Kids & Puppies: How to Mix Playtime With Obedience Training

Submitted By:Kelly Marshall

Puppies are just like kits in a variety of ways. They need continuous care, supervision, and a lot of love. Having both together, your kids and your dog, especially during playtime, require constant supervision and a lot of patience. Just how you have to teach your kid how to play with the puppy, its imperative for the puppy to understand that he needs to listen to the kid the same way he listens to you and the other adults in the family.

Always Use The Exact Commands

It is imperative for your kids to use the same commands that you and the rest of the family use. Doing so teaches your kid to use the commands with respect toward the dog. In addition, your puppy will recognize that he needs to be obedient to the kid’s commands, thus teaches both to respect one another.

It sounds like it can be a hassle, but it is also a lot of fun. Mixing training and playtime helps to create a closer bond between your kids and your puppy. Allow them run together and then see how fast your kid can command the dog to stop and sit. The dog also has to learn to sit and wait while your kid to throw a toy for your puppy to retrieve. Your kid can also be involved in training the dog how to roll over by rolling in the grass while having the puppy mimic him.

There are a variety of ways you can add in training and fun between your kid and puppy. The following are a few helpful rules to keep in mind:

• Set up consistency through repetition. Your kid needs to understand that commands that we teach your puppy should be firm and absolute. If your dog doesn’t obey the command, the kid should repeat the command until the he does what he is told to do.

• Never squeeze - hugging your puppy too tight can cause injury.

• Make sure that you are always be there to supervise playtime, especially if you have a young kid and/or you have a new puppy. This will allow you to easily intercede if things get out of hand.

• Your puppy should understand who the leader is. If your puppy has an instinct to herd, don’t let him herd your kid. This will make the dog think that he is in charge and will not obey your kid’s commands.

• Never allow roughhousing at all. Always discourage violent play at all times. Never allow your kid drag, pull, wrestle, hit, or poke the puppy, even in a playful way. Your puppy may react in a different way and may jump up and bite. Also, never let your puppy jump on your kid. A five year old German Shepherd can easily knock down a six year old kid.

• Teach your kid to respect the dog, and vice versa. Your kid should learn the right way to treat your puppy, which will actually earn him/her respect and leadership from your puppy.