You really want this interaction to go well. Forming a bond between your child and a pet dog can be a formative experience. It will teach them so many skills. From compassion and friendship, to how to look after another living thing. Growing up with a dog is one of the best experiences that life can give you. The memories that your child will share with your dog will last a lifetime.

1. Education

If this is your first dog then you will need to educate your kids on what they can and can’t do with this new member of the family. This is for their safety, as well as the safety of your new dog.

Teach children how to gently touch and pet animals. Children love cute puppies and animals, but they often don’t realize they are squeezing or pulling a dog’s coat. Far too often, children unintentionally hurt dogs which can result in bites or aggressive behaviour. You can help a child understand how to pet a dog by showing them through example.

2. The first meeting

You will need to tell your child that they need to let the dog come to them. This will let the dog meet their new little master on their own terms. The key words to emphasize are calm and patient. At the same time, you want your child to be as relaxed as possible, so make it all seem very easy and straightforward.

3. Let the dog sniff your child

This is a sort of handshake that must be done before anything else. This is how your dog will say hello. If you are introducing a baby to your dog, then you need to be very patient with them. In no time at all your dog will be smitten with your child and one of its fiercest protectors.

4. Avoid wild movements or loud sounds

Many children initially want to hug and squeeze dogs, but they need to remain calm. Sudden body movements can easily frighten a pooch and cause them to protect themselves by biting or nipping. This is easily avoided by encouraging your child to be calm and just enjoy meeting the dog.

5. Don’t wake up a dog to meet someone

We can all understand how cranky this would make us, let alone a dog. The expression, let sleeping dogs lie, has never been so literal.

6. …Or eating

If a dog is eating or drinking, let them finish before you try to introduce your children. You don’t want your dog to think that they are competing for food. A dog could also think that your child is the reason that they were told to stop eating. This doesn’t make for a particularly good first impression.

7. Watch the dog’s body language

Watch the dog’s tails and body expressions. If you notice his tail is rigid, his ears are back, and the fur on his back is sticking up, then you should approach with extreme caution. He is telling you he’s not sure if he is ready to greet your child.

8. Keep an eye on things

You should not leave your child unattended with your new dog. Even the nicest and most well-mannered dogs have been known to bite when their fur gets pulled, a leg gets bent the wrong way, a child sits on him, and more. To protect both the kid and the dog, it’s best to always be nearby and watching the two together. This is something that you won’t have to worry so much about as your child and the dog get older. It is, however, something that you should take very seriously in the beginning.