Puppies and Kids: A Breeder’s Guide to Setting Everyone Up for Success

Advice from a breeder, a mother of three, and someone who knows that raising puppies and children together is wonderful… but occasionally resembles managing a small, furry circus.

Bringing a puppy into a family with children can be one of life’s greatest joys. Watching them grow up together, develop a special bond, and become each other’s favourite companions is something truly precious.

However, as a breeder and a mother of three, I can tell you that a little preparation goes a very long way. Puppies do not arrive knowing the rules of a human household, and children do not automatically understand puppy behaviour. Both need guidance, patience, and a little help from the adults in charge.

Puppies jump. They chase. They explore the world with their mouths, and those little teeth can be surprisingly sharp! When a puppy jumps and nips, a child may squeal, cry, or run away. Unfortunately, this often makes the puppy even more excited, turning the whole encounter into a game of chase-and-bite.

The good news? This cycle can be managed, and both children and puppies can learn to interact safely and happily. Here are eight practical ways I recommend setting your family up for success. A little planning now can make a world of difference later.

1. Get Into the Right Mindset

Let’s begin with the parents.

It can be exhausting to hear, “Mum! The puppy chewed my doll!” followed five minutes later by, “Dad! The puppy knocked me over!” And somehow, these incidents always seem to happen when you are preparing dinner, answering an important message, or finally sitting down with a cup of coffee.

Rather than expecting puppyhood to run smoothly from day one, prepare yourself for a certain amount of chaos. Puppies are babies, after all, and babies are not famous for their excellent decision-making skills.

Expect some jumping, chewing, accidents, and moments when you wonder whether you brought home a puppy or a very small tornado.

This mindset helps you prepare your home, establish routines, and manage interactions before problems develop. The better prepared you are, the fewer unpleasant surprises you are likely to face.

Remember, the goal is not to expect perfect behaviour from a baby puppy. The goal is to teach good habits while preventing situations that are too difficult for the puppy or the children to handle.

2. Teach Your Children How Puppies Think

Parents are not the only ones who need preparation. Children need to understand what their new furry family member is doing and why.

Before coming to live with you, your puppy spent her days playing with her littermates. Puppy play involves chasing, jumping, wrestling, and plenty of mouthing. It is how puppies explore, communicate, and practise their social skills.

Now she has arrived in a home full of exciting little humans. They move quickly, make interesting noises, and sometimes squeal in a way that sounds remarkably similar to an excited puppy.

From your puppy’s perspective, the children may look like excellent new playmates!

Unfortunately, what is fun for a puppy can be frightening or painful for a child. Explaining this difference helps children understand that the puppy is not necessarily being naughty or trying to hurt them. She is behaving like a puppy and needs our help learning the rules of human play.

In our home, I would encourage children to remember these simple phrases:

• “She is just a baby.” She is still learning how to behave.

• “We are her teachers.” It is our job to show her what we want her to do.

• “She is doing normal puppy things.” We need to teach her which behaviours are appropriate around people.

• “I know those teeth hurt, but she probably didn’t mean to hurt you.” Puppies often play with their favourite littermates using their mouths. We need to teach her a gentler, more appropriate way to interact with us.

Of course, understanding these rules once does not mean children will remember them every time. Children need reminders, just as puppies do. Fortunately, neither species expects us to get everything right on the first attempt!

3. Use Gates, Pens, and Crates

If there is one practical investment I would recommend to every family with young children and a new puppy, it is a good selection of barriers and safe spaces.

Baby gates, exercise pens, and crates are not signs of failure. They are tools that make family life easier and safer.

Young children and puppies should not be left to manage their interactions independently. They both need supervision, and an adult must be close enough to actively intervene whenever necessary.

I know some families imagine their new puppy happily entertaining the children while the parents get on with household chores. It is a lovely dream, and one day it may become reality. In the early months, however, that dream usually requires a little more management than expected.

Children need time to learn how to interact appropriately, and puppies need time to develop impulse control. Until those skills are established, unsupervised interactions can quickly turn into jumping, chasing, mouthing, tears, and a great deal of explaining.

Set up your home so that separating the puppy and children is easy. Use gates, pens, a suitable crate, or other safe arrangements that allow everyone to have a break when needed.

