I have an 8year old son and a 4 year old cat. We just got a new puppy.
My son has been wanting a puppy and I have as well. My son loves the
dog and snuggles her and likes to play with her, but at the sametime,
he gets extremely impatient with the dog. When the dog just gets in
his way like puppies do, he snapa at her. He sometimes plays very
rough with her. He gets aggrivated with her on the leash when we're
walking her.
 He expresses interest in her and walking her and training her so I
allow him to do so with my supervision, but then he just gets
aggrivated with her in seconds.
 I don't know what to do.
 I know there are books out there on this topic, but online is easier.
 I am just looking for advice from other parents who have been through
this or perhaps a dog trainer. Thank you, Violet

Having a "perfectly trained" dog won't solve your problem as dog
trainers train the Dog OWNER --not the dog. The behaviour you're
describing sounds very confusing and unfair to the dog. In the absence
of a good answer here, I would continue to supervise your child
closely.

You might ask your son how he would react to his behavior if he were
in the dog's position; also suggest that he recognized that the dog is
like a young child  - and always will be -  having a mind of its own
and not understanding what is expected of it.  Maybe you have ready
example of the boy's own actions in situations with you that he
recalls, or situations with his young friends that are  illustrative
of this.

You might also point out that he, as the more intelligent of the two,
must, like and adult dealing with him, make allowances for the weaker
and less intelligent party.

Good luck.

Hi,

Supervision and Education.

Please read the 2 articles I posted links to.  

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/sidebar/sidebar00007.aspx

Is My Child Old Enough?
Fun, age-appropriate tasks for your child.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/behavior/social/kids/article_20509.aspx

I think your son just doesn't knwo how to take care of a puppy.
If you think bout it, it is his first puppy how would he know?

Your are doing the right thing adn your insticts ae right. "How would
you like that?" and "Son he is jsut a puppy, he doesn't know any
better." "It takes along to for a puppy to learn that"  All these
things I am sure you are saying and I would jsut reinforce your
current methods. You are doing all the right things.  A lot of kids
play to rough with animals, not jsut your son. The kids just don't
know any better until they are taught.