Young Children and Puppies

I remember as a child picking out my very own puppy and each of my children and grandchildren have had the same experience.  Puppies and children just seem to go along naturally and I believe can be one of the healthiest and happiest relationship a child can have.  It is certainly true for adults as well. 

The relationship needs some help for children to have the best possible outcome for them and the pup.  This is where a little guidance comes into play from mom or dad.  Pets are one of the best starting points for good manners and social graces.  One might say it's where we really first learn to be a friend.  

A well known adage "Treat others like you would want to be treated"  comes into play with puppies.  Start with don't pull anything  from tails to ears or legs.  Don't grab but gently get the hands in the right place to lift a pup and pick up or sit when holding a pup.  Share.  Handle with care. Hugs and kisses are O.K. but not too much.  Praises with good behavior and no spanks for babies but find something else suitable to correct the situation.  Everybody needs some space now and then.  Being playful includes learning what is not alright and what is mean or cruel.  No bullies.

Taking care of one another is the most important element and all that it means.  Little children can certainly understand age appropriate guidelines here but it is really the parents' responsibility to oversee  and enforce all good things to have a healthy and happy relationship in the family between these two children of different species. 

 Some things need to be addressed BEFORE seeing the puppy to help the child and pup get off to a good start.  Child and pup need help to learn gentle behavior, limitations, respect and of time out can simply be a time of reward or rest as well as break time.  Here are some basics to remember:

1.  Puppies are not! babysitters

2.  Never leave a puppy and a young child alone - never

3. Before you take your child to visit with a puppy go over some basics such as how to hold a puppy, sitting (only) with a puppy, do not move around while the puppy may be on the floor ( to avoid accidents)/sit still until the puppy is being held or in a safe place

4.  A good relationship is like  pyramid: built one step at a time.  Pyramids were not built overnight.  A child and pup need to have good things encouraged and bad things re-directed or educated according to age appropriateness.

5.  No yelling, pushing, biting, hitting, etc.


6.  Playtime is a good time to encourage no bullying, teasing or overly rough play. 


7.  Toys should be safe and any left on the floor are the puppy's.


8.  Time out can be a punishment but it can also be a reward for a rest after a job well done.  Playtime should last 1/3 as long as naptime or rest time for Toy breeds like Havanese.

9.  Accidents happen.  Forgiveness can be a greater a lesson than any punishment.  The real lesson is knowing the right choice for young puppies.                                 

 A word can be just as stern, too.

10.  Mary Poppins had it right with a little sweetness to encouraged conquering sour things that need to be done.

Puppies and families should be long term relationships.  Loving a pet is one of the first loves of a child's life past family and can be one of the richest memories.  Learning  and practicing all the good things in a healthy relationship for children helps to reinforce these things later for them within their own species and for life.  In my house 'species' is a lot like ADD, it's just a different way of looking at something but the love is basic.  Teach and share the basics with your child and his/her pet one brick at a time.