How to Raise a Puppy and a Toddler at the Same Time Without Losing Your Mind
Raising a puppy and a toddler at the same time? Welcome to the ultimate test of patience, endurance, and how quickly you can clean up a mess. One is teething, the other is learning to walk, and both think the house belongs to them. But before you panic, know that chaos can be controlled, and you will survive (probably).
Here are some tricks to turning madness into a fun, rewarding adventure!
Sync Their Schedules
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Puppies sleep up to 18 hours a day, and toddlers need their fair share, too, so why not line them up? When both are asleep at the same time, it’s your golden moment, whether that means catching up on chores or just sitting in blissful silence with your coffee while it’s still hot.
Invest in Baby Gates
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These aren’t just for toddlers, as baby gates also keep puppies from sneaking into rooms or eating crayons. More importantly, they create safe zones with fewer crashes, fewer messes, and fewer moments of questioning why you did this to yourself.
Teach ‘Gentle Hands’ Early
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Toddlers don’t mean to be rough, but their idea of “petting” feels more like an ambush. Teaching “gentle hands” from the start prevents pulled tails and startled puppy reactions. Puppies, on the other hand, explore with their mouths, so they need to learn not to nip at tiny hands. The goal is a toddler who respects animals and a puppy who isn’t terrified of chubby little fingers.
Normalize Background Noise for the Puppy
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Puppies raised in noisy homes adjust better than those raised in silence. Gradually introduce familiar household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, doorbells, and yes, toddler shrieks, so the puppy doesn’t panic every time the world gets loud. Positive reinforcement helps treat them when they stay calm during a loud moment.
Keep a Stash of Emergency Snacks
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A cranky toddler? Distract with a snack. A hyper puppy? A treat can reset the mood. Keep cut-up fruit, cheese sticks, or crackers handy for the toddler and safe chew treats for the puppy. This also helps if both get a little too interested in each other’s food.
Teach ‘Sit’ to Both
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This might sound like a joke, but teaching both to sit on command saves your sanity. For puppies, “sit” is one of the most essential training commands, and for toddlers, learning to sit in certain situations adds structure. Make it fun: reward your toddler with a clap and your puppy with a treat.
Have a Stroller and a Leash You Can Handle Together
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Walking them at the same time is an Olympic sport. You need gear that makes it easier. A hands-free leash can help if your dog walks well on one, and a sturdy stroller with storage keeps you from juggling too much. It’s also a must to practice at home first.
Use Music to Calm the Chaos
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Classical music and certain reggae beats reduce stress in dogs, and lullabies work wonders for little humans. If bedtime is a battle, try playing the same calming tunes every night, as it becomes a cue that it’s time to wind down. For wild afternoons, dance music burns energy fast.
Make Clean-Up a Game
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Toddlers love to “help,” so turn cleanup into a race: who can put their toys away first? Puppies can get involved, too; teaching “fetch and drop” helps them return stolen socks instead of shredding them. It won’t always be perfect, but every little effort saves you from living in what looks like a pet store/daycare hybrid.
Stick to a Predictable Bedtime Routine
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Both puppies and toddlers thrive on routine, and having a structured wind-down helps everyone. Start with a consistent order: dinner, potty break, a little playtime, then bedtime. This consistency signals that it’s time to sleep and remember; the more predictable bedtime is, the better everyone sleeps.
Outsource Where You Can
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Nobody wins awards for doing everything alone. If a dog walker, a babysitter, or even an extra set of hands from a friend makes life easier, take the help. Maybe daycare is a break for the toddler while you train the puppy. A pet sitter may step in so you can enjoy a toddler-free moment.
Teach ‘Stay’ Like Your Sanity Depends on It
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A toddler running one way and a puppy dashing the other? Not ideal. Teaching a solid “stay” command early on keeps your dog in place when you need a moment to deal with the toddler. Start small, reward heavily, and make “stay” one of the most reinforced words in your household.
Keep Leash Training Short and Sweet
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Use short sessions and lots of praise. If the toddler wants to “help” hold the leash, get a double-handled one so you stay in control. The sooner your dog learns to walk calmly, the easier every outing will be. And with a toddler involved, you’ll take all the ease you can get.
Carve Out Solo Time for Each
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A puppy and a toddler together are adorable, but they also need individual attention. Even 10-15 minutes makes a difference. Read a book with your toddler while the puppy naps. Play a quiet game of fetch while your toddler colors. Balance matters. Giving each their own special time keeps everyone, including you, a little happier.
Capture the Cute Moments
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Take pictures and record videos. One day, the puppy won’t be so small, and the toddler won’t need your help every second. These moments, which may be messy, funny, and heartwarming, are worth remembering. You might feel exhausted now, but trust us, future-you will be glad you captured the magic amid the madness.