When you cannot actively supervise, separate them safely. Do not rely on the puppy to make good decisions or on a young child to recognise when play is becoming too intense.

Think of barriers as your household peacekeepers. They may not receive a Christmas card, but they certainly earn their keep!

4. Buy More Chew Toys. Yes, More.

I am going to make a prediction without even seeing your living room: you probably need more chew toys, or at least better-placed ones.

“But I already have a whole basket of toys!” I hear you say.

Wonderful. But if the basket is on the other side of the room, in a cupboard, or neatly arranged where nobody can reach it quickly, it is not particularly useful when the puppy is enthusiastically greeting your child with her teeth.

The secret is accessibility. Keep suitable puppy toys in the places where children and puppies are most likely to interact. Long, soft toys, braided ropes designed for puppies, and appropriately sized balls can give children a practical way to redirect the puppy’s attention.

When the puppy becomes excited and starts mouthing, an adult can help the child offer a toy instead. This teaches an important lesson: toys are appropriate things to bite; people are not.

Repeat this process consistently. Puppies learn through repetition, and the more opportunities they have to practise the right behaviour, the better.

Of course, toys should be appropriate for your puppy’s age and size, inspected regularly, and used under supervision. Remove anything damaged or small enough to become a choking hazard.

Children will not always remember to grab a toy before approaching the puppy. That is why adults need to make the right choice easy by keeping toys close at hand.

And if you find yourself wondering why there are dog toys in every room of the house, congratulations. You are officially living with a puppy.

5. Establish Clear Rules for the Children

Clear, simple rules help children understand what is expected of them. A family discussion before the puppy arrives is ideal, followed by regular reminders once everyone has settled in.

You may even need a family quiz. Do not be surprised if the puppy remembers the rules before the children do!

Here are the rules I consider especially important.

Let the puppy choose whether to interact.

Your puppy is a living, feeling little animal, not a stuffed toy that can be picked up, carried around, squeezed, hugged, or passed from one child to another.

Teach children to invite interaction rather than force it. They can use a suitable toy, a cheerful voice, or an adult-approved treat to encourage the puppy to approach.

If the puppy walks away, let her go. Respecting her choice teaches children that animals have boundaries, too. It also helps build the foundation for a dog who feels comfortable around children as she grows up.

Use your slow body.

Running, jumping, flapping arms, and sudden movements can encourage a puppy to chase and jump. Teach children to move calmly around the puppy, particularly when she is already excited.

Use your quiet voice.

High-pitched squealing and shouting can increase a puppy’s excitement. An excited puppy may become more likely to jump, chase, or mouth.

A calm voice and steady movements help everyone stay in control.

Sit on the floor when holding a puppy.

In my experience, children love carrying puppies around the house. Unfortunately, puppies rarely appreciate being transported like a favourite teddy bear. A puppy can wriggle unexpectedly, and a fall can cause serious injury. Children can also accidentally frighten a puppy by holding her too tightly or preventing her from moving away. If a puppy is to be held, have an adult supervise and help the child sit securely on the floor, supporting the puppy properly. For very young children, it is often safer to enjoy gentle interaction without picking the puppy up at all.

This is one rule I would not negotiate. A few minutes of cuddling are not worth the risk of a frightened puppy or an injured little body.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Puppies need plenty of sleep for healthy development. They should not be woken up for cuddles, play, photographs, or a quick introduction to Grandma. Teach children that a sleeping puppy is off-duty. If she is resting, leave her alone.

Sometimes a child who is nervous around an energetic puppy may feel comfortable approaching her only when she is asleep. Explain that this is precisely when the puppy needs uninterrupted rest.

And remember: if the puppy moves away at any time, children must respect that choice immediately.

Play fair.

Teasing a puppy by dangling a toy or treat in front of her and repeatedly pulling it away without ever allowing her to have it can create frustration and undermine trust.

Teach children to play games in which the puppy has a fair chance to participate and succeed. A useful family principle is simple: treat the puppy the way you would want someone to treat you.

Respect the crate.

The crate should be the puppy’s safe, quiet, private space. It is a place to rest and feel secure, not a stage for a family performance.

