Just a few years ago, 89.7 million dogs lived in the United States — and that number has likely gone up since then. From the moment you adopt a new puppy, he becomes a member of your family for the rest of his life. 

Watching your dog grow up alongside your children as they play together is adorable. As they get older, though, kids can take on responsibilities to help with the family dog, allowing them to bond more closely with him in the process. 

Depending on the ages of your children, you might find that some tasks are better suited for you or your partner. Dogs can be demanding and unpredictable — just like kids — so it’s essential to supervise your children with animals while they’re still young. A child who loves their dog will likely jump at the chance to help out with responsibilities however they can.

1. Feeding the Puppy 

Perhaps the responsibility with the least amount of effort and best suited for younger kids is the task of feeding your puppy and providing her with clean water. Younger children can measure out the proper amount of food with your help, whereas older kids should be able to feed their puppy dinner and refill her water without being asked to. 

No matter who has the task of feeding your puppy, remind them of how much and how often she gets fed. Different stages of life require various feeding routines and even types of food, so regulating her diet within the first year or so of her life is crucial.

2. Walking the Puppy 

Though it can eat into free time, walking your puppy could be a nice activity for the whole family if children aren’t old enough to walk around the neighborhood independently. Getting daily exercise is excellent for your puppy and your children — after all, both canines and humans need to use their muscles and keep themselves in shape to have a happy and healthy life. 

A 30-minute walk is a great place to start a healthy habit. Since puppies won’t have as much endurance, walking for a half-hour should be enough to keep them satisfied for a while. You can slowly increase the duration of your walks and optimize them to your puppy’s age and breed until your children and you are comfortable with the amount of time and length of your walks. Your pup should be happy, too.

3. Socializing the Puppy 

Puppies need to learn how to behave themselves around others, especially if you have additional pets or plan to obtain more in the future. Socializing your puppy means exposing her to other dogs and showing her how to play correctly. Some dogs snap and growl when they play with puppies. Keep an eye on them, but remember that it’s normal, and it teaches your pup boundaries. 

The best place to socialize your puppy is at a dog park. If your child is old enough to drive, they can take him there on their own and spend a day out in the fresh air. With all the pups running around and the opportunity to meet other animal lovers, going to the dog park hardly feels like a chore.

4. Training the Puppy 

If your family brought home a very young puppy, he might not be fully potty trained yet. An older child would be the perfect recipient of this responsibility. Potty training can be easy as long as you have the right materials, such as puppy pads, and execute positive reinforcement when the puppy uses one or goes to the bathroom on a walk or outdoors. 

Your child may have to deal with some behavioral problems, too. Part of training is teaching your puppy how to respond to certain situations without aggression. For example, your pup might snap at you or try to bite your fingers playfully. Your child should teach them that hands are not toys by mimicking the cry of a hurt puppy. Eventually, she will begin to associate biting hard with a negative response. 

Behavioral issues are easy to tackle the younger your puppy is, so have your family jump on repetitive, effective training as soon as your new dog can focus on you or your child without getting distracted.

5. Setting up Appointments for The Puppy 

A child who is shy on the phone may benefit from some encouragement to call and schedule appointments for your new puppy. This task is better suited for older children — otherwise, you can have your child help you take your puppy to her sessions. 

Scheduling veterinary and grooming appointments can teach your child how to set up their own in the future. The more practice your children get with setting sessions for your pup on the phone, the more confident they’ll feel.

Teaching Your Kids Through a Puppy 

Your kids can teach your family dog many cool tricks and exciting commands, but your puppy can also teach your growing human valuable life lessons. She communicates her boundaries in her own way, which children will learn firsthand how to respect. A puppy can teach your children about love, empathy and loss. For the short time they’re around, dogs can change lives and leave a lasting impact on the family they’ve joined.