Kids and dogs can make a great combination. In one of my recent posts I discussed giving the dog a job, a challenge and more exercise. A kid will very often fill all those needs.
However. (You knew there was a however, didn't you?)
A dog is a living, breathing animal. Your dog will have needs that children under either a certain age or with the mind set of entitlement, simply can not handle. That is not the dog's problem or issue. That belongs to the adult members of the family to make sure puppy is well taken care of past the first few days when it gets more attention that it needs and everyone fights to take him out. I always tell people 'this too shall pass' when they tell me what a great caretaker the seven year old is.
So just enjoy the fighting over puppy while it lasts, and realize this time next week it will be up to you to make sure puppy gets well cared for. Either by demanding the kids do it, or doing it yourself.
One other issue I get all the time is 'the two year old and the puppy'. Nothing is harder than a two year old and a puppy. They both run wild, they both squeal, they both jump on the other one unexpectedly, they both cry, they both have long term memory issues and you simply can't reason with either one of them. Separation and/or close supervision is about the only answer to this problem, till one of them matures a bit.
Yes, there are steps to help that. Come to puppy class! Let me help! And yes, you may bring your two year old child also - just make sure there is an adult who is not handling the dog be in charge of the child. I will thank you and every other person in class will thank you also.
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