PouchHow to teach kids to walk the dog
Quick answer
Start with walks where you hold the other end of the leash or walk beside your kid. Teach them to keep the leash short and calm, stop at every crossing, and pick up after the dog. Big or strong dogs always walk with an adult, no matter how confident your kid feels.
What done looks like
- The dog came home calm, with the leash on the whole walk.
- Any mess was picked up and put in a bin.
- The dog has fresh water, and your kid washed their hands.
- The leash is hung on its hook.
Steps to teach
- Practice leash handling at home: hold it with both hands, with no loop around the wrist.
- Show how to clip the leash on while the dog is calm.
- Walk the first few times with an adult beside your kid.
- Teach the stop-look-listen routine at every crossing, and have the dog sit.
- Keep the leash short on the sidewalk and let it out a little in the park.
- If the dog pulls, stop walking until the leash goes loose.
- Pick up any mess with a bag and put it in a bin.
- Back home, unclip the leash, give water and wash hands.
By age
Kids vary, and so do dogs. A small calm dog and a large strong one need very different handling.
| Age band | What they often do |
|---|---|
| Preschool | Hold a treat bag or walk next to an adult who holds the leash. |
| Early elementary | Hold the leash with an adult’s hand right above theirs. |
| Upper elementary | Walk a calm, small dog on a familiar route with an adult nearby. |
| Teens | Handle the walk on their own, depending on the dog and the route. |
Common snags
- The dog pulls. Stop and wait until the leash goes loose, or switch to an adult.
- Your kid gets bored. Plan a route with a landmark to reach.
- The dog barks at other dogs. Cross to the other side and keep walking.
- Forgotten bags. Keep a roll hanging on the leash hook.
Safety
- Big or strong dogs always go with an adult. No exceptions.
- Traffic: stop at every curb, look both ways, listen, and cross only when the way is clear.
- Keep the leash short near roads, and never let the dog off the leash near traffic.
- Do not wrap the leash around a hand or wrist if the dog could pull your kid over.
- Never let a kid approach strange dogs without asking the owner.
- Wash hands after the walk and after handling waste.
Sample dog-walk chart
Dog walk
| Chore | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clip on the leash | |||||||
| Walk the planned route | |||||||
| Pick up after the dog | |||||||
| Fresh water at home | |||||||
| Hang up the leash |
Building the habit
Pick the same time each day so the dog and your kid both expect it. Add it to the pet care chart and see how to feed the pet for the rest of dog care.
Questions parents ask
How old should a child be to walk the dog alone?
There is no single answer. It depends on your child, the dog, and the route. Start with an adult beside them and decide as you go.
Can kids walk big dogs?
Big or strong dogs should always be walked with an adult.
What should kids bring on a dog walk?
A leash, waste bags, and a small bottle of water on longer walks. An adult comes along, or knows the route and when to expect them back.
What if the dog pulls?
Stop, stand still and wait for the leash to go loose, then walk on. If the dog is too strong for your kid, an adult takes over.