Introducing a New Dog

Introducing a new dog can be an exciting, but potentially stressful situation. You may have children, cats or other dogs in the home, and might not be sure how your new addition will fit in with current family members.

Jack Russell Terrier sitting on a welcome mat

When it comes to introductions, advance preparation and patience will be key. Make sure your current dogs are able to cope peacefully around other dogs before you decide to bring home another dog. Multi-dog households can work well, but they can also lead to serious fights and potential injury.

If you have children in the home, teach them how to stay safe around dogs, and make sure your new dog will be good with children. is a delicate proposition – one that you want to get right from the beginning to ensure a special lifelong bond between child and dog. must also be done with care to make sure that both the dog and kids understand each others' needs.

Introductions should occur slowly and should never be forced. Dog-to-dog introductions are best done on neutral territory, and sometimes taking the dogs for a walk together first is a good starting point. Minimize face-to-face greetings as much as possible, as these can get tense quickly.

You should stay calm at all times during these initial introductions, and use a happy, calm tone of voice when speaking. If you are having trouble with introducing a new dog, find a qualified trainer near you to help.

Dogs and children

Introducing a new dog to children

Dogs and children can make great companions, and children can learn a lot about responsibility by caring for the family dog. At the same time, both children and dogs can be energetic and unpredictable and that combination can lead to some unwanted and sometimes chaotic situations! Plan ahead, educate yourself and your children, and establish some ground rules so everyone is set up for success.

Before you bring your dog home

Prepare your children and your family before you bring your dog home. This helps everyone understand the rules and expectations once the dog arrives.

Establish boundaries and zones

Decide where the dog will be allowed to be and also where the dog will be able to have quiet time. Children should never be allowed to go into a dog’s bed, crate, or kennel. Dogs need their space and need to have a place where they won’t be disturbed. Likewise, dogs should not be allowed access to children's belongings or rooms until the dog learns to leave household items alone.
Establish at least two separate spaces in your home so the children can be physically separated from the dog at times, and the dog can be separated from the children. This might be a gate between two or more rooms, or a pen around a crate for a puppy or a small dog. Children may want or need some times when they want to rest or sit on the floor, get their own snack, or just have some time to themselves. The dog may need some space to unwind or a break from the temptation to chase or jump.

Learn dog body language

Learn and teach your children about dog body language and how dogs communicate. Dogs have their own language and give signals when they are uncomfortable. It is crucial that children learn to recognize these signals so they can give the dog space, and, if needed, find an adult.

Teach how to pet and interact with a dog

Teach your child that petting a dog is a privilege, not a right, and that contact should be gentle and kind.

Teach your child how to greet a dog safely. Dogs should enjoy and agree to be touched and pet, even by their family. Teach your children to ask the dog if the dog would like to interact. This can be done by standing sideways and inviting the dog to come to them by patting their side. If a dog chooses not to interact, tell the child it is nothing personal if the dog does not feel like interacting at that moment. The child should then leave the dog alone.
If the dog chooses to interact with a child, have the child pet the dog gently on his back rather than reaching down over his head. Have the child pet him for a count of five, then stop and see if he asks to be pet again. It is important that children learn to respect the wishes of the dog.
Dogs should be touched with respect and in a way that the dog likes. Children should never climb on or 'ride' a dog, tease him, talk loudly in the dog's face, or pull ears, whiskers, the tail, or any other body part. Dogs are not toys.
Never force a dog to accept or tolerate teasing or mishandling from anyone, including children.

Why supervising kids and dogs is essential

It is crucial to supervise children with dogs, especially when you are getting to know a new dog. Even a few seconds of unsupervised interaction can result in the behavior you don’t want, such as excessive jumping, mouthing, snapping, or a bite.

Children are more likely to be bitten by a dog than adults, and those bites are usually from dogs the children know.
Children tend to move quickly and erratically and are generally unaware of where they are in relation to where the dog is. A new dog may want to chase, jump on, or be startled by these movements. A child may step on a tail or trip over the hips of a dog that may react out of pain, resulting in a bite. Some children, especially very young ones, won’t yet understand that a dog is not a toy. They may run up into a dog’s face and frighten him, and the child could be at risk of being nipped, jumped on, or bitten.
Young dogs and puppies also usually mouth and jump on people and this can be overwhelming or scary for children. Large dogs could accidentally step on or over young children, and you do want everyone to feel and be safe.

