomer or gets their fur brushed at home, it's hard not to notice these hairs. Dogs can turn away and even paw at their face when they're touched, so they surely serve a purpose. As it turns out, they're actually dogs' whiskers! But why do dogs have whiskers?
These whiskers, or vibrissae, are important for the way dogs sense the world around them. They provide all kinds of sensory information through nerve endings under the skin, but how exactly do they work?

Do all dogs have whiskers?

Read more
Why do dogs hump everything? You might be surprised
Here's what's behind this shocking canine behavior
A brown Vizsla dog's portrait in front of a black background

Every dog owner will be embarrassed by their pup at least once or twice, but nothing compares to the shame of catching your dog in the act of humping. Whether they're going to town on another dog, another person, or even nothing at all, it's easy to understand why you'd want to learn more about this behavior. The sooner you know how to respond to this lewd act, the sooner it can stop.
Questions like, "Why do dogs hump?' and "How can I stop my dog from humping?" will one day be nothing more than a memory. This impolite habit can be unlearned -- though often not as quickly as it's learned -- with some time, redirection, and a few well-timed distractions. Keep on reading to learn more about the humping habit and what you can do to prevent it.

Why do dogs hump other dogs?

Read more
Dog body language decoded: This is why dogs pull their ears back
These feelings could cause your dog to change their ear position
Dog perks his ears up in anticipation

Animals communicate with us in numerous ways by vocalizing, posturing, and moving, to name just a few. When it comes to our dogs, most owners understand what it means when they wag their tails in joy or bark at the delivery person (we're not sure if this is joyful as well). However, fewer pet parents have a clear idea of what different ear positions, like dogs' ears back, are trying to say to us humans and what to look out for.

Learning to decode your pup's feelings from their ears can help you understand your furry friend and give you a good sense of their needs. This is what it can mean when your dog's ears are back.
Why do dogs pull their ears back?

Read more