Puppies and kids are a wonderful combination — if the children are educated about and prepared to have a pup. If children don’t know how to properly treat a young dog, one or both may become seriously injured. Here are some tips on how to accustom your children and puppy to one another.
- Read easy-to-understand books about puppy care, safe handling, and dog behavior to your children prior to getting a puppy. Discuss what you have read with your children.
- Demonstrate how to properly handle a young pup by using a stuffed toy dog. Have your children practice with the toy animal.
- Have a family meeting and set the ground rules for bringing up pup. Children need to agree to follow these rules before and after puppy comes home.
- Make puppy his own little home-within-a-home as a safe haven. Involve children in setting-up this space. Pick a warm, comfortable location for puppy’s crate. Place pup’s toys, bowls and bed in this area.
- Keep very young children and puppies separated. ALWAYS supervise small children and puppies. Be sure that older children are treating the puppy appropriately.
- When pup and kids meet for the first time, it should be done in a calm manner. An adult can hold the puppy while children slowly and quietly approach and allow the pup to smell the back of their loosely closed fist. Then they may gently pet him.
- Children must not be allowed to hurt or roughly handle a puppy. Don’t allow them to pinch or poke the puppy or pull pups tail or ears. Be careful not to let them step on or drop the pup, or to squeeze him too tightly. And never tease or torment him.
- Never let a child hit a puppy.
- Puppies may be afraid of squealing, yelling, running stomping children. Keep pup in his space when they are playing, or have them play quiet games when pup is out.
- Children should not play chase with the puppy — regardless of who is chasing whom. They should also refrain from playing dominance-establishing games, such as tug-of-war. Teach children not to stare, bark or growl at pup as part of their play as this may make puppy feel threatened.
- Teach children not to sneak up behind or startle puppy, and, to leave him alone when he is eating, resting or sick.
- Do not make a child responsible for a puppy’s care. When children are old enough, involve them in the puppy’s daily care and overall training.
- Teach children to nurture, love and respect the puppy; teach them by example.
