Tips for Bringing a Newborn Home to Your Dog

When introducing your fur baby to your newborn, it can be nerve-wracking trying to find the perfect way to make the transition as easy as possible for your pooch. They are going to have to live together for a long time so it’s best to ensure their relationship starts off on the right foot.

Here are our top tips for bringing a newborn home to your dog.

Stay on Schedule

Your dog has gotten used to a certain way of doing things in your house. If a new baby shows up and everything about your dog’s routine is suddenly different, you may notice some anxiety or behavior changes in dogs.

To combat this problem, start adjusting your dog’s schedule a few months before the baby comes a little bit at a time.

For example, if you think you will take your baby out in the stroller at a different time than you currently take your dog on a walk, slowly start transitioning to that new time. Or, if bedtime is going to change, start adapting your dog to the new times.

This will ensure a smooth transition when the baby arrives.

Let Your Dog Explore

As you begin preparing for the arrival of your baby, let Fido explore all of the new objects and items that are going to be entering your house. For example, a stroller may be a foreign object to your dog. Once you get it all set up, let your dog sniff and explore the stroller and see it in action. This way it won’t scare your dog once it has a baby in it every day.

Set Boundaries

Are there boundaries you need to set before the baby comes? Is your dog going to be allowed in the nursery? Or maybe you don’t want your dog to be anywhere near a high chair down the road when food is being thrown on the floor. Slowly start enforcing some boundaries with your dog so they don’t feel like they are being excluded when the family is hanging out somewhere they can’t be.

The Introduction

When you are ready to bring your baby home, make sure you spend some time getting your dog’s extra energy out so they are a little tired when the time comes.

Then, when you get home, one parent at a time should enter the home to greet the dog individually while the other parent stays with the baby outside or in the car.

When you eventually bring the baby inside, keep your pup on a leash and less your dog sniff from a distance. It is important for all humans to be calm during this interaction so as to not rile up the dog.

Do not rush this introduction. If your dog doesn’t seem to be doing great, hold off on the introductions for a few days, keeping them apart from each other. It is important to establish healthy boundaries for the safety of the baby and of the dog.

Remember, take things slow and be patient. They may not be besties right off the bat!

Give Your Dog Lots of Love

Remember, your dog just went through a major life change, so be patient if they seem to be struggling, and give them extra love whenever you can. This is only the beginning of a beautiful friendship!