How do I introduce my dog to an elderly relative moving in?

Keep initial introductions short, calm, and on your dog's terms, allowing it to approach at its own pace rather than being brought directly up to an unfamiliar person, particularly important if your relative has mobility limitations that make an overly enthusiastic greeting genuinely risky. Repeat these calm, brief sessions several times over the days before the actual move-in, if your relative is able to visit beforehand.

If your dog tends to jump up in greeting, prioritize teaching a solid sit or four-on-the-floor cue well before the move, since a jump that a fit adult might absorb easily could genuinely knock an elderly or frail person off balance. Practicing calm approach and settling near a seated person, using a family member as practice, builds the specific skill your dog will actually need.

A new person moving in changes household dynamics for your dog too, potentially including new sounds, a different daily schedule, or new furniture like a walking frame or mobility aid your dog will need to become accustomed to. Introduce any new equipment gradually and calmly before your relative actually needs to use it around your dog, so it is not simultaneously novel and actively in use.

Recognize that your relative may also need time to adjust to living with a dog, particularly if they have not owned one recently or have specific concerns about safety or allergies. Open conversation about boundaries and comfort levels on both sides helps the arrangement work smoothly for everyone involved from the outset.