Preparing Your Dog for Your Baby’s Arrival – The Ultimate Guide
Wondering how to get your dog ready for your baby’s arrival? You’re not alone! In this blog post, I share practical tips and personal stories on how to prepare your furry friend for the newest family member.
Before I became a mom to Baby T, I was already a mom to Yuki and Rocko. When I found out I was pregnant, I was incredibly anxious about their future relationship. I’d heard too many horror stories about dogs not getting along with babies. One of my co-workers had to give away her chihuahua because it was aggressive towards her baby. The thought of something like that happening with Yuki or Rocko terrified me because they are my world. I even joked with my partner that if Yuki and Rocko didn’t get along with the baby, the baby would need to find another place to live. Obviously, it was just a joke, but I was dead serious about making sure my dogs stayed a part of our family.
Get Your Dog Ready Before the Baby’s Arrival
1. Going to the Vet
First things first, make sure your dogs are up to date with all their vaccinations and are free from parasites. Mark your calendar for yearly checkups. This is crucial for the health of both your pets and your baby.
2. Teaching Basic Commands
Next up, if your dogs aren’t already trained, now’s the time to teach them a few basic commands using positive reinforcement. This helps you communicate better with them and keep everyone safe. The commands I fine-tuned with my dogs were wait, down, leave it, go to bed, and good job. This last one is a lifesaver when you don’t have treats handy but still want to praise good behavior around the baby.
3. Making Areas Off-Limits
One big step is deciding which areas or behaviors should be off-limits for your dogs now that a baby is coming. For us, this meant changing sleeping arrangements. We used to let Yuki and Rocko sleep in our bed, but with a baby on the way, five beings in one bed sounded like a pajama party gone wrong! So, we stopped allowing them in our bed and added dog beds in our room. Every time they jumped on our bed, we’d use a progression of commands like down, go to bed, and good job, rewarding them with treats when they complied. It took about a month, but eventually, they were happy in their own beds. Starting early with off-limit areas is key to a smooth transition.
4. Creating Safe Zones
A dog trainer taught a couple in my community to make sure your dog has at least one safe zone—an area just for them where no one will bug them. This gives them a place to retreat whenever they feel uncomfortable. In our living room, we have a dog bed that’s their safe zone, and in our bedroom, they have their own beds and chairs. Safe zones also help with barking. When they start barking at something outside, we tell them in a positive tone to go to their beds, which helps them self-regulate and calm down. This became particularly helpful once Baby T became a lighter sleeper and uncontrolled barking would wake him up.
Using Props for Training…
We used several baby items to get the dogs used to them and make the transition smoother once the baby arrived. The next four tips center around the props we used.
6. … Teach to Leave The Baby
The first items we introduced were a play mat and a baby-sized doll dressed in a onesie. All these things were previously washed in the detergent we planned to use for Baby T, so they could get familiar with that smell too. We’d place the doll on the play mat and practice commands with Yuki and Rocko. First, we taught them to respect the space. We’d say “leave it” and place treats inside the mat but not allow them near the doll. They learned the play mat was a no-go zone. We also simulated baby sounds by placing a phone under the doll playing crying sounds. Despite their curiosity, they learned to stay away when we told them to “leave it.”
7. … Exposure to Crying Baby
Another helpful tip from my friend’s dog trainer was to wrap the doll in a baby blanket with the crying phone. We’d then pick up the doll and shush it, pretending to soothe it while staying happy and calm. This helped the dogs understand that crying is normal and not something to protect their humans from. We treated our dogs during these sessions to reinforce that baby-related activities are nothing to worry about.
8. … Show and Tell About the Belly
Another tip is to let your dog interact with the pregnant belly and tell them about the baby to come. In our case, Yuki didn’t notice the belly much, but Rocko loved to cuddle with it. Since he weighs less than 8 pounds, I’d let him rest his head on the belly and take a nap.
9. … Go On Walks Alongside a Stroller
Getting your dog used to walking next to a stroller will make it easier to include them on much-needed walks later. While our neighbors looked at us funny when we practiced with an empty stroller, it really helped Yuki and Rocko get accustomed to it.
Balance a Newborn and Pets
10. Managing the First Greet & Meet
The first meet is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Our plan was for me to come in first, pet the dogs, then switch with my partner, and then me bring in the baby. We’d sit on the couch and let Yuki and Rocko sniff him and fall in love at first sight. Simple, right?
Well, reality was a bit different. Our family greeted the dogs first. My partner said hello to them, then helped me with Baby T, who was a preemie on oxygen. The dogs sniffed the baby from afar but were more excited to see me. Maybe all those belly cuddles helped them feel they already knew the baby.
