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As a mother of two young children and a professional dog trainer, I understand firsthand the challenges of raising a puppy alongside kids. Let me be honest with you: it’s harder than you might anticipate. There will be tears, moments when your kids consider returning the puppy and occasions when you question your decision to bring a puppy into your home. However, I want to reassure you by saying, “You’ve got this!” While it may not always be smooth sailing, I’m confident that by following the tips below, you can create a more enjoyable experience for your family and successfully navigate the puppy stage. Believe me when I say that the incredible bond between a child and their dog makes every effort worthwhile. So, let’s dive into five valuable tips to help you on this exciting journey.

Everything you need to know when getting a new puppy with kids

1. Teach your kids the basics by hosting a fun family “puppy 101” class before bringing your puppy home

It’s important for your children to understand some basic rules for how they should behave around the puppy. For starters, you’ll want to teach them not to hug or squeeze the puppy, not to tease or play rough and not to disturb the puppy while eating or sleeping. Running and shouting should be avoided as well. By setting these boundaries from the start, you create a safe and respectful environment for both the kids and the puppy.

2. Establish a structured daily routine for your puppy and ensure that everyone in the family knows it

Puppies thrive on routine (like some kids!) and having a consistent schedule will help them adjust to their new home quickly. It will also teach them important life skills, such as where to go potty. Involve your kids in the routine so they understand their role in ensuring the puppy gets enough sleep, food, love and enrichment. This shared responsibility will strengthen the bond between your kids and the puppy while also fostering a sense of teamwork.

3. Set rules for playtime and supervise them closely

Kids and puppies both have a strong desire to play together, but their styles of play can be quite different. Puppies, especially during their play-biting developmental stage (which lasts until about 16 weeks of age), tend to use their teeth. To minimize play-biting incidents and prevent tears, you’ll need to supervise playtime closely. Keep treats in your pockets and provide your kids with appropriate activities to engage with the puppy. For example, blowing bubbles or setting up a treat scavenger hunt are great kid-and-puppy-friendly activities. Make sure playtime doesn’t involve running, jumping, shouting or wrestling. If things get out of hand and your puppy starts biting and jumping on your kids, instruct them to stand still like a tree while you toss a handful of treats on the floor. This redirection will immediately stop the biting and divert your puppy’s attention to finding the treats.

4. Give your kids a role in raising their puppy, so they feel involved in the process 

Assign your kids specific responsibilities that make them feel like important members of the puppy-raising team. For example, they could be the field trip organizers and come up with a list of places to take the puppy for socialization. They could also act as socialization observers, noting down the puppy’s behavior during different social experiences. Another role could be the enrichment games leader, responsible for setting up activities like snuffle mats, scavenger hunts and puzzle toys. They can even help fill rubber toys with food. By giving them these roles, you empower your kids and create a sense of ownership in the puppy’s upbringing.

5. Set realistic expectations for your kids and educate them about puppy behavior 

Let them know that puppies play by biting, not to hurt them, but as a natural part of their play. Teach them that their puppy will make mistakes, just like they do when learning, and it’s their role to guide and teach the puppy.

As both a mother and a professional trainer, I can assure you that having a family dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Like anything worthwhile in life, it may require some effort and dedication to make it a success. However, I encourage you to stick with it, because the rewards will be well worth it for every member of your family. The joy, love and companionship that a family dog brings into your home are truly priceless. So, embrace the journey, put in the work and watch as your family is rewarded with a lifelong bond and countless precious memories. 

This story is a part of The Motherly Collective contributor network where we showcase the stories, experiences and advice from brands, writers and experts who want to share their perspective with our community. We believe that there is no single story of motherhood, and that every mother's journey is unique. By amplifying each mother's experience and offering expert-driven content, we can support, inform and inspire each other on this incredible journey. If you're interested in contributing to The Motherly Collective please click here.