How To Safely Introduce Your New Dog to Your Kids

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 16
4 min read

If you are bringing home a new dog and you have kids, you are likely hoping for a lifetime of those heartwarming moments we’ve all seen on Instagram. However, if you want your new dog and kids to have a safe, respectful relationship, you must start with proper introductions.

Here’s how to make sure that introducing your kids to your new dog goes smoothly.

1. Teach Your Kids How To Interact with Dogs

Kids don’t always know what’s okay and what’s not when it comes to animals. Before your new dog even walks through the door, sit down with your children and go over the basics of respectful behavior.

Teach them to:

Be calm and quiet
Let the dog approach them first
Pet gently on the side or back, not the face or tail
Avoid hugging, pulling tails, or startling the dog
Give the dog space, especially while eating or resting

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that the most common victims of dog bites are children. If you want to avoid your child being part of this statistic, lay the groundwork for appropriate behavior around dogs before your new pup comes home.

Pro Tip: If you're bringing home a new dog, involve your kids in the process, like choosing toys or beds. Since your child shouldn’t immediately meet or have access to your new pup, allowing them to be part of the process in some way can help them feel like they are part of the team.

Learn More: Rules Every Child Should Know About Interacting With Dogs

2. Prepare Your Dog

Before your new dog meets your kids, you should give them time to decompress and get comfortable in your home. You should also work with them on simple commands like sit, stay, and leave it.

Training isn’t just for your dog’s benefit. It’s a key safety tool. A well-trained dog is easier to control in new or stressful situations, including interactions with kids.

Once your new dog feels more comfortable in your home and knows some basic commands, it’s time to make the first introduction.

Disclaimer: If your dog has any history of fear, anxiety, or aggression, especially toward children, consult a trainer or behaviorist before making introductions.

Learn more: The 3-3-3 Rule

3. Make the First Introduction Calm and Controlled

The first meeting should feel more like a gentle hello than a Disney movie moment.

Here’s how to set the scene:

Choose a quiet, neutral space with minimal distractions
Remind your kids that there should be no running, shouting, or sudden movements
Keep your dog on a leash, and have treats ready for positive reinforcement
Let your child sit or kneel and wait for the dog to approach on their own terms
Don’t force interactions

This slow, respectful intro helps build trust on both sides.

Pro tip: Exercise your dog first to help get an excess energy out and keep the interaction as calm as possible.

4. Supervise All Interactions Closely

Even the best-behaved dog and the sweetest kid can have misunderstandings. That’s why the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly recommends never leaving young children alone with a dog.

Your job? Play referee. Watch for signs of stress from the dog. This can include a tucked tail, lip licking, yawning, avoiding eye contact, pinned-back ears, growling, showing teeth, or trying to move away.

If you notice these signs, calmly separate them and give your dog a break.

Learn More: Dog Body Language

5. Reward Positive Behavior From Both Sides

When your child is gentle and respectful, praise them so they know they are engaging with the dog appropriately. And, when your dog stays calm and friendly, reward them with treats.

This isn't just good behavior. It's relationship building. When you reinforce appropriate behaviors, you'll help your dog and your kids feel comfortable with each other.

6. Establish Safe Zones

Set up a dog-only zone in your home where your dog can retreat when they're feeling overwhelmed. This can be a crate, dog bed, or room.

Teach your kids that when the dog is in their safe zone, they’re off-limits. No petting, playing, or peeking. Respecting this space is crucial for helping your dog feel secure in their new home.

Your kids should have a safe zone as well. Whether this is their room or the couch, teach your dog to respect that boundary so your kids can take a break if the dog’s energy starts to overwhelm them.

7. Relationships Take Time

Don’t expect instant best friends. It might take days or even weeks for your dog and kids to fully relax around each other. That’s okay.

Every dog is different. Some jump right into family life, while others take a little longer to feel safe.

The key is to go at your dog’s pace, not your child’s excitement level.

8. Be Smart

The number of stupid Instagram reels and TikToks we see of parents sharing what they believe are cute moments between their dog and kids that are actually dangerous is mind-blowing.

Your child straddling your dog isn’t cute. That’s dangerous. Your child climbing on your dog like a jungle gym isn’t cute. It’s dangerous. Your child hitting your dog isn’t cute. It’s dangerous (and abusive).

Also, if you have a big dog, don’t let your child walk the dog. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Exercise common sense. If you find yourself questioning whether or not something is dangerous, it probably is.

Learn More: Preventing Dog Bites

Final Thoughts

The bond between kids and a dog isn’t instant. That relationship takes time to build and should never be rushed. As the adult in the house, it’s your job to make sure that bond starts off on the right foot and flourishes over time.