Puppy raising
How to raise a puppy with kids
A puppy and a household of children can grow up into a lovely pairing, but it rarely happens by accident. Kids move fast, squeal, and drop crackers. Puppies mouth, zoom, and misread small hands as toys. The job for the adults is to set rules for both sides, watch closely, and keep training firmly in grown-up hands while everyone learns the same household manners.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Safety comes first
Set up the house before anyone plays.
Put a baby gate across one quiet room and make it the puppy's retreat, with a crate, water and a chew. Children do not go past that gate, ever, and that includes reaching through it. When no adult is actively watching, the puppy is crated or behind the gate. Passive supervision, like a parent cooking with their back turned, does not count. Early scuffles tend to start in those unwatched minutes.
Kids get their own short list of rules: no chasing the puppy, no picking it up, no hugging, and no waking it from sleep. If the puppy mouths a sleeve or a hand, the child freezes, folds their arms and calls an adult, who calmly moves the puppy away to a chew. Nobody is asked to stand still while a puppy grabs. Children do not run training drills or test the puppy either.
- Gated retreat children never enter
- Crate when nobody watches closely
- No chasing, lifting or hugging
- Adults handle every training rep
Rules for the puppy
Teach the puppy calm habits around busy kids.
The no-chase rule cuts both ways. Kids do not chase the puppy, and the puppy is never allowed to chase running children. Keep a light leash on the puppy indoors during busy times so an adult can calmly redirect it to a place bed. Reward four paws on the floor, settling on the mat, and choosing a chew over a toddler's sock. Many puppies learn these rules faster than the children do.
Watch for the quiet signals before trouble: lip licking, turning away, freezing, or hiding under the table when the kids get loud. Any growl, snap, or guarding of toys around children is information, not defiance, so separate everyone and never punish it. Book a vet visit first, since discomfort can make a puppy short-tempered, then get a professional assessment. Private Training ($150 + GST per session) builds a written plan around your actual household.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
how do I stop my puppy chasing my kids
Prevent the chase from happening by keeping the puppy on a light leash or behind a gate whenever kids are running. An adult redirects the puppy to a place bed and rewards it for settling. Kids also never chase the puppy, so the game never gets started.
should my kids help train the new puppy
Training is a job for adults. Children can follow household rules, like no chasing and no waking the puppy, but they should not run drills or test the puppy's manners. That keeps both the child and the puppy safe while habits form.
puppy nipping my toddler what do I do
Separate them right away and have an adult move the puppy to its gated area with a chew. Nobody should be asked to tolerate mouthing. If nipping is hard, frequent, or comes with stiffening or growling, see a vet and then book a professional assessment.
can a puppy and kids be left alone together
No. When an adult is not actively watching, the puppy goes in its crate or behind a baby gate. Even a few unwatched minutes is when trouble tends to start.
Keep reading
Plan your family's puppy rules
Book a consultation and we will help you set household rules, supervision and training that fit your kids and your puppy.
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