Getting a Puppy? How to Prepare Your Child

Quick answer: Prepare your child for a new puppy by talking it through as a family before the dog comes home, agreeing on a few simple house rules, and giving your child one or two small jobs that fit their age. Reading a puppy story together first helps too; our pick is Teddy Gets a Puppy by Ryan Cohen, an illustrated hardcover for $14.99. Whatever your child helps with, the adults stay responsible for the puppy.

A new puppy is exciting, and for a young child it can also be a lot. Puppies are bouncy, noisy and nippy, and most don't want to be hugged. Children cope better when they know what to expect and what their part is.

For anything about your puppy's health, food or daily care, follow your veterinarian's advice.

Read before the puppy comes home

Teddy Gets a Puppy

By Ryan Cohen · Illustrated hardcover · $14.99

A read-aloud about a new puppy, caring for a pet and taking responsibility.

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At a glance

Best for	Families bringing home a puppy with a child about 3 to 8
Our pick	Teddy Gets a Puppy by Ryan Cohen
Price	$14.99 single book · $69.99 Volume 2 (5 books, includes the puppy story)
Ages	We suggest it for reading aloud with children about 3 to 8
When to read	A week or two before the puppy arrives, then again in the first week

How do I talk to my child about getting a puppy?

Have the conversation before you choose a dog, and again once the date is set. Keep it concrete. A young child understands "the puppy will sleep in a crate in the kitchen" far better than "we all need to be responsible."

What a puppy is really like. Puppies chew, have accidents, cry at night and nip when they play. That is normal, not a bad dog.
Who does what. Name the adult in charge of feeding, walks and vet visits, and the jobs your child will help with.
Where the puppy will sleep and eat. Show your child the spot and let them help set out the bowls.
What needs to be put away. Toys left on the floor may get chewed.

Ask what your child is looking forward to and what worries them. Both answers tell you where to focus.

What jobs can a child do to help with a new puppy?

Small jobs help a child feel part of the new routine. Do them together at first. An adult always checks that the puppy was fed, has water and went outside.

Age	Jobs they can help with	What an adult still does
3–4	Pour food an adult has measured into the bowl; put puppy toys in a basket; say when the water bowl is empty	Measures food and refills water; stays in the room the whole time
5–6	Hang up the leash after walks; tick off a daily care chart; remind the family at mealtime	Handles walks, training and house-training
7–8	Help hold the leash with an adult's hand on it too; rinse and refill bowls; help brush the puppy gently	Stays on every walk; remains responsible for food, safety and vet care

If a child forgets a job, the puppy still gets fed. Use a gentle reminder rather than taking the job away. For more ideas, see our chores for kids by age.

What house rules should kids follow in the first week?

Pick a handful of rules, say them the same way every time, and post them where everyone can see.

Gentle hands. Stroke the puppy's back with an open hand. No hugging, squeezing or pulling ears and tails, and no lifting the puppy without an adult.
Let the puppy come to you. Sit on the floor and wait instead of chasing.
A resting puppy is left alone. The bed or crate is the puppy's quiet place.
Wash hands after playing. Make it routine, like washing up before meals.
No sharing snacks. The adult in charge decides what the puppy eats, following your veterinarian's advice.
A grown-up is always in the room. Children and the puppy play together only when an adult is watching.

Teach one plan for when the puppy jumps or nips: stand still, fold your arms, look away and call a grown-up. Practice it before the puppy arrives.

What if my child is scared of the puppy?

If your child is nervous, take the fear seriously and go at their pace. Pushing a child to touch the puppy tends to make things harder.

Give them a safe spot, such as a couch or a room behind a gate.
Start by watching the puppy eat, play and sleep from a distance.
Offer a job that needs no touching, like choosing a toy or ticking the care chart.
Try a first touch when everyone is calm: a sleepy puppy, a seated child and your hand beside theirs.
Praise small steps. Watching from the doorway counts.

If the fear is strong or doesn't ease after a few weeks, talk it over with your child's doctor or a professional dog trainer.

Why read a puppy book before the puppy arrives?

A story lets your child rehearse the change while the house is still quiet. They can ask questions and talk about feelings, and you gain a shared reference for the busy first week.

Our pick is Teddy Gets a Puppy by Ryan Cohen, who founded the pet retailer Chewy. The Teddy series, inspired by his father, Ted, follows Grandpa Teddy and his grandsons, Princeton and Kingston; this story is about a new puppy, caring for a pet and responsibility. We sell the Teddy books, so weigh our pick with that in mind. The tips below work with any puppy story.

Read it a week or two ahead. Keep it light and let your child point at the pictures.
Pause for questions: What does a puppy need every day? Which job would you like? How can we tell when a puppy wants to rest? What will you do if it nibbles your sleeve?
Read it again in the first week and connect the story to what is happening at home.

Prices

Teddy Gets a Puppy: $14.99 USD.
Teddy Volume 2, 5-Book Hardcover Set: $69.99 USD for five books, including the puppy story.

Prices checked September 24, 2026; see each product page for current pricing and availability. Age suggestions are our editorial recommendations for shared reading.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should I tell my child we're getting a puppy?

For a child of 3 or 4, we suggest a week or two, since long waits feel endless at that age. Older children can join the planning from the start.

Should a young child be responsible for a puppy?

No. Children can help with small jobs, but an adult is responsible for feeding, walks, training and health care. Follow your veterinarian's advice on your puppy's needs.

What age is Teddy Gets a Puppy for?

We suggest it for reading aloud with children about 3 to 8. An adult reads while the child follows the pictures and talks about the story.

Will the book arrive before the puppy does?

Orders ship from Florida within 1–2 business days, and standard US delivery usually takes 4–9 business days after ordering. Order about two weeks ahead so you have time to read it first.