Preparing Your Dog For A Baby

Expecting a baby is an exciting time, but it's also a huge adjustment for every member of the family, including your dog. Taking the time to plan ahead-before the baby comes-can make the transition smoother and help everyone feel more comfortable.

Why You Should Prepare Your Dog Before the Baby Arrives

Dogs thrive on routine. When a newborn comes home, schedules change, visitors stop by more often, and unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds become part of everyday life. Preparing your dog before your baby's arrival helps reduce anxiety, prevent unwanted behaviors, and creates a safer environment for your child and your dog.

Also, the earlier you begin, the more time your dog has to adjust.  I recommend starting immediately after you discover that you’re pregnant.

Start Adjusting Your Dog's Routine

If it’s possible, keep the same times for feeding, walks, playtime, etc. after the baby comes.  But if they will occur at different times after your baby arrives, begin making those adjustments now. Small changes introduced gradually are much easier for dogs to accept than sudden changes overnight.

One of the easiest ways to prepare your dog for a new baby is by gradually changing their daily schedule several weeks before your due date.

Refresh Basic Obedience Training

Good manners become even more important once there's a newborn in the home.

Your dog should reliably respond to cues such as:

• Sit

• Down

• Stay

• Leave it

• Place

• Come

These behaviors help you safely manage your dog while feeding the baby, changing diapers, greeting visitors, or simply moving around the house. 

For instance, if you don’t want your dog in the baby’s room, your dog can “place” on a mat or carpet outside of the baby’s room while you’re putting them down for a nap, etc. 

Introduce Baby Sights and Sounds

Dogs often react negatively to unfamiliar objects and noises. Help your dog become comfortable with baby gear before your little one arrives.

Practice with:

• Strollers

• Swings

• Car seats

• Baby carriers

• Cribs

• Baby toys

  
  

You can also play recordings of babies crying at a low volume while rewarding calm behavior. Slowly increase the volume over several training sessions to build positive associations.

Carry a doll around and treat it like you would a baby, sitting on the sofa, moving around so the dog doesn’t trip you, etc.

After you have the baby, rub a cloth on it and then put it under the dog’s food bowl to associate good things with the baby’s smell.

Teach Boundaries Before Baby Comes Home

If certain rooms, like the nursery, will be off-limits, start teaching those boundaries now.

Install baby gates early so your dog has time to get used to them. 

Keep Your Dog Physically and Mentally Active

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Continue providing daily exercise and mental enrichment through:

• Walks

• Puzzle toys

• Short training sessions

• Interactive games

Keeping your dog engaged helps reduce stress and prevents boredom-related behaviors.

Introducing Your Dog to Your New Baby

The first introduction should be calm and controlled.

Once everyone is settled, introduce your baby while keeping your dog on a leash if necessary or have a baby gate between you, the baby, and your dog.

Reward calm behavior with praise and treats. Never force interactions, and always allow your dog to move away if they choose.  Keep enough distance between the baby and the dog until the dog shows calm body language.

Remember that no dog, regardless of breed or temperament, should ever be left alone with an infant.

Continue Giving Your Dog Individual Attention

Many dogs struggle because they suddenly receive much less attention after a baby arrives.

Even 10–15 minutes each day spent walking, playing, or cuddling with your dog can help reassure them that they're still an important member of the family.

Professional Dog Training Can Make the Transition Easier

If you're expecting a baby and want to prepare your dog for a new baby with confidence, professional training can make all the difference.

At The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care, we provide personalized in-home dog training throughout Roanoke, Virginia, helping families build good manners, reliable obedience, and calm behavior before their baby arrives.

Ready to prepare your dog for your growing family?

Visit us at www.thewell-traineddog.com/dog-training and then contact us at (540) 353-2485 or info@thewell-traineddog.com. 

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Beverly Amsler is the owner of The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care. She has been a professional dog trainer, dog walker, and pet sitter since 2014.  Beverly is a Certified Dog Trainer through the Victoria Stilwell Academy and a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through Pet Sitters International.  She is a member of the Texas Pet Sitters Association and the Association For Professional Dog Training.  Before starting her business, Beverly spent more than 30 years as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, and Utah. Learn more about Beverly.