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It's easy to forget that responsible pet ownership skills must be taught, since they don't come innately to most children. Begin talking with your children as early as possible to build the foundation for behaviors they will use for the rest of their lives.
 

Click here to download a simple, kid-friendly list of rules that you can use to teach your children about being a responsible pet owner. Also included in this is a list of safety tips for kids published by the American Kennel Club.

 

Click on any image to download a PDF file from the Activity Book
 

Responsible Pet Owner Rules for Kids
• Talk to the dog in a normal voice. No screaming or yelling at him.
• Approach the dog quietly. Walk, don't run. Make a fist and let him sniff you before you touch him.
• Pet the dog gently, on the back, from head to tail. No petting tail to head.
• Be kind to the dog. No hitting or kicking allowed. No jumping on the dog. No riding the dog like he's a horse. No stepping on the dog's toes. No dressing up the dog in doll's clothes. No pulling tails or ears.
• Play fetch. No roughhousing. No tug-of-war. If you're not sure, ask Mom or Dad.
• Remember that dogs get tired too. If the dog is sleeping, leave him alone.
• If the dog is in his crate, leave him alone. That means you play in another room or away from the crate. No sitting on top of the crate while the dog is in it. No putting food or toys in through the openings. When the dog is in his crate, pretend there is a big DO NOT DISTURB sign on the crate door.
• If the dog is doing something wrong, tell him "Angghhh" in a low, serious voice.
• If the dog does something right, sound happy and excited when you tell him, "Good boy."
• If you have permission to give commands to the dog, only give a one word command. Say "sit," not "sit down." Only say it once and only say it if you know how to make the dog do what you want.
• Try to make sure all visitors read this list or have it read to them. You are responsible for protecting your dog from people who might not know how to treat a dog.
• Some people food can make a dog really sick, so no sharing your snacks with the dog and no feeding him from the table.
• Be patient. Before you know it, the dog will be trained to accept commands from you and ready to be the friend you really want to have. In the meantime, practice giving commands to your stuffed animals.
• Love your dog but respect him too.
 

Safety Tips for Kids from the AKC:
• Always ask a dog's owner if you may pet the dog. There may be a very good reason why a dog should not be touched. He may be "on duty" as a handicapped person's assistance dog, or he may be injured, ill, or afraid of children.
• Approach a dog from the front or side. Hold your hands low and speak softly. Surprising a dog from behind, forcing him into a corner, waving hands in the air or screaming may overexcite him, causing him to snap in fear or even in play.
• Let a dog eat in peace. Many dogs get defensive at the food dish. Your dog shouldn't be allowed to growl when you get near the food dish, but you shouldn't interfere with his eating.
• Watch out for special toys. Some dogs have powerful feelings for their playthings. Never take a bone or toy from a dog's mouth unless you have trained him to drop it and give it to you first.
• Be careful if you wrestle or play tug-of-war games. Dogs may get too enthusiastic and forget you're not a dog. You may consider alternatives such as fetch, Frisbee, hide and seek, agility courses and flyball as outlets for your dog's energy.
• Respect a dog's space. Dogs naturally defend their territories. Sticking your hand inside a strange dog's pen or in a car window where a dog is sitting may cause him to defend his territory by biting you.
• Leave fighting dogs alone. Do not try to break up a dogfight. Most fights end quickly, but it's a good idea to remain quiet and get an adult who can break up the fight with a garden hose or lemon juice in a squirt bottle. Trying to separate or yelling at fighting dogs makes them more excited, and they might turn on you.
• Observe dog body language. Watch out for a dog who is barking, growling or showing his teeth. Beware if his ears are back, legs stiff, tail up or hair standing up on his back. Slowly walk away and say "No" firmly with your arms by your side. Do not scream, stare into his eyes or run. If you run, he will chase you and may attack.
• Tell your friends what you know. When friends come to your house, introduce them to your dog and tell them about the rules.

For more ways to teach your children about responsible pet ownership, visit the American Kennel Club's website at www.akc.org.
 

For kids: Things You Should NOT Do
• Don't ride a bike with your dog on a leash.
• Don't skateboard with your dog on a leash.
• Don't roller blade with your dog on a leash.
• Don't exercise when it is very hot or very cold.
• Don't let your dog run loose near traffic.
• Don't exercise your dog right before or after he is fed.
 

Download printable coloring, word search and word game sheets from the Growing Up With Pets Activity Book - 636k PDF to help your children learn the responsibilities of pet ownership.