Children must never climb inside, crowd around the entrance, reach in to disturb the puppy, or prevent her from leaving when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

When the puppy is resting in her crate, she is unavailable for play. No negotiations, no visitors, and no tiny fingers poking through the bars!

6. Arrange Puppy Playdates

If you have ever watched a litter of puppies playing together, you know that their idea of entertainment involves an impressive amount of chasing, wrestling, and mouthing.

That is what your puppy has been doing with her littermates. After coming home, she still has the same instinct to play, but suddenly her favourite playmates are gone.

It is hardly surprising that she tries to recruit the children.

Rather than spending every day saying, “No! Stop! Don’t bite! Get down!”, help your puppy find suitable outlets for her natural play behaviour.

A well-matched puppy friend can make an enormous difference. Appropriate play provides an outlet for energy, gives puppies opportunities to practise canine communication, and can help them develop skills for interacting with other dogs.

If you have friendly neighbours or friends with healthy, appropriately vaccinated puppies of a similar size and compatible play style, consider arranging supervised playdates. Choose playmates carefully, and ask your veterinarian about suitable precautions before introducing your puppy to unfamiliar dogs or shared spaces.

Experienced puppy owners will tell you that finding a good puppy friend can make those early months much more enjoyable.

If your schedule allows, a short morning play session in a secure, fenced yard with a suitable puppy friend can be lovely. Another supervised session before the children return from school may also help some puppies settle into the afternoon.

Of course, not everyone has a neighbour with a conveniently available puppy and a matching coffee schedule. Do what works for your family.

The important point is to provide appropriate opportunities for puppy play instead of expecting children to satisfy every one of your puppy’s social and exercise needs.

7. Organise Structured Time Together

Unstructured play between children and puppies can easily become overexciting. Once everyone is running, squealing, jumping, and chasing, it can be difficult to restore calm.

Instead, prepare a few simple activities that give children and puppies a chance to enjoy each other without turning the living room into a wrestling arena.

Here are some of my favourites.

Go for a walk together.

A walk gives the family something to explore together, rather than making the puppy and child the centre of each other’s attention.

Depending on the children’s ages and abilities, they may walk beside an adult, ride a scooter or bicycle where appropriate, or simply help spot interesting things along the way.

The puppy should be handled safely by an adult, using suitable equipment and a leash. Do not let children manage a puppy on their own around roads, unfamiliar dogs, or other potentially unpredictable situations.

Bring treats and reward the puppy when she responds to her name by looking towards you. Children can help deliver rewards under adult guidance.

It is a lovely way to build positive associations and teach the puppy that paying attention to family members is worthwhile.

Play the recall game.

This simple game teaches the puppy that coming when called is rewarding.

Have family members stand or sit in a circle, with an adult helping as needed. One person calls the puppy in a cheerful voice: “Come, come, come!”

When the puppy reaches that person, reward her with a small treat. Then another family member takes a turn.

Even young children may be able to participate with supervision and help. The game teaches the puppy to respond to different family members while making training feel fun.

Keep the game easy and positive. If the puppy is distracted or tired, take a break rather than repeatedly calling when she is unlikely to respond.

Play “Find It!”

This is one of those wonderfully simple games that can be useful in everyday life.

First, an adult teaches the puppy that the words “Find it!” mean a small treat has been tossed onto the ground and is ready to be discovered.

Once the puppy understands, children can join in under supervision. Keep a container of puppy kibble in an appropriate, accessible place, and teach the children to toss a small piece in a safe direction while saying, “Find it!”

The puppy sniffs out the treat, looks back for more, and the game continues.

As the puppy learns, you can ask her to sit before beginning the next round. If she starts jumping or mouthing, pause the game and have an adult help everyone reset calmly before trying again.

This activity gives the puppy something constructive to do and helps children practise interacting without waving their hands around or encouraging chasing.

Make training a family activity.

For children who are old enough and ready to follow instructions, positive-reinforcement training can be a wonderful shared activity.

Teaching a puppy to sit, respond to her name, or come when called can help children feel involved while strengthening the puppy’s relationship with the whole family.

