Parents' Guide to

Puppy Place

By Ashley Moulton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Heartwarming family adventures in foster dog parenthood.

TV Apple TV+ Drama 2021
Puppy Place Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

C M.
C M. Parent of 8-year-old
November 6, 2021
age 6+
My 8 year old loves this show, and it's one that we can watch together (so many shows I just can't make it through!)
1 person found this helpful.
David A.
David A. Adult
October 28, 2021
age 4+

Adorable and smart

Kids will love the puppies. The stories are uncomplicated and the writing is smart for a kids' show. I particularly responded to the healthy and modern feeling relationship between the kids and the parents.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Puppy Place is a TV dramedy based on the book series The Puppy Place by Ellen Miles. Siblings Lizzie (Brooklynn MacKinzie) and Charles (Riley Looc) Peterson are just regular kids when they become accidental dog foster parents. They discover their passion for fostering dogs when their firefighter dad brings home an abandoned puppy he rescued from a fire. At first Lizzie and Charles want to convince their parents to let them keep the puppy as a family pet, but they realize that the dog can actually have a better home elsewhere. After their first ad-hoc foster pup, they decide to keep fostering dogs. Along the way, they meet different breeds who put their puppy training skills to the test, and tug at their heartstrings when they send them to their fur-ever homes.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Kids who love dogs will likely enjoy Puppy Place despite its predictable plots and unrealistic dialogue. Each episode features a foster dog that's a different breed, and the canine stars are super adorable. Kids will like living vicariously through Lizzie and Charles, whose parents give them complete responsibility in taking care of the foster dogs. The show's writing could be better. While the siblings do get in realistic-ish disagreements with each other and their parents, they resolve their problems with trite monologues that fall flat. Kid viewers may not resonate with these siblings who don't quite feel like real, normal kids. Otherwise, the series advocates for treating furry friends with respect, and shows kids that they can help animals in need too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Lizzie and Charles's compassion for dogs. What do you think leads them to fostering dogs, even though it means they have to make a lot of personal sacrifices to do it?

  • It's hard for Charles and Lizzie to get to know the dogs they foster and then give them away to another family. Do you think you'd be able to foster animals?

  • Charles and Lizzie don't always get along. Does their relationship remind you of one you have with a brother, sister, or friend? How do they resolve their disagreements?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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