11. Assessing the Situation to Ensure Safety
Understanding your dogs’ reactions is crucial. Rocko was shy, so we didn’t push him. Yuki wanted to be all over Baby T, so we set boundaries, allowing her to lick only his feet. Fun science fact: kisses from healthy dogs might boost your baby’s immune system!
12. Applying Gradual Desensitization
When Rocko got curious, I’d lie on a mattress with Baby T between my legs, letting Rocko sniff him while feeling safe. Rocko would sniff and then run away, but little by little, he stayed longer. This gradual approach helps dogs adjust to new baby sounds, smells, and movements.
13. Having a Dog-Free Room
For the first few months, we never left Baby T unattended with the dogs. We installed a baby gate in Baby T’s room for peace of mind, so we could take breaks, like going to the bathroom, without worry.
14. Giving Attention to Dogs
Yuki and Rocko were used to cuddling with us, so we maintained that connection. We napped in the guest bedroom or on the couch with them. During breastfeeding sessions, they nestled by my feet, feeling included and loved.
15. Keeping Some Routines Intact
We kept as many routines for the dogs as we could, like feeding them with puzzle toys for mental stimulation. Studies show that maintaining routines helps reduce anxiety and behavioral issues in dogs.
16. Rewarding Good Behavior
When the dogs were calm around Baby T, we rewarded them with treats or verbal praises. We also rewarded Yuki’s newfound talent; she became our unofficial diaper checker! We realized that if Yuki sniffed Baby T’s diaper for at least five seconds and then gave us that intense “do something” look, it was time for a poopy diaper change. Nine times out of ten, she was right. It was like having our very own furry nanny, minus the paychecks!
17. Finding New Shared Activities to Exercise
In the early months, we included the dogs in activities with Baby T. We played soccer with Yuki and tossed the ball for Rocko while Baby T watched from his stroller. Once we could go for walks, I’d take Baby T and the dogs together. When I started running again, I’d run with Rocko, then cool down with a walk with Yuki, giving them one-on-one time with me.
Ensure Respect and Fun for All Moving Parties
18. Requesting Gentleness from All
As Baby T started moving around and wanting to hug Yuki at six months, it was crucial to ensure gentleness from everyone involved. I made sure to be there, observing Yuki’s reactions. She never growled or got aggressive, even when Baby T grabbed her a bit too rough. She’d either walk away or give him a gentle lick, and I’d praise her for being so patient. If Baby T wasn’t okay with the licking, he’d push her away gently, and she’d respect his space (at least for that session).
To help Baby T learn gentleness, I’d model how to pet Yuki softly, saying “soft” while doing it. It took a few months, but now he’s a pro at gentle petting. Fun science fact: A study published in Applied Developmental Science found that children with pets tend to have higher levels of empathy and social interaction. Makes sense given all these sweet interactions!
Rocko, on the other hand, would get nervous and start barking with all Baby T’s movements. Instead of telling him not to bark, we’d redirect him to his bed. Barking is his way of expressing himself, and suppressing that could lead to biting. Eventually, Rocko learned to retreat to his safe zone when he felt overwhelmed. It’s like he found his own little doggie Zen retreat.
Experimenting with More Family Activities Like…
As your baby develops and you get more comfortable with their relationship with your dog, you can start dreaming up new family activities.
19. … Playing Together
We love going to the park. Baby T crawls around while we play ball with the dogs, ensuring no one gets hit. This setup works well and lets us all enjoy our time together.
Playing fetch has strengthened Baby T and Rocko’s bond. Baby T improves his motor skills, and Rocko gets an on-demand ball launcher, albeit a low-power one.
Yuki and Baby T have their own routine. We do spa time in an assembly line: Yuki licks my feet while Baby T gives her a shiatsu massage. They also enjoy watching out the window together. I think Baby T might start learning how to bark soon!
Baby T also hosts “boxing matches,” watching from the sidelines while Yuki and Rocko roughhouse in his room. It’s like having front-row seats to the cutest UFC match ever.
20. … Meal Times
When Baby T started baby-led weaning, our dogs were thrilled. They turned into little food sharks, eagerly waiting for Baby T to drop food. Rocko would fetch the fallen goodies. We avoid feeding them toxic foods like grapes and minimize the use of garlic and onions. While we could have taught the dogs not to eat the floor food, we decided to embrace the imperfection and enjoy the bond it created between them.
In a baby dog nutshell…
Incorporating a new baby into a home with dogs requires patience, training, and understanding. Every dog and family is unique, so it’s important to find what works best for you. Making sure your dog still feels loved and included is crucial. Gradually introducing them to the baby can lead to a harmonious and safe environment for all.
Remember, whenever you or your child feel overwhelmed, petting dogs can lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, the bonding hormone. It’s science, and it’s adorable!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any other pet and baby-friendly family activities you do or would like to try. I’d love to hear from you!