If you are unable to directly supervise, put your dog in a secure and separate space that the dog is comfortable being in.

Intervene before interactions escalate

Be ready to intervene in child/dog interactions before the dog or the kids’ behavior gets too ramped up. Both children and dogs can have trouble with impulse control!

Provide alternate activities and separate the dog and kids before things escalate. The dog might need a run in the yard or some downtime with a chew toy or bone; the kids might need a break from the dog in order to relax; the adults might need a break from supervising! All of that is normal with a new dog in a home with children. It is easier to step in and prevent problems than to calm everyone down once things rev up.

Never punish a growl

A dog who growls is feeling stressed in some way: he might feel trapped, uncertain, scared, or defensive. Growling is valuable because it communicates that the dog is uncomfortable.

The growl is a warning signal from the dog that he needs more space in that moment and that he would rather not escalate into aggression. It may seem counterintuitive, but you actually want that warning signal from your dog. If you punish the dog for growling, he might not growl next time but then you won’t know he’s uncomfortable, and he may feel pressed into more aggressive action such as a bite.

That doesn’t mean a growl should be taken lightly. If a dog is growling in a home, give the dog more space and try to avoid the situation in which the growl occurred. Contact a positive reinforcement trainer to get guidance.

What should I not do?

Never assume your child and dog can be left alone together without supervision. Children and dogs always need to be supervised.
Do not let a child climb on or 'ride' a dog, tease him, or get in his face and pull his ears, whiskers, tail, or any other body part. Dogs are not toys.
Avoid allowing your child to rush up to a dog they do not know. Even if the dog’s owner says it is ok to approach their dog, the child should always learn to ASK THE DOG FIRST! When approached by an unknown dog, teach your child to stand still and calm, fold their arms in, and stare at the ground until the dog goes away.

Dogs and cats

In many situations, cats and dogs can live together in harmony. Understanding the fundamental needs of both animals and providing each the space and time to process this new animal in their lives will ensure that you’re setting everyone up for success!

Introducing a cat to a new dog

The first few weeks are usually the most challenging period when you introduce a new dog into a home with an existing cat. Younger dogs might find adjustment easier behaviorally, but be more energetic. Adult cats might not appreciate a new animal around if they’re really used to their daily routines, and senior cats might be “feeling their age” or in pain. Similarly, if the new dog is older and has never met or lived with a cat, then it can be confusing for him.

Regardless, all introductions should be slow and carefully done. With preparation, management, and patience, in many cases, you can have a peaceful household of both dogs and cats.

Safely introducing a cat to a new dog

Be proactive. Arrange for separate spaces for your dog and cat. This could be a room or area of the house that can be completely closed off for the cat, or gating off areas that the dog can be in but can’t access or maybe even see the cat. Your cat’s space should contain her litter box, food, and water and be considered dog-free for a while.
Dogs and cats need time to adjust to new environments and pets. Let your dog settle into the home for a few days before introducing him to the cat, if possible. Allow your cat time to adjust as well; if she wants to hide away at first, that’s normal.
Let your dog and cat smell each other through the doorway of their separate areas. If your dog is not overly excited by the cat’s smell behind the door, you can prepare to let them see each other with a barrier between them.
Arrange for the first meeting using a gate between your dog and cat, with your cat in her safe area behind a gate and your dog on a leash, a few feet or more away from the gate.
Keep your dog on a leash during all initial introductions. A dog can easily injure or kill a cat, even in play.
Walk your dog past the cat’s area several times a day, with the door open but the gate up. Give your dog a treat each time he walks past the cat calmly.
Never yell at your dog or use physical punishment for any behaviors towards the cat that you dislike. Focus on rewarding good interactions and removing your dog if he gets overstimulated.
Never force your cat or dog to get closer than either is comfortable with.
When you can walk your dog past the cat with calm behavior, let him look at her for a few seconds, and reward him with a treat for calm, polite behavior around the cat. Keep these sessions short at first, maybe just a few minutes at a time, and work up to longer exposures.
Don’t be surprised if your new dog wants to play with your cat or try to chase her. These are normal behaviors but must be interrupted immediately by gently and consistently removing the dog from the room if he tries to chase.
Over a few days, or maybe even weeks, you should be seeing calmer behavior from your dog. You can then try letting your cat out of her safe area, but keep your dog on a leash at first, and well away from the cat. Continue to reward your dog for calm behavior, and remember to practice his leave it cue.
If you aren’t seeing progress, contact a qualified, positive reinforcement trainer for guidance.

