Kids and dogs go hand in hand. At The Perfect Pup, we love seeing kids come in to learn about training their family pet. One of the biggest responsibilities in a child’s life is caring for a pet. Is my child ready to have a dog? This might be one of the most common questions we hear. You must be able to provide the puppy and your child a safe space to learn and grow. Here are some ways to answer the question: is my child ready to have a puppy?
Is my child old enough to have a puppy?
Always remember that a dog is a lifetime responsibility. If your child is six when you get a puppy, that puppy (now a dog) will likely be your responsibility when your child heads off to college. Studies have shown that children between five and ten are capable of taking some responsibility for a pet. You will likely still have to do the lion’s share of the caretaking but children can still help with feeding, training, playing, and walking the puppy. Remember that younger kids also have trouble handling emotions at times and may lash out at the puppy if they get upset. Supervision will be needed at least for the first few years for the puppy and child.
How do I prepare my child for having a puppy?
One of the best things you can teach your child before the puppy comes home is to get into a habit of putting their things away. Puppies can chew things and potentially swallow them. This can be upsetting to the child if one of their favorite toys gets chewed. This resentment can harm the relationship between the puppy and the child in the future. If the puppy ends up swallowing something, it could obstruct their intestines and become life-threatening. Surgery to remove an obstruction can also cost multiple thousands of dollars. It may be wise to invest in some baby gates to keep the puppy out of areas that are unsafe and contain things that you don’t want to be damaged.
What are some rules for children and puppies?
Your child will also need to know how to be respectful to the puppy. Teach them where it is appropriate to touch the puppy as well as what the puppy will do if they are uncomfortable. It is also never a good idea to annoy the puppy when they are eating or sleeping. A good idea is to create an easy-to-follow schedule where the puppy is allowed some time to simply lay down and relax. Your child should also be aware of what to do if the puppy misbehaves. A common behavior in puppies is to nip when they become excited. If the nipping begins to become a common occurrence, have the child learn to step away and stop playing if the puppy becomes too excited.
Will professional training help my child’s puppy?
In short, yes. We see very positive results when children are invited to attend our puppy classes. If your child is able to say that they helped professionally train a puppy, it can boost their confidence. If you and your child’s schedule cannot accommodate our group puppy classes, you may want to consider our new Puppy Play and Train Day Camp or Puppy Daycare. Both offer the training, socialization, and structure puppies need in their early stages of life. We also offer private training for puppies in the home where kids can also get involved.