Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide
When expecting parents call me for help in preparing their dog for their new baby, what do you think is their biggest concern?
If you guessed safety, you’d be 100% correct! How to make sure their new baby is safe with the dog is usually the first question they ask me, and when I hear that question, I’m always glad that they asked, because safety should be the number one priority with a dog and a new baby.
Luckily, there are many ways to prepare your dog for a baby before the baby arrives, and doing so will make certain that you know how to keep things safe. It’s ideal if you have several months to work with your dog before your baby arrives, so your dog has time to get accustomed to the new routine. But if your baby is due sooner than that, don’t despair! Just do your best, and then continue to work with your dog after your baby is born.
Let’s talk about three important areas of baby care: sleeping, eating and playing.
ASSESSING YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR
The first step in preparing your dog for your new baby is to consider your dog’s temperament and become aware of any of your dog’s habits that might not work well with a baby. Then make a plan for changing your dog’s behavior. Want help figuring it out? Email me at jane@yourdogandbaby.com for a free Checklist that will give you valuable information to help you predict how your dog is likely to react to your new baby. The Checklist is free and you can get it today. Just put the word Checklist in the subject line and I’ll send it right out to you!
The Checklist will help you look at your dog’s overall behavior and reactions and will identify any behaviors to address before your baby arrives.
A BRIEF EXAMPLE
Sally and Jim had always known they should teach their dog Rover not to jump on them, bark at visitors, and steal food from the kitchen counters. But they were busy, and again and again postponed working with Rover to teach him to be calmer and more responsive to them. Instead, they resorted to pulling him off them when he jumped repeatedly, they yelled at him to stop barking when the doorbell rang (that didn’t work at all!) and they tried their best to remember to keep food off the kitchen counters.
Their efforts were stunningly ineffective: Rover continued to jump on them and other people as well, he barked incessantly when visitors came to the house, and he developed great expertise in getting food that was within his reach.
Planning on a new baby made all the difference for Sally and Jim. As they thought about life with a newborn, they knew that Rover’s behavior would be more annoying than ever and could become a daily problem. They resolved to make important changes and teach Rover better behavior.
Does any of this sounds familiar to you? Here are so ways to help your dog feel more comfortable when your LO arrives!
A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUR DOG
All dogs, especially dogs who live with a baby or toddler, benefit greatly from having a space of their own, a comfortable, cozy place they can enjoy when they need some distance from baby activity, or just want a quiet place to chill out and take a nap.
That space can be any place that your dog likes, as long as it’s a baby-free space, perhaps a separate room or a favorite spot that’s off limits to the baby. Keep your dog’s toys there, add a comfortable dog bed, and make sure it’s a quiet place so your dog can relax. Adding treats for your dog to find on his own will make that space even more attractive to him.
BABY SOUNDS
Crying baby sounds are easy to find on Youtube, and playing those sounds can help your dog get used to them. It’s not uncommon for dogs to be startled or frightened when they hear babies cry, so start playing those sounds at a very low volume and for just a few seconds. If your dog seems nervous about the new sounds, reduce the volume even more, until your dog relaxes.
Watch your dog, and if he remains relaxed, gradually increase the volume and duration. Tossing him some treats at the same time can help too; just make sure your dog is really relaxed when you give him those treats.
DECIDE WHERE YOU’LL DO BABY CARE
It’s helpful to go through your home and plan where you’ll feed your baby, change diapers, put the baby down for a nap, and have tummy time and play time. Then think about where your dog will be during those times.
Before baby arrives is a good time to consider baby gates and other ways to keep your dog separated from your baby when you can’t be right there to supervise, especially if you’re busy caring for your baby.
HAS YOUR DOG EVER SEEN A BABY?
Many dogs have never even seen a young baby, so if your baby is the first one that your dog will encounter, or you’re not sure if he’s been exposed to babies before you adopted him, he may be surprised and uncertain about what the baby actually is. Babies make sounds that are different from those of older children or adults, babies’ scent is different, and they move differently. All this means an adjustment for your dog, so if you have friends with babies, it will help your dog to be exposed to a baby before you bring your own little one home.
If you’re able to get together with a family with a baby, keep your dog on leash and at a safe distance from the baby or toddler; your dog does not need to have close, direct contact. He’ll know the baby is there, and that’s enough to begin introducing him to babies.
RECAP
Assess your dog’s behavior to pinpoint any problem areas.
Make a safe space where your dog can take time away from your baby.
Play sounds of baby crying, softly and briefly, so your dog gets used to those sounds.
Think about where you’ll do baby care and where your dog will be during those times.
If possible, arrange for your dog to be near a baby.
Don’t forget to email me at jane@yourdogandbaby.com if you want that free Checklist, and if you need help with your dog, let me know at jane@yourdogandbaby.com.