Your Pet Guide

When you’ve finally broken down and made the decision to give your kids a puppy, you might need some advice on how to go about giving an adorable four legged creature as a gift. The following steps will guide you in giving a puppy to your kids while also expecting their help in caring for the newest member of your family.


Step 1: Make sure your kids want a puppy. I know, it sounds crazy; don’t all kids want a puppy? Well, not necessarily. Some kids are afraid of dogs and purchasing one for them is not the cure. Make sure your kids have expressed interest in adding a furry member to the family.

Step 2: Think about your motivation for getting your kids a pup. Some parents think it’s a good idea to purchase a puppy if there’s been a loss, such as death in the family or divorce. Those aren’t necessarily great reasons to purchase a puppy. If you’d like a puppy because you think he’d be a great addition to the family and he’d help to teach responsibility to your kids, then your reasons are probably valid.

Step 3: Research many breeds. Consider how much room you have for a dog, what size dog your kids will feel comfortable with, and which breeds will make a good family pet. Ask your vet for recommendations or talk to dog owners to see which breed will be a good fit for your kids.

Step 4: Purchase books about the dog breed that you’ve chosen. If the books are not written at a kid friendly level, make sure you plan to devote the time to read the books together. Your kids will need to be included in the caretaking of your new puppy and it will be up to you to teach them about the responsibilities involved with pet ownership.

Step 5: Adopt the pet you’ve chosen and bring him home to meet your kids. Wrap a big bow around his neck and surprise your kids by ringing the doorbell with puppy in hand. Be prepared to take in the sheer excitement on their faces; you won’t be disappointed.

Step 6: Once all of the excitement has calmed down, invite your kids to think of names for your new pup. Take suggestions from everyone in the family and decide as a family what you should name your newest member.

Step 7: As a family, read the books you purchased about the care of the dog. Together, decide what supplies you need to make your pup comfortable. Have one of your kids make a list of the items you will need to purchase at the pet store.

Step 8: Visit the pet store and make the necessary purchases. By bringing your kids along with you, they will experience the fun of selecting items for their puppy, as well as the experience of realizing the costs associated with owning a puppy.

Step 9: When you return home, have your kids help you create a schedule of chores associated with caring for the puppy. Just because the puppy was a gift to them, it doesn’t mean you will spend all of your days and nights picking up after it! There needs to be a family schedule for feeding the puppy, bathing the puppy and scooping puppy poop!

With all of these steps in place, you and your family will be able to welcome a puppy into your home. Your kids will be excited and surprised at the gift, but they will also learn valuable lessons about responsibility.