Description
How you will learn:
Everything is delivered in easy-to-follow lessons your whole family can enjoy at their own pace.
- Engaging content including video demonstrations, animations, photos and quizzes
- Self-paced learning that you can revisit anytime
- Easy to navigate portal where you can check progress, download resources and revisit topics
What you will learn:
- Part One – Preparing For a Puppy
What to do before your puppy arrives including puppy-proofing your home, what to buy, how to prepare your kids and what to do if you have another dog. - Part Two – Those First Few Days Settling In
Learn the tools to ensure the first days are positive and set the right tone for everyone. Learn what to bring for the car ride, how to help your puppy settle in, introducing alone time and how to start toilet training. - Part Three – How To Raise A Happy and Well-Mannered Dog
Discover the basics to understanding and integrating your new family member such as understanding their body language, building positive relationships and ensuring you are meeting their needs. - Part Four – Preventing Problems Is So Much Easier Than Fixing Them
Practical, step-by-step guides to understanding, preventing and if needed managing, common problems including biting, barking, chewing, separation anxiety and jumping. - Part Five – How To Manage Kids And A Puppy
A section for the adults and for the kids, so everyone learns how to be safe and respectful with their new pup. The kids have three animations to watch where they will learn how to become their dogs best friend. Parents are given the tools to navigate life with kids in a positive proactive way. Plus, there is a games section here – the whole family can learn to play with their new puppy. - Part Six – Teaching Your Puppy Important Life Skills/Basic Cues
Learn our approach to dog training and watch step-by-step lessons on how to train your new puppy to learn all the essential skills including recall, sit, stay and walking on a lead. - Part Seven – More of the Puppy Basics You Need
The next layer of teaching your puppy to become a well-adjusted dog, including teaching them to be comfortable in the car, grooming and what to do when they start moving out of the puppy stage into adolescence.
Our training approach:
Mel, the founder of Cooper and Kids and the creator of these programs, is a Family Paws Educator, a Fear Free Certified Professional, an IAABC-accredited dog trainer, and a certified Family Dog Mediator. Driven by the goal of educating families and dog guardians, Mel emphasises the importance of using positive, ethical, kind, and force-free methods to build better and safer relationships between you, your family, and your dog. Her focus is on promoting your dog’s overall well-being and welfare, ensuring that both children and dogs are happy and safe together.
Disclaimer:
This program is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised professional, veterinary, or behavioural advice. Every dog and family situation is unique, and outcomes will vary depending on factors including consistency, environment, supervision, and the individual temperament and history of each dog. You are responsible for safe supervision and implementation of all strategies. Cooper and Kids accepts no liability for injury, loss, or damage resulting from use of this material.
What my clients are saying
From Nat – Mac the Cavoodle
Cooper and Kids puppy program was such a wonderful resource for our family and a fun and interactive way for the kids to be involved in Mac’s training.
I also loved the self-paced nature of the program and having the ability to revisit Mel’s helpful tips whenever I needed a reminder or assistance in troubleshooting along the way.
From a tiny puppy to now, a happy, thriving, busy 9 month old. Mel and her programs have been a tremendous help in raising our beloved Mac 💙
Highly recommend.
From Louise – Clifford the Brittany Spaniel
This program has been perfect for our family!
With our puppy Clifford and two primary aged daughters, we needed guidance on creating a safe and happy environment for everyone. The self-paced format worked wonderfully with our schedule and the kids’ attention span. The mix of videos and demonstrations kept the girls engaged while teaching us all how to help Clifford learn to be a confident, well-mannered family member.
Highly recommend for any family navigating the puppy years with young children.
From Shelley – Nala the Golden Retriever
I honestly don’t know how we would have managed those stressful early puppy days without Cooper and Kid’s Online Program! It made everything feel so much less overwhelming, and the ability to pause, rewatch and follow along at our own pace was fantastic. It’s perfect for busy families with young kids. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to start off on the right paw! 🐾
FAQs
When should I purchase this program?
This program is relevant no matter what stage of getting a puppy your family is in.
We highly recommend getting started before you bring your puppy home if possible. If you’re thinking about a puppy, or about to pick them up, it is a great tool to prepare your kids, your home and yourselves for what life with a puppy really looks like. It helps you set expectations early, put simple rules in place, and start on the right foot before habits form.
If you already have a puppy in your family, it is absolutely not too late. The program helps you understand what is normal puppy behaviour, how to guide your kids to interact safely and calmly, and how to reduce stress and chaos at home. You can start applying the guidance straight away, no matter your puppy’s age or how things are currently going.
If your dog has grown out of their puppy stage but you are still wanting to teach new basic skills, address specific behavioural challenges, or strengthen your bond, check out our other online programs Kids and Dogs: How To Build Safe and Positive Relationships or Helping your Dog to Live their Happiest Life.
What is the recommended age for children to participate in this program?
This program is designed for families with children welcoming a new puppy. Generally, children aged four to five and older will be better equipped to engage with the animations, play the games, and understand the instructions, as their cognitive development allows them to follow along effectively. However, younger children can still participate, as each child’s abilities vary.
For parents with younger children, this program offers invaluable tools to manage the excitement and challenges of raising a puppy alongside little ones.
If your children are all over the age of fifteen or sixteen, we recommend opting for the standard puppy program instead.
When will I get access to the program?
Once you have purchased our online program, you will automatically receive an email guiding you on how to access our online learning portal (this should only take a couple of minutes to complete). This means your family can start learning straight away!
The email should arrive in your inbox within a few minutes from Reach360 which is our learning portal. If there are any delays or issues, you can reach out to us at mel@cooperandkids.com
How long will I have access for?
You get lifetime access, so the program is yours to keep. Puppies change fast and so do kids, so you can jump back in when your puppy hits the teenage stage, when a new challenge pops up, or when you add another dog to the family down the track. No deadlines, no pressure, and any future updates are included.
Is this program suitable for all dog breeds?
The online program focuses on understanding puppy behaviour, setting clear boundaries, and teaching kids how to interact safely and calmly with a dog. These foundations apply to every breed, whether you are welcoming a small companion dog or a larger, more energetic puppy.
However, please always remember that this is general advice. So, if you have any big concerns or red flags, make sure to get in touch with Cooper and Kids mel@cooperandkids.com or your local positive dog trainer, vet or vet behaviourist for further one-on-one assistance.
Does this online program replace the need for puppy school?
Our online program covers SO much – from essential training, troubleshooting problems, managing kids and puppies, understanding your dog better, etc, but in-person assistance is invaluable and highly recommended when it comes to puppies.
Puppy school can be fantastic for socialisation and provides an excellent opportunity for your puppy to learn skills with added distractions.
While we encourage attending puppy school, it’s crucial to choose one led by qualified, force-free positive dog trainers. There are many training philosophies and individuals offering services without proper qualifications. The wrong puppy school can have lasting negative effects on your dog, so be sure to do your research and choose wisely.
Is there further support if we have questions?
This online program is designed to give your family clear, practical guidance for life with a puppy and to help you raise a calm, well-mannered and happy dog.
If you do find that you need more personalised support, we also offer in-home sessions and online zoom sessions. These are ideal for families with specific questions, unique challenges, or situations where extra guidance would be helpful. You can read more about these options here, or contact us anytime at mel@cooperandkids.com
