Bringing a new baby home comes with many changes to your life.
But when you have a dog, those changes affect them as well.
To make things less stressful for your dog, start preparing your dog for the arrival of the baby.
Thankfully there are several things you can do to prepare your dog for when the baby arrives.
Preparations Before Baby Arrives
As you countdown to the day your newborn arrives, prepare your dog for the big change to help reduce the stress they may feel.
Set up Furniture
Start with moving around current furniture that is in the way of the new furniture you will need for the baby.
Then set up any new furniture you have for the baby, like the bassinet, crib, rocking chair, swing, etc.
Try to do this at least a week or two before the baby comes home.
This will help your dog adjust to any home changes that will happen because of the baby.
Changes in Routine
Next, consider the daily routine your dog is used to.
With the arrival of a baby, you will need to set a new routine, one that involves the needs of your baby and dog.
Babies, especially newborns, require a lot of attention and frequent feedings, which may change when your dog is fed or goes for walks.
To limit this change, you can have one person care for the baby, while the other takes care of the dog.
If your dog is used to one specific person feeding them and taking them for their walks, it is best to get them used to the other person doing some of that care before the baby comes.
This is especially important if Mom is the one that does most of the dog care.
By getting your dog used to schedule changes and any change in who takes care of them before the baby arrives, you reduce the chances of your dog thinking the baby is the reason for the change.
Practice Obedience Training
No matter how well-trained your dog is, it is still a good idea to practice their training frequently before the baby comes home.
Practicing basic commands like “sit” and “stay” before the baby’s arrival will make it much more likely that your dog will listen during their interactions with the baby.
Introduce Baby Smells
Another thing you can do before the baby arrives is to introduce some baby smells to your dog.
Before the birth of your baby, you are limited to the smells of baby products, like baby lotion and baby wash.
Put some baby lotion on your hands and let your dog sniff them.
Once the baby has been born, you can bring home something that has the baby’s scent, like a blanket or diaper, and let your dog sniff that before you bring the baby into the house.
Consider a Dog Walker
Lastly, consider hiring a reliable dog walker or asking a friend to help with walks after the baby’s birth.
This allows your dog to maintain its exercise needs without you needing to take them for their walks.
Whether you use a dog walker or not, make sure to give your dog lots of attention every day so they don’t feel like they are being replaced.
Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog
Creating a haven for your dog is essential as you welcome a newborn into your home.
This area affords them a sense of security and allows them to retreat when they need solitude or are feeling overwhelmed by the new smells, sounds, and changes a baby introduces.
Begin by choosing a quiet room in your home that your dog can go to on their own.
Equip this space with a comfortable dog bed or a crate, perhaps draped with a familiar blanket or filled with their favorite toys, to establish a comforting environment.
Your dog’s safe space is for them and you should keep the baby out of that area.
If you don’t have an extra room, your dog’s crate can serve as their safe space.
Just be sure to keep the baby out of it as they become more mobile.
Understanding Dog Body Language
As you prepare to introduce your dog to a newborn, understanding their body language becomes very important.
Dogs communicate primarily through physical cues and signals, and recognizing these signs is key to preventing accidents.
An anxious or stressed dog might exhibit certain behaviors, such as excessive panting, pacing, avoiding eye contact, or tucking their tail.
Acknowledging these signs early allows you to respond promptly, creating a more comfortable environment for both your pet and your baby.
For instance, if your dog becomes overly fixated on the baby or starts whining, this might indicate unease or curiosity that needs to be addressed.
On the flip side, relaxed ears, a wagging tail, and a gentle approach suggest that your dog is in a content and friendly state.
By reading these signals right, you can guide interactions to be positive and constructive.
Dogs thrive on predictability, and a calm, consistent approach from you can make all the difference.
Do not dismiss subtle shifts in your dog’s demeanor, as they can escalate if overlooked.
Should your pet display signs of discomfort, such as shying away from the baby or growling, take a step back and reassess the situation.
Provide a peaceful retreat and use positive reinforcement to associate the baby’s presence with enjoyable experiences.
By respecting your dog’s communication, you lay the groundwork for a bond based on trust and understanding—a foundation upon which a lifetime of friendship can be built.
If your dog continues to be stressed about the baby after trying positive reinforcement, call your vet or dog trainer as they can provide advice specific to your dog.
Introducing the Baby
If possible, bring home a blanket or piece of clothing that the baby has worn before you bring the baby home.
Place these items near the dog, but don’t force interaction.
Let your dog approach them in their own time, and reward them with praise or a treat for calm sniffing.
This preliminary step sets a foundation for positive associations.
Schedule the initial introduction during a quiet time when the dog is well-exercised and less likely to be overexcited.
Keep your dog on a leash at first, even if they are generally well-behaved.
This measure ensures everyone’s safety.
Have another adult present, so one can focus on the dog while the other holds the baby.
Keep the dog at a safe distance, allowing them to observe and sniff if they show calm interest.
Reward their good behavior with treats.
Limit first encounters to a few minutes, gradually increasing the time as the dog becomes more comfortable.
Never leave the dog and baby alone together and always supervise interactions.
If your dog shows signs of stress or aggression, back up a step in the process and try again later, perhaps after some play or a walk to expend energy.
