Making Training Fun: Activities Kids Can Do with the Dog

Consistency is key in dog training. The more you, your spouse, the kids, and any others living in your household are involved and having fun, the better chance you have of everyone following the same rules and carrying out the same methods. Our pet experts have worked with countless families with new dogs. 

When it comes to involving the kids, here are some specific training tips that work well!

Start Simply

Even a child as young as five can learn how to command a dog to sit in exchange for a treat. Be sure to supervise, as a dog and young child shouldn’t be left alone. Plus, you can offer plenty of praise to both of them to encourage continued practice. 

Discourage Jumping...

No one wants a dog that jumps on every family member and houseguest. It’s important to start teaching your dog early that jumping is not an acceptable way to get attention. Children can work with their pup on this part of training from behind the safety of a baby gate or other enclosure. Have your child approach the gate. If the dog jumps up, tell your child to turn their back until the dog settles down. If the dog stays calm or chooses to sit, they can give them a treat. If not, they can repeat the exercise.

...and Biting

Puppy nips can seem adorable at first, but won’t be as your dog gets older. For the first several weeks of a puppy’s life, they are taught restraint, or bite inhibition, by their mother and siblings. Now that your puppy is home with you, your child can reinforce this by making a high-pitched noise, like a yelp, when the puppy bites, and then leaving the play session. This will give the puppy the message that they've gotten too rough. Repeat when necessary, and your pup will soon learn how to play safely.

Will Work for Treats

Kids can get as excited as puppies when the two get together. Throwing treats in the air or across the room for your puppy to chase can seem like a fun game, but it’s not teaching your dog to work for his reward. Instead, show your child the many things they can train the dog to do just by using treats as an incentive. “Sit”, “Down” and "Wait” are good starters.

With the whole family getting in on the action, your puppy’s training days will not only be more fun, they’ll be more effective. If you need guidance on this or any other aspect of those early puppy days, our trainers are always available for a Manners or eManners consult.