By Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA, CCBC
Many families eagerly anticipate raising a pet that will become a special friend to their children. Parents often cherish memories of childhood dogs and cats, while those who grew up without pets are excited to finally welcome one into their lives. Few would deny the unique—even mysterious—bond between kids and animals.
Yet many of us recall growing up with pets in a far less hectic world than today’s busy society. Modern families juggle endless responsibilities, requiring Herculean organization. Adding a needy but adorable dog or cat to the mix means extra time and effort in already tight schedules.
Fortunately, society has adapted to help busy families enjoy the rewards of pet ownership. Pet sitters, day cares, training classes, pet-friendly parks, and countless products make raising an animal companion more manageable.
Before taking the plunge, assess your family’s schedule. While children can share some duties, most responsibility will fall on the adults. Planning how to meet the pet’s needs—and whether outside help is necessary—will ensure a smoother transition.
Below is a checklist to prepare for your new pet. Raising an animal companion is a serious commitment requiring time and patience, but preparation will help you reap the long-term benefits. Before bringing your new friend home, ensure your household is ready for the adventure ahead.
- Exercise Needs—Both dogs and cats require exercise. A tired pet is a good pet. Schedule your dog’s exercise to help him relax, and play with your cat at night to help her sleep better.
- Health Care—Both need proper veterinary care. Find a local vet and note the nearest emergency clinic in case of after-hours issues. Early checkups and vaccinations are essential.
- Nutrition—Puppies and kittens under six months need three meals daily. If you work, plan for midday feedings—either coming home or hiring a pet sitter.
- Pet-Proof Your Home—Remove valuables from low tables, secure closets, and pick up floor plants. Pets will play with anything they find, including children’s toys and curtains. Confine young pets when unsupervised until they’re reliable.
- Crate Training & Safe Spaces—Dogs should have a crate for sleeping and short-term confinement—never leave them crated too long. Kittens can be kept in a small room or large cat den. Teach children not to disturb pets in their resting space. Keep the litter box clean for proper house training.
- Outdoor Safety—Secure your yard with a fence or long line. Never leave a dog outside alone—they may chew hazards or escape. Cats are safest indoors; provide a perch for window viewing.
- Car Safety—Never let pets ride loose. Use a crate, carrier, or dog seatbelt. Avoid letting them sit on your lap or stick their head out the window, as debris or sudden stops could injure them.
- Essential Supplies—Dogs need a collar, leash, chew toys, and play toys. Cats need litter boxes, a scratching post, and toys they can bat around.
- Grooming—Both dogs and cats need regular brushing, nail trims, and baths. Keep styptic powder, pet shampoo, and a toothbrush on hand.
Being prepared will make your life a lot easier once the pet arrives.
Many of the behaviors of children and pets are quite similar—both can be somewhat inconsistent as they move from infancy to adolescence to adulthood. Dogs and cats, especially puppies and kittens, need consistency in their lives to function well.
When the basic rules haven’t been established, routinely change or are unclear, the developing pup or kitten is likely to become confused and even unruly. If your pet is left to guess what is expected of him, he will probably do whatever pleases him! Who could blame him?
Don’t let this discourage you from getting a pet—just ensure it’s for the whole family, not just the children. As the parent, you’ll need to establish guidelines to foster a healthy pet-child relationship. When adults commit to early training and involve the whole family in learning consistent care techniques, the rewards will far outweigh any initial doubts.
At home, the key to getting started on the right “paw” is to establish guidelines for both the puppy and the children. Depending on the ages and personalities of both your pet and your child, they will require varying amounts of supervision. It’s too easy for a toddler to fall on or startle a sleeping animal. The animal may growl, snap, bite, swat or scratch your child.
Additionally, an infant’s crib should be off limits to cats. You don’t want cat hair in baby’s bedding or for the infant to be scratched by a startled kitty who could be in the way when a baby suddenly moves or grabs.
Start training early!
Puppies can begin classes as young as 8 weeks. Their brains are fully developed by 7 weeks, so there’s no reason to delay. Waiting until 6 months often means correcting bad habits rather than building good ones from the start.
When looking for a puppy class:
- Choose puppy-only classes (max age 18 weeks). Avoid mixing puppies with adult dogs, especially as pups enter their juvenile stage at 12 weeks.
- Always observe a class first – if they charge for observation, look elsewhere. Watch for happy puppies, engaged owners, and an instructor who connects well with both. The experience should be positive for all.
- Ask key questions upfront: Confirm the trainer uses positive reinforcement (treats/toys) and holds CCPDT certification (ccpdt.com). Always verify their experience level too.
- Trust your instincts – if your puppy seems unhappy or you’re uncomfortable with the instructor’s methods, speak up immediately. Positive early experiences are crucial for your pup’s development.
Rules for Dogs
- Teach the dog to take treats gently and only when told to “take it” on cue. Food in the hands of children is not up for grabs.
- Teach the dog not to place his teeth on children or their clothing. Have appropriate toys and objects available, large enough so the dog doesn’t feel the need to grab at the child’s clothing or limbs.
- Teach both the dog and his human playmates the rules of play and supervise them to be sure they are followed. Use time outs for both when needed.
- Teach the dog to sit politely for treats and petting—no jumping. Getting the children involved in training and attending classes is an asset for the entire family.
- Teach the dog to listen to commands even if children give them.
Rules for Children
Be sure to involve your kids in preparing for the newest family member. Discuss the following guidelines as a family prior to a dog or cat’s arrival and, if need be, have the kids post them around the house as reminders.
- Leave the pet alone when he is eating, sleeping, resting and chewing on a bone. Constant interruptions may irritate the pet, forcing him to reach the point where he tells children (in dog language) to “bug off!”
- Do NOT remove objects from the pet’s mouth. If the pet has something in his mouth, the child should call an adult to remove it.
- Noisy games and running should be outdoor activities—or should take place away from the pet. Running children often excite a dog or cat and make it irresistible for him to give chase, especially if he hasn’t had adequate exercise.
- Do NOT chase after the pet. He may become fearful and suddenly turn and snap or scratch if cornered. Furthermore, this may encourage your puppy to pick up non-pet items to elicit the chase game since it worked before. Chasing a pet teaches him to run faster and farther. You will not want to see this occur in an open soccer field with a busy street nearby.
- Do NOT use the pet as a pillow, step stool, doll or toy. Tackling, roughhousing, wrestling and grabbing are not good play activities. There are lots of special games to learn that will be fun for pets and children.
- Do NOT pick up and carry dogs or cats, unless the child is older and has been given permission by the adult. They can be dropped or hurt if not handled correctly. Little girls tend to carry pets around like dolls, while hugging and kissing them. Most animals are picked up when they are resting simply because the child can get hold of them. Once again, put yourself in the pet’s paws. When you are tired and resting, you would not want to be elevated into the air and smothered.
One final reminder: Always be prepared for those once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. There’s nothing more heartwarming than photos of “best friends” growing up together!
Another resource for kids and dogs is my book, Raising Puppies and Kids Together: A Guide for Parents. The book will help you learn how to meld the playful and protective nature of a puppy, adolescent dog, or adult dog with the curiosity and compulsiveness of a child to create a positive atmosphere for the puppy, the child and the rest of the household. Whether you have children and are preparing to add a dog to the family—or have a dog and are expecting a child—this book will be useful to you and your family!
