Hmmm, what’s the last thing we might want to add to this mix right now? I know, a puppy!

There are many studies examining what skills and attributes the habit of taking care of dogs instil in kids.

There’s a famous longitudinal study called the Grant Study, that spans more than 80 years.  It concludes that there are two key things that people need in order to be happy and successful in life.

The first is love.

The second is work ethic.

We will cover the second need first.  It has been said many times before that the best way to encourage kids to develop work ethic during their childhoods is to require them to do chores.  Personally I agree with that and as many of you know, my eldest daughter Lilly takes on a massive role; helping me, not only with chores, but within the business too.  

Love 

When we talk about love, what we really mean is relationships.  As Dr. Robert Waldinger, a Harvard psychiatrist who ran the Harvard Grant Study for years, memorably put it:

The lessons aren’t about wealth or fame or working harder and harder.  The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.

Ok so why dogs?

A study from the University of Western Australia said they analysed data covering 1,646 households over three years, specifically with children aged 2 to 5 and the results found that pre-school children with a family dog were less likely to have conduct problems, peer problems, and had a lower overall difficulties score than children from non-dog-owning families.

How incredible is that?  Not that I need to tell any of you dog owners that.  But this is why Lilly has Tucker.  The bond she has with him and the love they have between them shows.

Rose Cottage

Those who know me, know I am all about family and everything I do is for them.  We are building Rose Cottage together and it is a community.  Not only for my family but our customers are family too.

Bring is back to why love is so important!!

We love what we do and that is why our motto is:

Let Us Love Your Dog As You Do

Our story

This is the first in a series of blogs I will be writing, to tell you all about what we are doing at Rose Cottage, as well as top tips for looking after your dogs.

I’ll be sharing what to feed them, things they may need and how to keep your dog in the best health you can.

Quick recap

Children with dogs wound up with:

• better self-esteem and improved empathy towards peers.
• higher levels of personal responsibility and autonomy than kids without dogs.
• more prosocial behaviours; more prosocial behaviours leads to better relationships, and even love, as an adult.

It’s all about the habits of playing with the dog and helping to take care of it that help your child create skills to be successful and happy.  

Pandemic

I am totally aware we are in a pandemic and this may all sound crazy!!  What with the chaos and the notion of a big portion of our country having to work from home indefinitely will eventually come to an end.