Most people will have been mid conversation at some point when a beeping phone has interrupted the chat, someone has glanced away to check their social media accounts on their tablet or they just haven't paid attention at all due to game play on the latest console. Technology can have a big impact on family life and it may be a real distraction on a daily basis. You might even find it a struggle to shift your children from the sofa to stretch their legs out at the park in the sunshine but Dogs Trust have now suggested that getting a fluffy companion might be the answer!
Dogs Trust have collaborated with the BAFTA award-winning creative agency Don’t Panic to create the fun video above, which shows that getting a dog can be far more rewarding than technology! Dogs teach children about caring for others while providing responsibility and they really do become a special part of the family, just like our dog Spartan.
The film coincides with the 'Get A Dog' campaign launch to encourage families to adopt a dog and to make the most out of the summer and beyond. The children of today's nation seem to be glued to their mobile phones, or other devices, but a recent survey showed that 42% of families take more exercise due to having a pet which is definitely physically beneficial, especially with obesity on the increase.
Nearly half of the parents questioned said their dog is viewed as their child's best friend and when asked about their own childhoods having a dog while growing up had a positive impact on their childhood.
• 69% of parents surveyed grew up with a dog and of those, 93% believe their family pet enriched their own childhood.
• Of those surveyed who felt their family dog enriched their childhood, 39% said it taught them responsibility.
• Now that they are parents themselves, over half (54%) of those polled who had a pet dog when they were younger now have one for their own children
Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Adrian Burder, comments:
“The summer holidays are a fantastic time to introduce a new dog to your family because the kids are around to enjoy those special first months together. It’s time to put down the iPad and walk away from the Xbox and… get a dog. Dogs Trust has 20 Rehoming Centres across the UK, full of rescue dogs ready and waiting to start making memories with you and your family.”
Spartan |
Dogs Trust has also launched an online campaign at www.dogstrust.org.uk to get the nation opening up their family photo album and sharing their favourite childhood photo moment with their dog online. You can join in with the #GetADog hashtag too.
Have you thought about adopting a dog?
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As a child we always had a dog. I would absolutely love to have one right now...alas my partner and I work full time so we can't get one ��
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame, if I didn't work at home we wouldn't have one either I imagine x
DeleteAww lovely photos. A dog is such a great addition to the family, we would be lost without ours x
ReplyDeleteThey really do become part of the family x
DeleteNothing beats having a family pet! We all love our fur babies Curly and Sasha to bits xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so desperate for a dog, but hubby and I are out at work all day and I just couldn't bring myself to leave the dog at home alone for that amount of time! I'm always so jealous of families with their lovely furry friends!
ReplyDeleteEmma xoxo
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Totally agree :) Just seen the BBC article on Korean dog farms :( so upsetting. Those evacuated have been taken to California, I was watching thinking I would have one!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lovely crossbreed called Belle. She is such a little cutie, she is 1. The kids love taking her long walks
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. My dog is my best excuse to go outside everyday and make time to be slightly more active then I'd usually be. x
ReplyDeleteI've never had a dog, but always had pets. I think it's sad if a childhood doesn't include them, but sometimes it isn't possible.
ReplyDeleteWe always had dogs when I was growing up, and while I don't have any as yet as I just don't have the time to devote to one, it is definitely something we'll be considering in the future. My siblings both have dogs and love them, they're treated like second children by both of them.
ReplyDeleteNicola
I love dogs but I would not be able to take care of him properly as I'm absent a lot but I do have two cats and they are the best choice we have made in terms of animals :) Love them to bits! And when I was back in Poland we always had dogs :)
ReplyDeleteAw I love this post! When we got Piper we didn't realise how much training got into a puppy and thought we'd made a mistake but now she is so much better and part of the family. It's so nice to go for evening walks as well instead of us sat on our phones! xx
ReplyDeleteI have never had a dog as my dad was allergic so we were not aloud pets growing up. I would love to get a one when my children are a bit older xx
ReplyDeleteWe can't have dogs as we live in rented house, but my mum and dad and my brothers all have (big!) dogs, which means we get all the fun of dogs without the responsiblities!
ReplyDeleteDogs are highly sensitive and attuned to their owners needs and they really do help you be healthy.
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Oh I wish we had room for a dog! We had one when I was a kid and he was brilliant, much more fun than a cat!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post we have been thinking about getting a dog as I am at home. But we will see, as it is like having another baby and needs a lot of love and affection so it has to be a complete commitment. I love animals so much, but i would just be worried in case our cat didn't get on with the dog or vice versa.. xx
ReplyDeleteI had dogs my entire life! Then when my stepfather died I adopted a cat and now I have 3 cats and they are the loves of my life!
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We had a cat as children because a dog wasn't practical for looking after. But now we're on the farm, and it's dogs galore. They're brilliant, but I'm not sure I'd want dogs in the house. These are all working ones so have kennels.
ReplyDeleteI had my first dog when I was nine years old and it was the best decision my parents made! :P I used to love going outside with the dog and trying to teach her new tricks (though she wasn't often willing to learn). Introducing a dog into a family is fantastic. If we were allowed to have pets I'd definitely bring my dog up from the family home and have her here but we live in a rental so it's not possible. God I miss my dog! :(
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I have to admit that I am not a dog lover and would never own our own one as they scare me
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE our dog. We never imagine having a dog in our lives, but wish we had done it sooner
ReplyDeleteI would love to adopt a dog, especially for TL but sadly our lease doesn't allow pets :( For now he has his grandad's dog who he loves but if we ever move I'll be looking into adopting a dog for him as soon as I possibly can.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious pooch you have! We have a cat, so defo couldn't get a dog of our own. It's such a big commitment.
ReplyDeleteYour dog is fab, we had a little dog for years when finn was a baby. I would love to get another dog but might wait another few years till they are old enough to share the responsibities. Of course it makes a lot sense that the kids would probably get a lot more exercise and fresh air with a dog
ReplyDeleteGreat campaign. We adopted a westie four years ago and while we've had our ups and downs, she is ours to be loved, and we could never part with her. Def a great exercise inducer also! I sometimes wonder if we didn't take her, where would she have ended up and it makes me sad!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine a life without a dog - they make life so much more fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great campaign. We had two dogs when I live at my parents, one my mum rescued. I'd love a dog again but unfortunately as we rent we're not allowed x
ReplyDeleteI recently visited our local dogs trust and I wanted to take them all home x
ReplyDeleteMy kids love taking my parents dog for a walk, it can be really great fun. Mich x
ReplyDeleteWe have a dog and love taking her out on family walks, just ending up wherever!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big dog person ill admit, for us working full time it wouldn't be far to have a dog alone all day long, maybe when we retire!
ReplyDeleteI can totally see how valid all of this is! Unfortunately I'm scared of dogs, eeek! lol xx
ReplyDeleteIt seems ironic how they've chosen to use media and tech to promote this, however it did make me laugh! Brilliant video.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a dog, always cats but I think a good family pet is important :) Xx
Such a relevant post Emma! POD has been asking for a dog almost every day for weeks. She'll be five on Christmas Day and we're ponding the idea of getting a dog. I grew up with one and have great memories from my childhood x
ReplyDeleteWe are renting so we wouldn't be able to but maybe some day, when we own our own place? I would really love a Labrador, they are so calming and reassuring a presence.xx
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