Over successive days, continue short, supervised sessions where the dog can be near the baby, always reinforcing their calm behavior with treats and praise.
As trust builds, you can allow closer contact, but remember this process cannot be rushed.
Your patience will be rewarded with a strong, loving bond between your dog and your child.
Managing New Experiences
Before the little one arrives, let your dog investigate new items in a controlled manner.
Begin with the baby’s furniture and toys, positioning them around your home.
Give your dog time to sniff and explore these additions at their own pace, while you maintain a watchful eye to redirect any undesirable behaviors.
Praise your dog and offer treats for calm inspection of these objects to establish a positive association.
It’s also wise to familiarize your dog with new sounds that will become regular once the baby is home.
Recordings of a baby crying, gurgling, or cooing can be played at a low volume initially, gradually increasing over time.
Observe your dog’s response, offering praise and tasty treats for calm behavior.
This gradual introduction helps your pet acclimate to these noises without becoming overwhelmed or fearful, reducing the chance of a negative reaction to the actual sounds later on.
Layer these experiences with comforting routines.
Encourage your dog’s calm interest in baby items by placing their favorite blanket or a new toy nearby.
This strategy infuses their environment with familiarity and comfort, offsetting the intrusion of unfamiliar baby scents and items.
Keep these sessions brief and positive, ending each before your dog shows signs of stress.
This sets a foundation for a peaceful coexistence once the baby joins the family dynamic.
As the Baby Grows
As your baby grows they will become mobile and will be able to get to the dog when previously they couldn’t.
This newfound mobility, while exciting for you and your baby, can become a new stressor for your dog.
A dog that is used to being able to lay a few feet away from baby and remain untouched, will suddenly find that baby can get to them and touch them.
It is very important that you provide constant supervision of the interactions between your baby and your dog when your baby first becomes mobile.
If your dog shows any signs of stress, encourage them to move away from the baby or pick the baby up, whichever will work better for the situation.
Having a space for your dog that your baby can’t get is especially important once your baby becomes mobile.
You can do this by using a baby gate to keep your dog and baby separated or by using your dog’s crate as their safe space.
When using the crate as their safe space, you will have to teach your baby that they can’t go in it.
This means constantly picking your baby up and moving them away from your dog’s crate whenever your baby gets to it.
And if your baby is anything like the babies I know, the dog crate will become a major fascination for them.
You will feel like you are constantly moving them away from it.
Give Your Dog Attention
This seems like a no-brainer, but make sure to make the time to give your dog plenty of attention.
Some behavioral issues can be from the fact that your dog will get less attention than they did before the baby came home.
By making sure to spend time with your dog, you can prevent issues caused by lack of attention.
The amount of time isn’t as important as the quality of time you are spending with them.
Practice dog training, play fetch, go for a walk, or just cuddle your dog.
Do the things your dog enjoys the most during this time with them.
Adjustment Period: Signs of Success
Adjusting to a newborn takes time for everyone, including your four-legged friend.
Patience is key as your dog navigates this significant change.
Remember, every dog reacts differently; some may take to babies quickly, while others need more time.
What if You Can’t Prepare Ahead of Time?
For most people, you will know when your baby is coming home, but sometimes it is less certain.
Your baby could be born early.
You could be a new foster home and have just a few hours’ notice that the baby will be coming to your house.
In situations where you don’t know when the baby is coming home, do the best you can.
If you know the baby will be coming at some point, set up the baby furniture.
If you can’t bring home something that smells like the baby before the baby comes home, oh well. Do the best you can.
Introduce the baby with one person holding the baby and another keeping an eye on the dog.
Let the dog sniff the baby.
I recently had a baby move into my house with only a couple of days’ notice and we were not able to bring anything that smelled like him home before he arrived.
We did the best we could. Three adults came with the baby to drop him off.
We had Luna and Morgan in their kennels while the other adults were there and while all the stuff that came with him was brought in.
Once the adults left, we let the dogs out of their kennels, one at a time.
We let each dog sniff the baby while my husband held the baby and I watched the dogs.
We did it that way because Luna listens to me better.
Since we had no idea when the baby would come home (took over a month longer than expected), we prepared the best we could.
We set up his crib in his room once we knew for sure he was coming here.
We set up his play yard in our room when we knew for sure what day he was coming.
Two nights before he came home we started putting Morgan in her kennel at night and locking Luna out of our room.
We wanted to limit the association of the baby with the temporary change in their sleeping arrangements.
Once we were certain the dogs were ok with the baby we started letting them sleep in their normal location again.
The only reason we changed it was baby was coming in the evening and would be sleeping in our room, where the dogs also sleep.
Thankfully, both Luna and Morgan did great and adjusted to the changes quickly.
Professional Help
While most dogs will adjust to a new baby with few issues, other dogs just can’t make that adjustment on their own.
If your dog is continually stressed and not adjusting to the new baby after several days, it’s time to bring in a professional dog trainer.
They can provide advice specific to your dog and situation that you can’t get any other way.
A visit to the vet may also help, as your dog could have an underlying health condition that is causing extra stress.
The vet can check your dog over and make sure that any issues you are having are not related to any health issues.
They can also recommend a dog trainer if you don’t have one already.
With consistency and patience, and help when needed, your dog and baby will become the best of friends.
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