Mary R. Burch, Ph.D., director of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Family Dog Program, urges parents to choose dogs with calm temperaments and to prepare pets before introducing an infant to the household. Growing up with a dog can be beneficial for children, fostering social and emotional development.

Temperament, socialization and training matter more than breed alone, Burch says, and families should take deliberate steps so dogs and babies can coexist safely. Good Housekeeping published practical guidance that pairs expert advice with everyday examples of dogs and newborns in the home. Ensuring a dog is properly socialized involves gradual introductions to the baby’s scent and sights, which can significantly reduce anxiety for both the dog and child.

Owners should begin acclimating a dog to the idea of a baby before the infant arrives. “Bring home a blanket with the baby’s scent so your dog becomes accustomed to it,” Burch advises, a simple step that helps a dog accept new smells without being startled on arrival. This gradual introduction helps foster considerate and prosocial behaviors in the child as the relationship develops.

Training remains central. Burch stresses basic obedience, telling owners to make sure a dog will follow commands like sit, stay and down before unsupervised contact with an infant. Families should prioritize a dog’s temperament, energy level, and trainability—considerations that can help ensure a better match with children. She adds a broader temperament test: “Look for one with a reputation for being gentle, patient, adaptable, and friendly,” advice aimed at families weighing whether a particular dog fits a household with very young children.

Newly Published Study Shows Young Children with Pet Dogs Fare … Practical management matters once baby and dog meet. “Give your pooch plenty of exercise so they’re more relaxed and keep them on a leash for safety,” Burch says, and she underscores a strict rule for caregivers: “Never leave your dog with your baby unattended.” Parents should maintain strict supervision during initial meetings, as they lay the groundwork for a steady rapport between the dog and baby.

Everyday scenes show why preparation helps. One household described a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as “curious and extra gentle,” while a 90-pound lab initially took an “if I ignore it, it’ll go away” approach—until the baby started crawling, after which affectionate contact intensified into what the family called “open kissing season.” Another parent recalled infants pulling at fur and delivering full‑body hugs; those images illustrate how quickly interactions can escalate and why supervision is essential for ensuring safety and comfort for both parties.

Families deciding on a dog for a home with an infant can find the AKC perspective useful alongside consumer advice and practical how‑tos. Good Housekeeping gathered expert quotes and household anecdotes to illustrate approaches that sync temperament with training and management. For step‑by‑step introductions and expanded tips on gradually socializing a dog to a new baby’s routines, resources such as Enzosacres outline controlled scent and sight introductions and supervised, reward‑based practice.

Skilling a dog in advance and controlling early encounters reduces stress for both animal and child. Burch’s recommendations place emphasis on predictable behavior, incremental exposure and consistent boundaries so that dogs understand what calm, acceptable behavior looks like around infants. These efforts cultivate a nurturing environment where children can thrive socially and emotionally.

The guidance is framed as preventive work rather than a one‑time fix: select a dog known for patience, prepare the household with scent and training, and manage the first contacts closely. Families who follow those steps aim to turn awkward first meetings into steady, supervised relationships that evolve as children grow, ultimately enriching their lives and promoting emotional well-being.”

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