More tips for introducing a cat to a new dog

Be proactive. Understand that some dog are known for having a high prey drive and have been hardwired or taught to chase small, furry things. For example, sighthounds like the Greyhound and Whippet are notorious for being difficult to safely integrate with cats. If you have cats or would like to have cats, do not bring home a new dog that is a breed or breed mix known for having a high prey drive.
If your dog shows serious aggression towards your cat and you are fearful for your cat’s safety, consult a professional immediately and separate them at all times. You might have to consider rehoming one or the other, but this is a last resort and should be considered only if both animals are stressed in the other’s presence, or a life is at risk.
Always give your cat a safe, dog-free area to hide in when she needs a break. She must have dog-free access to her food, water, and litter box at all times.
Cats prefer to be above the rest of the activity in the house, so consider cat trees for her in her safe area (should the dog accidentally get in) and in other areas of the house.
Never leave a cat and a dog alone together, unsupervised, until you are sure they accept one another and do not pose a threat.
Do not declaw your cat as this is a cruel procedure that actually amputates part of the cat’s toe, involves a painful recovery, and usually leads to significant behavior stresses for your cat.
Do keep the sharp edges of your cat's claws trimmed down.
Be sure your dog gets the attention, exercise, and training that he needs as he settles in, and that your cat continues to get the attention and consistency that she needs.

Introducing a dog to a new cat

Safely introducing your dog to a new cat

Be proactive. Teach your dog a reliable "leave it" cue before bringing the cat home. Test this cue using toys that move, furry-looking toys, and high-value items your dog likes.
Arrange for separate spaces for your new cat. This could be a room or area of the house that can be completely closed off. The space should contain your cat’s litter box, food, and water and be considered dog-free for a while.
Cats usually need a few days to adjust to new surroundings, so let your cat settle into your home before introducing her to your dog. Let your dog and cat smell each other through the doorway of the cat’s safe room. You might do this for a few days. If your dog is not overly excited by the cat’s smell behind the door, you can let them see each other with a barrier between them. Arrange for the first ‘meeting’ using a gate between your dog and cat, with your cat in her safe room behind the gate and your dog on a leash, a few feet or more away from the gate.
Keep your dog on a leash during all initial ‘introductions’. A dog can easily injure or kill a cat, even in play.
Slow introductions are the key to long-term success. Walk your dog past the cat’s room several times a day, with the door open but the gate up. Give your dog a treat each time he walks past the cat calmly.
Never yell at your dog or use physical punishment for any behaviors towards the cat that you dislike. Focus on rewarding good interactions and removing your dog if he gets overstimulated.
Never force your cat or dog to get closer than either is comfortable with.
When you can walk your dog past the cat with calm behavior, let him look at her for a few seconds, and reward him with a treat or calm, polite behavior around the cat. Keep these sessions short at first, maybe just a few minutes at a time, and work up to longer exposures.
Don’t be surprised if your dog wants to play with your cat or try to chase her. These are normal behaviors but must be interrupted immediately by consistently removing the dog from the room if he gets overstimulated and tries to chase.
Always immediately interrupt any chasing or barking by removing your dog from the room or area until he is calm. If he’s unable to calm down within a few minutes, end the training session and try again another day.
Over a few days, or maybe even weeks, you should be seeing calmer behavior from your dog. You can then try letting your cat out of her safe area, but keep your dog on a leash at first, and well away from the cat. Continue to reward your dog for calm behavior, and remember to practice his leave it cue.

If you aren’t seeing progress, contact a qualified, positive reinforcement trainer for guidance.

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