I’ll never forget the mom who came up to me after a Behavior Modification class and asked, “How can I get my dog to let my children hug and hold him?” My first reaction was, “What?! Your puppy isn’t a stuffed animal—he’s a living creature with feelings and boundaries!”
Too often, families bring home a puppy “for the kids,” expecting the children to take full responsibility. While that sounds great in theory, the reality is that kids grow up, get busy, and move on to other interests. If you’re the parent, understand this: the puppy is yours. You’re the safety net.
The “Puppy Time” Method
During the chaos of 2020, I came up with a method I call Puppy Time. It’s a structured way to teach kids how to interact with a puppy while keeping everyone sane.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose a time each day (say 10:00 AM) to focus on the puppy.
- Limit it to about 15 minutes. That’s usually a child’s attention span.
- Use that time to teach gentle petting, basic commands, clean-up, walking, or grooming.
- Rotate turns between kids, and always end on time—no matter what.
This simple system keeps the puppy from getting overwhelmed, teaches kids consistency and respect, and gives you a predictable rhythm to the day.
Puppies Deserve Respect
One of the most important things your children need to learn is that puppies are not rough-and-tumble playmates. When kids play too roughly, the puppy starts treating them like littermates—which leads to biting, chasing, and trouble down the road.
If your child needs a cuddle and the puppy’s not in the mood? Hand them a stuffed animal instead.
With a little structure and a lot of patience, your kids can become kind, responsible dog owners—and your puppy will grow up feeling safe, loved, and understood.