Bringing Home a Dog? How to Introduce Your Child the Right Way

As a former dog-obsessed child, I feel like all kids should have a furry friend in their lives. I would say that all of my favorite memories growing up involve my beloved toy poodle, Molly. From playing ball for literal hours (she was obsessed) to dressing her up in Build-A-Bear clothes, we just had the time of our lives together. 

While that’s all good and dandy, I also know that introducing a new dog to your kid is tricky. After all dogs and kids are unpredictable, especially if they are both on the younger side. And sometimes, this unpredictability can lead to unsafe circumstances, which obviously no one wants. 

To make the situation as safe and as fun as possible, here are a few tips for introducing a dog to your child. 

Encourage Gentle Touches

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Anyone who’s ever been around a kid knows they typically aren’t super gentle. And this isn’t great as dogs don’t usually like rough touches. In fact, many pups will bite if, say, their tail gets pulled. 

For this reason, you’ll need to explain to your child that dogs must be handled with great care. The American Kennel Club reported that before you bring home a pup, you should use a stuffed animal to practice gentle petting. Also, it’s best to instruct your child to avoid touching a dog’s face, as that can decrease the likelihood of them getting bitten.

Supervise All Interactions

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A good rule of thumb is that children and dogs should not be left alone together. The Regina Humane Society reported that under your watchful eye, you can correct certain behavior and ensure that everyone is having a good time. You can also stop any potential plans of them working together to sneak cookies from the kitchen. 

Remind Your Kid To Take It Slow

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When it comes to interacting with a new dog, your kid may get a little antsy. They probably will want to immediately start playing with their furry friend, and who can blame them? After all, it’s ridiculously fun to play with a dog. 

That being said, your new furry friend may not be as stoked. In fact, they might be a little scared. 

To ensure that they feel secure in their new environment, your child will have to be as calm and collected as possible. This means allowing the pup to make the first move. Instruct your child to put the back of their hand close to the dog’s nose. If your dog seems receptive, your child can gently stroke the pup’s neck.  

Consider Crate Training 

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There’s a good chance that your dog is going to adore your kid. But he’ll still need his alone time. Give your dog a crate where he can comfortably curl up and be out of reach from your child, as suggested by The Spruce Pet. 

Give Both Your Dog & Kid Plenty Of Praise 

During this adjustment period, give your kid and pup plenty of praise! They’re doing great, and they deserve it!