When you have young children, bringing a new puppy into the home adds an extra layer of fun and responsibility. Kids and puppies can form incredible bonds, but setting everyone up for success means being prepared.

Cut back on the chaos by being prepared with these puppy and kid essentials.

🐶 New Puppy Essentials: The Basics

Before you even bring your puppy home, make sure these core items are ready:

A Crate

Crates help with potty training and give your pup a cozy safe space.

Young puppies need a lot of sleep (and if they don’t get enough, the puppy biting gets worse). Crates give them a spot to nap. Just make sure your kiddos know to leave the puppy alone when she’s in her crate!

Food & Water Bowls

Stainless steel or ceramic are easy to clean and more hygienic than plastic.

In a busy household, anti-spill dog bowls can be a life saver, since puppies are known for

High-Quality Puppy Food

Choose a vet-recommended brand suitable for your pup’s breed and age. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian early on.

Collar, Harness, & ID Tag

Opt for an adjustable collar that will fit your puppy as he grows, and use a harness for walks.

Harnesses can prevent neck injuries in small dogs and young puppies. Your puppy’s harness should be Y-shaped in the front to keep your pup from slipping out of it, and to let their legs and joints move normally.

Add an ID tag with your contact info ASAP, before your kids accidentally let the puppy out the front door! If this is a frequent concern, you can get a tracking tag or collar.

Microchip

Essential for long-term safety. Ask your vet to microchip your puppy and register the information.

Enzymatic Cleaner

Expect accidents! Even if your puppy was “potty trained” before you got her, she’s still learning.

Accidents are part of the process. Have a good cleaner to remove odors so your pup doesn’t revisit the same spot.

🧸 New Puppy Essentials When You Have Kids

Kids bring a whole different dynamic to new puppy prep. Here’s what you need to help both grow together safely and happily:

Playpens, Gates, and Safe Zones for Puppy & Kids

Playpens and gates are essential safety tools when you have a new puppy and kids. Even though they make great playmates, puppies and kids need space from each other.

Using gates properly can help you manage these common kid/puppy scenarios:

• Puppies bite kids
• Kids can get puppies over excited or stressed out
• Puppies chew on and destroy kid’s toys
• Kids teach puppies inappropriate ways to interact

Think about the types of spaces your home will need with a puppy and kids.

Puppy-Free Zones for Kids

Create areas where your puppy isn’t allowed. This gives your kids a chance to get away from the puppy biting, and also guarantees a spot where they can play with toys (without the puppy stealing them).

The bedroom, nursery, playroom, or your child’s homework zone can be good puppy-free zones.

Discuss the rules for these spots as a family. Make sure you decide how you will keep the puppy out of these areas.

Kid-Free Zones for Puppy

Give your puppy a place to play, sleep, and eat undisturbed. This should be a puppy-proof area where you can safely leave the puppy.

Having a spot for the puppy means you can get things done without worrying about supervising the puppy. A kid-free spot can help your puppy learn to relax and make good choices in the home

Teach kids to leave the puppy alone during naps and meals.

Training Tools (for Everyone!)

Clicker & Treats

Clicker training is easy for kids to learn and can help them bond with the puppy. Not only that, training can be a great way to wear your puppy out!

Let the kids use low calorie training treats like your puppies food or even Cheerios.

Books or Videos About Dog Behavior

Get age-appropriate resources to teach your kids about dogs. I like this picture book about the ways that dogs communicate and how to read their body language.

Basic Commands Poster

Make a fun “Puppy Command Center” with key words everyone uses. Consistency is key for training! Here are the ones you should teach first:

• Potty – Say this right as your puppy starts to go potty outside
• Your puppy’s name – Only use your puppy’s name positively, and don’t overuse it when you are teaching it to them
• Pup-pup-pup – Use this to get your puppy’s attention and call them (instead of their name). This can help you to keep your puppy’s name special
• Sit – Get your kids involved in teaching your puppy to sit before everything (it’s like saying “please” for puppies)

🧹 Cleanliness & Safety Supplies

Chew Toys & Teething Aids

Your puppy will go through a lot of toys in the first year.

Keep your pup’s teeth on their toys, not on little fingers or furniture. Rotate toys to keep them interesting.

Here are some tips for choosing the best toys for kids and puppies.

First Aid Kit (Pet + Human)

Stock a first aid kit that covers bumps, bites (just in case), and minor scrapes for both your kids and your puppy.

Make sure to talk to your kids about what to do when the puppy bites them (it will happen). Check out this post if you are concerned about the puppy biting.

Vacuum & Lint Rollers

Fur happens, especially as your puppy gets older. If you have little ones who are crawling and putting everything in their mouth, use a playpen to make a relatively fur-free spot.

Stay ahead of the mess with easy clean-up tools.

🧡 Extras to Build the Bond

Puppy Journal or Chart

Let your kids help track feeding, potty times, and new tricks learned. It’s a great way to teach responsibility!

“Puppy Rules” Family Meeting

Set ground rules for safety. Post them somewhere visible. Here are a few good rules to get you started:

• No chasing the puppy (it can teach puppies to run away from people)
• Leave sleeping puppies alone
• Don’t take things from the puppy (you can trade with the puppy instead)

Photos & Keepsakes

Take lots of pics! This season flies by fast. It could be fun to give your kids a special camera or scrapbook to document the puppy’s first year!

Final Tips for a Smooth Start with a New Puppy

• Supervise all interactions between young kids and your puppy.
• Give both your puppy and children time to adjust.
• Be patient! Mistakes will happen, but they’re part of the journey.

Raising a puppy with kids in the mix can be loud, messy, and occasionally overwhelming. But with the right essentials — and a whole lot of love — it can also be one of the most joyful adventures your family ever takes.

Happy tails and tiny feet — you’ve got this! 🐾👣