--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Training a puppy is like raising a child…" description: "\"Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single interaction is a training opportunity.\" — Ian Dunbar" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddb/ian-dunbar-34487_animal_training-a-puppy-is-like-raising-a-child_799586.png" --- # Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single… ![“Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single interaction is a training opportunity.” quote by Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddb/ian-dunbar-34487_animal_training-a-puppy-is-like-raising-a-child_799586.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddb/ian-dunbar-34487_animal_training-a-puppy-is-like-raising-a-child_799586.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddb/ian-dunbar-34487_animal_training-a-puppy-is-like-raising-a-child_799586.png) > “Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single interaction is a training opportunity.” [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parenting a puppy mirrors child‑rearing: each interaction shapes behavior and learning. **In simple terms:** Raising a puppy is like raising a child. Key Takeaway Treat every moment as a teaching chance. Themes parenting training learning responsibility Mood empathetic reflective Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - dog ownership - early childhood education - pet training workshops - family dynamics - behavior modification programs Key Concepts behavioral conditioning attachment theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply this mindset to other relationships? - What boundaries differ between pets and children? A Different Perspective Pets cannot replace human children’s complex needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogs/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Interaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interaction/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Puppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puppy/) [Raising children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raising-children/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [You look like a puppy. Like I'm jingling my keys and you're jumping by the door waiting for your walk" "Woof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/you-look-like-a-puppy-like-i-m-jingling-my-keys-and-you-re-jumping-by/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Training a child is exactly like training a puppy; a little heedless inattention and it is out of hand immediately; the great thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-post/training-a-child-is-exactly-like-training-a-puppy-a-little-heedless/) [Emily Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-post/) > [Yes, it will go through the disciplines that all puppies go through including house training and puppy walking, then at twelve month old it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/yes-it-will-go-through-the-disciplines-that-all-puppies-go-through/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [Ugh, puppy mills. These commercial breeding facilities are horrendous. The animals are kept in tiny wire cages, with little to no human interaction throughout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ostrosky-stern/ugh-puppy-mills-these-commercial-breeding-facilities-are-horrendous/) [Beth Ostrosky Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ostrosky-stern/) > [Rambunctious and delinquent dogs become angelic when sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/rambunctious-and-delinquent-dogs-become-angelic-when-sitting/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [When it comes to raising children, I believe in give and take. I give orders and they take 'em.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-it-comes-to-raising-children-i-believe-in-give-and-take-i-give/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [“There is nothing more pathetically sad than a parent who teaches a child not to hit by spanking them. Well, that, and adults who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anitra-lynn-mcleod/there-is-nothing-more-pathetically-sad-than-a-parent-who-teaches-a/) Anitra Lynn McLeod > [“In thousands of little ways, we pull and push our children to grow up, hurrying them along instead of inviting them to rest. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-neufeld/in-thousands-of-little-ways-we-pull-and-push-our-children-to-grow-up/) [Gordon Neufeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-neufeld/) > [Parents decide to accept the responsibility of raising children. Any thanks they get for doing that is gravy. Grateful children are a blessing, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-c-medeiros/parents-decide-to-accept-the-responsibility-of-raising-children-any/) Donald C Medeiros > [I'm constantly trying to educate myself with new material on raising children as opposed to the rule book from 20 years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-keddie/i-m-constantly-trying-to-educate-myself-with-new-material-on-raising/) [Asher Keddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-keddie/) > [There are many important elements to being a parent. A lot of people don't have fathers but they might have someone in their life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-tyler/there-are-many-important-elements-to-being-a-parent-a-lot-of-people/) [Liv Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-tyler/) > [“A ‘good’ father will tenderly cultivate his children. But a ‘good’ father who is also a ‘brave’ father will let the children without cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/a-good-father-will-tenderly-cultivate-his-children-but-a-good-father/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [We must acknowledge that bearing and raising children is not some pesky, peripheral activity that we engage in, but the whole point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-maushart/we-must-acknowledge-that-bearing-and-raising-children-is-not-some/) [Susan Maushart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-maushart/) > [Raising a child, whether or not it is yours, is like Nautilus of the heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/raising-a-child-whether-or-not-it-is-yours-is-like-nautilus-of-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## More by Ian Dunbar > [You can instill fear in your kids and get them to mind, but they won't function better in the world and your relationship will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/you-can-instill-fear-in-your-kids-and-get-them-to-mind-but-they-won-t/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [Learning from wolves to interact with pet dogs makes about as much sense as, 'I want to improve my parenting - let's see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/learning-from-wolves-to-interact-with-pet-dogs-makes-about-as-much/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [When I'm training a dog, I develop a relationship with that dog. He's my buddy, and I want to make training fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/when-i-m-training-a-dog-i-develop-a-relationship-with-that-dog-he-s/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [Training a dog, to me, is on a par with learning to dance with my wife or teaching my son to ski. These are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/training-a-dog-to-me-is-on-a-par-with-learning-to-dance-with-my-wife/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [All training is negotiation, whether you're training dogs or spouses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/all-training-is-negotiation-whether-you-re-training-dogs-or-spouses/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [I grew up on a farm and my grandfather quit school when he was 12, but when it came to common sense and animals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/i-grew-up-on-a-farm-and-my-grandfather-quit-school-when-he-was-12-but/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [People - and dogs - are dying to be trained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/people-and-dogs-are-dying-to-be-trained/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [You don't train a dog in a training hall, jerking his neck or even giving him food treats. You train him using life rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/you-don-t-train-a-dog-in-a-training-hall-jerking-his-neck-or-even/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [With every animal, you have to build its confidence around people because people do some crazy and stupid things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/with-every-animal-you-have-to-build-its-confidence-around-people/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [One of the quickest ways to a cat's brain is through its stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/one-of-the-quickest-ways-to-a-cat-s-brain-is-through-its-stomach/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [I could speak to you and say, 'Laytay-chai, paisey, paisey.' ... Why aren't you responding? Oh, you don't speak Swahili. Well, I've got news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/i-could-speak-to-you-and-say-laytay-chai-paisey-paisey-why-aren-t-you/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) > [Rambunctious and delinquent dogs become angelic when sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-dunbar/rambunctious-and-delinquent-dogs-become-angelic-when-sitting/) [Ian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) [Explore all 13 Ian Dunbar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-dunbar/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Training a puppy is like raising a child. 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