Socialization
How to keep small pets safe when you bring home a new dog
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Set up secure enclosures in a dog free room before the new dog ever arrives, and treat the first several weeks as an unknown, assuming the dog's reaction to small pets is untested until you have seen calm, repeated behavior around a secure barrier. Never leave the dog unsupervised in the same room as an unenclosed small pet.
Prepare before the dog comes home, not after
Move cages, hutches, and enclosures into a room with a secure door well before the new dog arrives, so there is no scramble to protect a small pet after the fact once the dog is already exploring the house freely.
Assume nothing about a new dog's reaction
Even a dog described as good with small animals by a previous owner may respond differently in a new environment, so start with the same cautious, gated introduction process you would use with any unknown dog.
Build in physical redundancy
A locked door in addition to a secure cage means that even a moment of forgetfulness, like a door left ajar, does not turn into an emergency, since the enclosure itself still protects the small pet.
Key takeaways
- Set up secure, dog free enclosures before the new dog arrives.
- Treat a new dog's reaction to small pets as unknown until proven otherwise.
- Use a locked door as backup protection alongside a secure cage.
- Never leave a new dog unsupervised with an unenclosed small pet.