kids play with puppy

kids play with puppy
Introducing a new puppy, especially to toddlers, should be done with care to avoid injury to either your children or the puppy. Once they start walking, toddlers can become more interesting—and challenging—for your puppy.

While young children may mean no harm, depending on their age, they may treat your puppy like a stuffed toy by poking eyes, pulling fur, chasing or trying to hug or kiss the dog. A frightened or injured pup instinctively may respond by biting and growling.

Before allowing it near a dog, ask a toddler to practice petting a stuffed toy or the child’s own arm or head. Young kids should be taught that dogs aren’t stuffed animals, and can be hurt and lash out from pulled tails or ears.