Puppies and children go together like peanut butter and jelly. Few images are as sweet as a child playing with their first pup. The bond formed early is a bond forever.
However, it’s important to make sure your child and your family are ready for a puppy. Young children,
especially, should be taught puppy etiquette; how to play safely and the responsibility of caring for their
pet.
3 Tips on Best Introduction Practices
As in life, there are rules in place for your safety and that of the animals. So, we thought we’d drill down
to the top three best practices to keep in mind when introducing your young child to their first puppy.
- Wait until the excitement dies down. Nervous excitement causes us not to heed dangerous
- situations. Once you’re satisfied the situation is under your control, then
- Show your child the proper way to give affection.
- Don’t be afraid to say “No.” if the situation appears unsafe for the puppy (or the child), explain the puppy is still in training and can’t be pet, yet.
Puppies and young children should never be left alone together without adult supervision. Set some
ground rules for off-limits play.
What to Watch For
Watch for signs of rough play, like pulling the puppy’s ears or tail. Correct or redirect your child’s energy
and observe the puppy’s body language. Assess when your puppy may need to rest and has had enough
playtime.
Just like your child may need a nap during the day, so too, does a puppy. We all need our rest, especially
those of us with an overabundance of energy like a child or puppy.
Tips for Your Family’s Health
Children are more vulnerable than grown-ups to the illnesses that pets can carry. Here are some helpful tips to avoid risks to your family’s health.
- Ensure your puppy sees a vet regularly.
- Have everyone wash their hands before and after playtime.
- Do not allow playtime around or near the areas where the puppy or dog relieves himself. And don’t forget to pick up after your dog both in your own yard and when on walks. This ensures not only the health of your family, but that of your community as well.
Remember. A dog’s personality is influenced by a variety of factors including line, breeder, and owner. Think of it as the puppy version of “nature vs. nurture.”
Bringing a new puppy into your family adds a layer of love and loyalty difficult to imagine. After all…
“Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like. Afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way.” – Caroline Knapp
Want to learn more or interested in purchasing a puppy? Check out our available puppies or call us at (330) 275-6913 for details. We look forward to meeting you!