How to Involve Your Children in Training Your New Puppy

by | Oct 14, 2024

Puppy training with children

Introducing a new puppy to your home is an exciting experience for the whole family, including your children.   These are my thoughts on ‘How to involve your children in training your new puppy’.

Involving your kids in the training process can be beneficial for both your new puppy and your children, which helps to foster responsibility, patience, and compassion.

Let’s start with the age at which children can start helping with puppy training largely depends on their maturity and ability to follow instructions.  Generally, children as young as 5 or 6 can begin with simple tasks under supervision.  Younger children can participate in basic activities like filling the water bowl or gently petting the puppy, while older children can handle more responsibilities.

Be aware that suggesting age-appropriate tasks for your children is another key to a smooth training process.

Thoughts about young Children (say 5-7 years) can help with basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” help with feeding, and playing gently with the puppy.

Older Children (say 8-12 years) can take on more advanced training tasks like helping with leash training, and they can participate in the daily exercise routines with the puppy.

Puppy training with children featured

What about teens?  They can handle almost all aspects of training, including obedience training, toilet training, and regular walks.

A question to think about…Should the puppy sleep on their bed?

Deciding whether the puppy should sleep on your child’s bed is a personal choice.  While it can be comforting for both the child and the puppy, it’s important to establish boundaries.  Puppies can be restless during the night and may interrupt your child’s sleep.  It may be a better thought to have your puppy sleep in a crate nearby initially, and gradually allow them on the bed as they grow older and more settled.  Up to you!

As for walking your puppy, I would prefer that children should be at least 12 years old before they take the puppy for a walk alone.  Younger children can accompany an adult on walks to learn leash handling and safety.  Walking a puppy requires strength and control, especially when encountering distractions or other dogs, which younger children may not yet be able to handle.

We also need to consider that supervision is crucial when children are training a new puppy.  An adult should always be present to guide both the child and the puppy making sure that any training technique needs to be the same with all family members.

This makes sure that training is consistent and prevents any accidental reinforcement of bad behaviour.  Supervising also helps in teaching children the preferred way to interact with your puppy and promotes a positive training environment.

Remember that puppies have short attention spans, so it’s best to keep training sessions short and frequent.  Children can train the puppy 2-3 times a day, with each session lasting around 5 minutes. This approach keeps the puppy engaged and prevents frustration for both your puppy and your child.

Teaching children to be calm and patient with their puppies is essential.

Here are some tips:Set an Example:  Children often mimic adult behaviour, so demonstrate calmness and patience yourself.
Explain Puppy Behaviour:  Help children understand that puppies are like babies and need gentle handling.
Practice Calm Interactions:  Encourage children to speak softly and move slowly and calmly around the puppy.
Reward Calm Behaviour:  Praise and reward both your child and your puppy when they interact calmly.

Your children can help with feeding your puppy, which can be a rewarding responsibility.  Younger children can scoop kibble into the bowl under supervision, while older children can take on more tasks like preparing food and cleaning the feeding area.  I am not sure they will like the cleaning part! Help your children understand it is better not to disturb your puppy while it is eating, to prevent food aggression.

Remember, patience and consistency are both key in raising children and training puppies, and involving your children in training a new puppy can be a positive bonding experience for all of your family.

Until next time!

Spread the love
Transform your pup’s behavior with positive reinforcement! Enroll now and see the difference!

With Love, Success and Inspiration,

Robin Oliver

Robin Oliver Pet Dog Training
Professional Dog Trainer

APDT Logo_RobinOliver