We will never post without your permission, and we'll always keep your information private.
Psst Are you a brand, artist, shelter, or dog looking to get on Dogly?
Click Here:
There are so many ways you can make the adjustment to a new baby smoother for your pup and help get your dog properly accustomed to all things baby long before your baby arrives.
Most dogs are creatures of habit, so the sudden appearance of unfamiliar, baby-related contraptions can be disconcerting. As you begin adding equipment prior to your baby's arrival, help get your dog accustomed to each of these mysterious new things (some with moving parts and wheels!).
Bring in items like a baby gate, swing, car seat, and stroller one at a time and allow your dog to work through any curiosity under your supervision. As your baby begins to become a more mobile young child, you'll have more new things for your dog to process but your pup will have a more go-with-the-flow attitude then.
Note: You don't want to scatter treats around the baby equipment. It shouldn't feel rewarding to your dog to hang out around the equipment since you won't want that once the baby arrives. You simply want it to be no big deal and more rewarding to come to you.
Dogs thrive on predictability, and if you could swear your dog can tell time -- especially for meals -- you're not alone. Congrats on giving your dog the comfort of a regular schedule! Needless to say, once you bring your baby home, your schedule has a way of going out the window.
How can you help your dog get comfortable with shifts in schedules? Rather than your dog's schedule being time bound, you're going to make it event bound.
If you think you'll need to supplement your dog's walks with a dog walker, get your pup used to and happy with a good walker now. Whether you think your baby will be sleeping in the same room with you to start or in the baby's room, you'll want to plan your dog's sleeping arrangements for safety when you're not awake now. Make any changes proactively so they're positive and happy for your pup.
The most important ones to have rock solid for when your baby is on the scene are the calm, still ones: sit, lie down, stay, go to mat (or dog bed, etc), and come. This is a good time to refresh your pup's manners if necessary and be sure your dog's behavior and response to cues is solid even in a different context than the pre-baby norm.
If your dog already tends to feel anxious and show fearful behaviors, you'll want to plan how you can support your pup to feel more secure and comfortable now and after the baby arrives.
There are many natural ways to make your home environment feel more calming, safe, and comfortable for your anxious pup:
You probably won't have many visitors at first with your new baby, but eventually that bubble will open up and you'll have more people coming to your home as usual, maybe even more so. Now is a good time to ask yourself, "How does my dog typically respond to visitors?" Does your pup bark, jump, or behave in other less than calm ways?
If you're usually managing or holding your dog back when someone arrives, you won't be able to do that with a baby in your arms. That's why it's good to get an early start on making sure your dog is in good shape with greeting manners.
Practice greeting skills with your pup now before you'll have the additional demands on your attention that come with a new babe. If you need a refresher, the guides on greeting, jumping, etc in the manners channel are a great place to get your dog all set!
DISCLAIMER: The content of this website and community is based on the research, expertise, and views of each respective author. Information here is not intended to replace your one-on-one relationship with your veterinarian, but as a sharing of information and knowledge to help arm dog parents to make more informed choices. We encourage you to make health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with your vet. In cases of distress, medical issues, or emergency, always consult your veterinarian.