My Hunting Dog Training Blog

One of the most important parts of raising a well-rounded and confident puppy is proper socialization. Mixing puppies and children are a great recipe for success in the socializing process. First of all, a child can replace the void of the littermates that are left behind when puppy goes off to his new home. This helps to minimize the trauma of the new surroundings and pack that the new puppy is thrown into. Kids love puppies and most puppies love to run and play with kids. However, it is important to lay down some ground rules with your socialization team to make sure that it's a positive experience for both the puppy and your children or grandchildren.

First off, I like to establish the basic rule that only adults are allowed to pick up the puppy. Children can drop a puppy and cause injuries to a wiggly little puppy. If my kids want to hold the puppy, they have to sit on the ground. This minimizes the chances of anything bad happening to puppy. Second, I think it is important to teach the kids the basic commands so they don't confuse puppy by shouting random or different commands. Last, the most important thing is that the puppy and the children both have a good time. It's easy to tell when they've had enough. Make sure these play sessions are short and sweet.