It is difficult to raise and train a puppy in a family with young children. We admire anyone who takes on this challenge!
Our top tips for raising children around puppies and dogs are:
- Supervise
The golden rule is to supervise or separate. No child should be left unsupervised with any dog/puppy.
- Control
Control the way children behave around puppies. Avoid excessive amounts of rough play. Teach children to walk away and ignore the puppy when play gets rough.
- Permission
Kids will copy what adults do, and teach them to always ask someone with a dog if they are allowed to pat the dog. Then get the dog to smell their hand while having a closed fist, then pat the dog underneath the chin, or on the chest.
- Quiet Time
Have a time out area for puppies away from children so they can have some quiet time, but it’s still a fun place to be.
- Training
Once basic training is in place, get your children to be involved in the training also, under adult supervision.