HOW TO Train the Whole Family

Get kids to help care for pets- over the long run.

- LIZZ SCHUMER

It’s a “tail” as old as time: The kids beg for a pet and promise to help take care of the animal, but then they lose interest and you’re left holding the poop bag. It doesn’t have to happen that way — but averting that outcome requires a mindset shift. “Having everyone on the same page before the dog comes home will make the whole process much easier for everyone, including the dog,” explains Justine Schuurmans, CPDT-KA, a Licensed Family Dog Mediator (LFDM) and owner of The Family Dog. As a trainer who works exclusively with families looking to bring a new pet into their homes, she suggests looking at the experience as similar to that of bringing home a new baby. She advises that instead of having kids take on the bulk of the responsibility at first, the parents take the lead. Then she suggests that the adults empower the kids to help out more over time as appropriate to their age and skill level. Follow these guidelines to make the process even smoother:

Choose the right pet.