How do I prepare my children for a new dog arriving?

Practice calm approaches, gentle petting, and recognizing signs a dog wants space, such as turning away or moving off, using simple, age appropriate language your child can understand and remember. Establish a clear rule that all interactions happen under adult supervision, especially in the first weeks, regardless of how friendly the dog initially seems.

Explain honestly that the new dog may be nervous or cautious at first and will need time to settle before showing its full, playful personality, so children are not disappointed or confused if the dog seems shy in the early days. Involving children in simple preparation tasks, like picking out a toy or helping set up a bed, builds excitement in a positive, constructive way.

Continue supervising all interactions closely even after the initial settling in period, since both the dog and the children are still learning how to read and respond to each other. Regularly reinforcing the same calm, respectful rules over the following months helps build a genuinely safe, lasting bond.

Younger children typically need simpler, repeated reminders and closer supervision, while older children can often take on more responsibility and understand more nuanced explanations about reading a dog's body language, so tailor your approach to each child's age and maturity.

Reassure children that any early caution or shyness from the dog is completely normal and not a reflection of how the dog feels about them specifically.