• Enroll your puppy in a group training class to teach him proper socialization skills and house manners.
• Don’t allow the puppy to have free reign of the house. Puppies don’t require 2,000 sq ft of play space. Instead, utilize an exercise pen to keep your dog and safe and out of trouble.
• Supervise all play and interaction between the puppy and your child. Dogs tend to be very curious, and it is up to you to prevent any accidents. Make sure you set boundaries for the puppy and the child and stay consistent.
• Don’t allow the pup to mouth or nip you or your child. Use a sharp quick noise (similar to a yelp) to teach the dog when he has nipped too hard.
• Teach your children to be gentle with the dog. You shouldn’t allow kids to pull the dog’s tail, pull his fur, or hit the dog.
• Don’t get your dog overly excited around your children. Rough housing, running, jumping, and wrestling with your puppy should not be allowed.
• Allow your children to help with the responsibilities of taking care of the dog. They can help measure the dog’s food at meal time, fill the water bowl with fresh water, and learn to walk the dog. Kids can also help give the dog a bath or brush the dog’s coat for healthy skin.
Setting boundaries for your dog is one of the most important aspects of owning a dog. By following these tools and getting your children to participate in taking care of the dog introductions and the settling in period should be a breeze. Now is a good time to start looking into an obedience class!
Good Luck!
Tori Hankey, CPDT-KA
