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![Picking the right dog for your family takes some thought.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/y/r/x/7/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2yrs6.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
How to choose the right dog for your family
If you are about to give in to all the begging and pleading and buy a family dog, make sure you research which dog will best suit your family.
![Partners in crime ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/q/y/p/4/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2qymt.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
Keeping a pet-friendly home clean
Like our human kids the furry ones are awesome at making a mess but Victoria Birch has mastered the mess with these sanity saving tips.
![pet](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/1/c/t/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.21ctb.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
![EB blogger Ghania Dib](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/a/6/r/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.bg5q.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
![Take your time when choosing a family pet and you'll have a friend for life.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/h/o/h/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.1140fw.gjzqwg.png/1444343240970.jpg)
![What bugs can you catch from your pets?](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/2/o/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.ghpbwd.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
Latest
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/3/0/g/j/image.related.landscape.300x200.h130s3.png/1532314507552.jpg)
Confirmed: people who talk to dogs are not barking mad
Research confirms talking to your dog is a good thing.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/2/q/s/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.h12qsh.png/1531712938644.jpg)
Six reasons you should not get a dog - and one reason you should
It's a lot to consider!
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/0/x/a/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.h10x8d.png/1528122450784.jpg)
Is your dog happy? 10 common misconceptions about dog behaviour
People often misunderstand what dogs need and how they communicate with us.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/z/k/t/l/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0zkkq.png/1525309935481.jpg)
City kids grow into more stressed adults than those raised in the country
Are urban environments making many of us more fragile?
![Cats have become such a part of the family, they are given monikers from the top 100 baby names list.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/v/o/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4z8kt.png/1523834398537.jpg)
Cats and dogs are so ingrained in the family that they're taking our names
While some pets have been named after hot sauce, celebrities and designer shoes, others get their moniker from the top baby names list.
![Not the ideal present from Santa.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/u/x/d/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gzuxhc.png/1511922746260.jpg)
Why a puppy for Christmas is not a good gift idea
Animal experts recommend against giving kids a pet as a present from Santa.
![Photo: boltandkeel/Instagram](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/6/u/z/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.gz6uyv.png/1511229873034.jpg)
Meet Bolt and Keel, rescue cats turned adventure cats
If you thought cats didn't like travel, then you need to meet these guys.
![Losing a pet is devastating.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/4/o/e/c/image.related.landscape.300x200.gz4o6s.png/1508466150747.jpg)
Should kids have the day off school for the death of a pet?
Parents online have been debating this question.
![Pets are part of the family more than ever.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/k/6/c/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gyk6dj.png/1505789396712.jpg)
One in five dog owners kiss their pooch on the lips
Over a quarter said they confided in their pets about their personal problems.
![Sharing a pet together can teach couples a lot about their compatibility as future spouses.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/g/o/b/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gyenra.png/1505430864460.jpg)
'I'm taking the dog': When couples with pets break up
Sharing a pet together is a big move, and it can be tricky if the relationship doesn't go the distance.
![Dogs in the bedroom can be good for sleep.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181209035712im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/f/m/k/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.gyfmas.png/1505190224656.jpg)
Why you should let your dog sleep in your bedroom
Dogs everywhere agree.
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