Introducing your baby to your dog

If you’re a pet parent about to become a human parent, you’ll want to start thinking about how to acclimate your dog to the little one. Introducing babies and dogs can be nerve-wracking, but proper planning and preparation can keep things stress-free.

It’s easy to think of worst-case scenarios when it comes to babies and dogs living together. The anxiety you feel, however, can quickly relay to your dog, making them wonder if they should be anxious, too.

Rather than continuously thinking about what could go wrong, try to keep stress levels low leading up to the baby’s arrival. This will keep your dog calmer and, hopefully, make the actual introduction go more smoothly when the time comes.

Teach your dog basic training and commands, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “place,” before the baby comes. Having these on hand will allow slow, structured introductions and can give your dog a release spot away from everyone to decompress.

Consider crate training

Place training gives your dog a place to relax while in the same room as you and the baby. Crate training offers them another spot to really decompress during the day and/or night. The crate can feel like a safe space for your dog, away from the hustle and bustle of caring for a newborn.

Crates can also take away the possibility of food aggression — feed your dog in their crate, away from baby’s grabby hands once they start crawling — and remove the opportunity of your dog getting into the baby’s things if you leave the house.

Many people suggest letting your dog smell your newborn’s blanket before bringing them home. While this is a fine idea, doing just that isn’t enough.

You’ll be bringing home a variety of new scents for your pup to get used to, and you can start much earlier to get them acquainted with these new smells around the house.

• baby lotion⁠
• diapers (clean ones, too!)
• milk or formula
• clothes or bags from the hospital
• any other smells relating to the baby

Use calming aids

Try out different calming aids with your dog, such as calming sprays or chews. These can help take the edge off if your dog experiences anxiety during the changing routine at home.

The big day is here — it’s time to bring your baby home. Rather than simply walking inside and letting your dog come face-to-face with your newborn, here are some precautionary steps to take:

1. Say hi to your pup alone first. Before bringing your baby inside, take turns greeting Fido to lower excitement levels.
2. Once inside, secure your baby away from your dog. If your pup tends to jump, keep them on a leash until your baby is secure, then let them off to sniff the house and get familiar with the new smell.
3. Hold the baby and let your dog approach. Give them a sniff or two, then toss a few treats on the ground away from you. Do this a few times to set up some positive reinforcement Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources with the baby.
4. Watch your pup’s body language the whole time. If they start getting anxious or seem overwhelmed, it may be best to take them for a walk or give them a break in their crate.
5. Repeat until your dog gets comfortable with the baby. Generally, your pup shouldn’t pay much mind to them after a while, which is the end goal.

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s easy for stress and anxiety levels to rise in everyone — including Fido. This can lead to behavioral issues like jealousy, resource guarding, or aggression overall.

If any of these things happen, it’s important to look at the overall situation. Avoid disciplining your dog (anger and fear are never the answers) and start thinking about what might be causing it.

• Is your dog getting enough sleep? Just like parents, your dog’s sleep schedule is likely to change when the baby arrives. Give them extra time in their crate or in a safe spot away from the baby to rest.
• Has your dog gotten any one-on-one time with you? Keep a regular schedule of personal time with your dog to remind them that they’re still loved and important.
• Did something change in the house or routine that spooked your dog? Bringing home a baby is a huge upheaval to your dog’s life, and what they’re used to may no longer look the same. This can lead to excess stress and potentially having your dog lash out.

Starting a new life with a baby is a major adjustment for any parents — and equally so for the dog(s) in your life. By planning and preparing well in advance, families can make two-legged and four-legged introductions smooth and easy. The most important thing is patience. Everyone is learning what this new life will look like, including your pup.