All dogs are born with a "pack instinct" that helps them determine where they stand in the social hierarchy. Most dogs don’t really care where they rank – as long as they know what their rank is.
It is imperative that your puppy learn his rank within your family’s "pack" immediately. Once a dog learns his place within the order, he is generally content to maintain that position.
Introducing a puppy to children
Before bringing your puppy home, review with your child what life with a puppy will be like. Tell the child what will be expected of him, keeping his responsibilities age-appropriate (young children can "babysit" the pet, older kids can assist with other tasks). Puppies generate a lot of excitement in kids, and high-pitched, joyful screams and mad dashes around the house will confuse and exhaust the puppy, making it harder for her to feel at home. For the first few weeks, supervise her with the kids so life is calm, positive, and rewarding on both sides.
Puppies and young children
You can establish the child’s position in the family pack by having the child assist with feeding and other tasks that the puppy will associate with his leaders. A young child can offer toys or treats to the puppy, reinforcing the child’s higher ranking in the pack and teaching your puppy to associate the child with a good experience.
Supervise very young children at all times with the puppy and teach
your children to play quietly with the puppy. Over-stimulating a puppy can result in unwanted behaviors, including chasing, jumping and nipping.
Puppies and Older Children
An older child can feed the puppy, establishing her higher place in the pack.
Be sure the kids know to clean up their toys; a dog won’t distinguish between his playthings and the children’s. Until he knows how to "leave it" or "drop it," avoid confrontations and reprimands by making the kids responsible for keeping their things out of the puppy’s grasp.
All children should be taught how to offer the puppy a hand for a friendly sniff or treat. Always place treats and toys in the palm, not in the fingers.