However, adults need to guide the process carefully. If your puppy is just learning “sit,” allowing a child to shout commands repeatedly without rewarding the puppy at the right moment can confuse her and slow her progress.

Some children naturally enjoy telling others what to do. Puppies, however, do not need a tiny drill sergeant!

Explain that we are teachers, not commanders. We reward the behaviour we want, keep sessions short, and make learning enjoyable.

Always supervise children during training and choose activities that match the child’s age, patience, and ability to follow directions.

8. Build a Routine With Plenty of Naps

A predictable daily routine can make a tremendous difference to the way children and puppies interact.

There will be moments when the puppy is too excited, the children are tired, or everyone seems to have forgotten how to behave at the same time. Rather than constantly reacting to these situations, organise the day so that everyone has a better chance of succeeding.

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle is sleep.

Puppies need a great deal of rest, and an overtired puppy may become increasingly excitable, jumpy, and mouthy. Sometimes what looks like a puppy who needs more exercise actually needs a quiet place to sleep.

Young puppies may sleep for roughly 18–20 hours in a 24-hour period, although individual needs vary. Their waking periods should be balanced with plenty of opportunities to rest.

Just like human toddlers, puppies do not always recognise when they need a nap. Some will happily keep going until their behaviour suggests that the little battery has run out completely.

This is where a quiet crate or safe resting area can be invaluable. Choose a comfortable location away from the busiest family activity. If household noise makes settling difficult, gentle background sound or a fan placed safely away from the puppy may help.

Never use rest as punishment. The goal is to create a peaceful place where the puppy can relax without being disturbed.

To establish a routine, begin with your family’s usual schedule and your puppy’s natural rhythms. Plan approximate times for:

• Meals and toilet breaks.

• Walks and age-appropriate exercise.

• Supervised playdates.

• Short indoor training sessions.

• Outdoor games, such as fetch or tug, when appropriate.

• Quiet family interactions.

• Long, uninterrupted naps.

Then observe and adjust.

For example, if your puppy becomes especially wild when the children return from school, consider what might be contributing to the excitement. Would a good nap beforehand help? Would an appropriate walk or a short play session with a suitable puppy friend help her settle?

Every puppy is different, so there is no single schedule that works for every family.

This level of planning will not be necessary forever. As your puppy matures, learns household rules, and develops better self-control, family life usually becomes more flexible.

In the beginning, however, try to arrange interactions for times when both the children and the puppy are rested, calm, and ready to enjoy one another.

It is much easier to teach good habits when everyone is operating with a full battery.

Puppies and Children Really Are a Wonderful Match

By now, you might be thinking, “I thought getting a puppy was supposed to be fun! Why does this sound like managing a nursery with fur?”

Believe me, I understand.

As a breeder and a mother of three, I know that bringing children and a puppy together takes planning, patience, and a fair amount of flexibility. There will be days when you wonder how such a small animal can generate so much activity, noise, and laundry.

But there is a reason so many of us treasure the experience of raising children alongside a dog.

For a child, growing up with a dog can mean having a loyal companion, a playmate, and a friend who is delighted to see them after even the shortest separation. For a puppy, a loving family can provide security, companionship, guidance, and a lifetime of positive experiences.

The bond that develops can be truly special.

The secret is understanding that this relationship does not happen automatically on the day you bring your puppy home. It grows through everyday experiences, clear boundaries, patient teaching, appropriate rest, and respect for each other’s needs.

Your puppy is learning how to live in a human family. Your children are learning how to care for another living being. Both deserve the time and support to get it right.

So, invest in the gates, scatter a few extra chew toys around the house, schedule those naps, and keep the treats handy. Supervise interactions closely, and never expect a young child or puppy to manage a difficult situation alone.

A few months of thoughtful management can lay the foundation for years of friendship.

And one day, when you see your grown dog peacefully resting beside your child, sharing family adventures, or greeting them with that unmistakable look of devotion, you will probably decide that all the preparation was worth it.

Even the toy basket in the hallway.

Even the muddy paw prints.

And, yes, even the coffee you reheated three times before finally getting to drink it.

Because raising children and puppies together is not always effortless, but with the right guidance, it can be one of the most rewarding adventures a family will ever share.