Prepare Before Baby Arrives
Bringing home a new baby is a big deal for all involved! We humans have the benefit of knowing well in advance that a baby is coming. Usually, anywhere between 7-6 months in advance. Our dogs, on the other hand, do not have any idea what changes lie ahead. Are dogs intuitive and feel shifts that come along with pregnancy? Absolutely. Is that enough to prepare for having a new baby in their lives? No way. The great news is we can recognize this and help them prepare for the changes that lie ahead.
Baby Gates and Spaces
I always recommend having spaces blocked off that are Baby Only spaces. This could be the nursery, playroom or a section of a room where the dog(s) have limited access to.
The Benefits to Baby Only Spaces:
Baby Noises and Objects
With babies come new noises and gear! From baby cries to loud toys to new, moving devices, a lot of this will be new to your dog. It is good to slowly introduce these to your dog(s) before the baby arrives so as to not overwhelm them all at once.
Baby Holding
It will be a new experience for you to be giving attention to a small, squeaky, smelly object in your arms. It is helpful to practice walking around with, passing to one another and talking to a fake baby or rolled up blanket. This will allow you to observe how your dog will react and then reward acceptable behavior from your dog around the baby.
Practice these exercises randomly throughout the day.
Stroller Walking
Your dog should know loose leash walking before walking them with a baby/stroller. Most dogs learn to walk alongside the stroller with only a little bit of practice. If your dog is already out of control, reactive and/or pulling on walks, I recommend you speak with and hire a trainer to get some basics in before walking them with your baby/stroller.
Commands To Brush Up On
The key to curbing undesirable behavior in dogs is to ensure they have a tool box full of desirable, alternative behaviors and commands they know well and can perform under the three D’s. Distance, duration and distraction.
Sit
Down
Stay
Place/Go to Bed (station)
Off (couch and furniture)
Wait
With Me or Heel
Leave It
Hospital Plan
Less than 10% of babies are born on their due date. Don’t wait until the last minute to have a plan in place for when you go into labor and potentially in the hospital for an extended period of time.
Baby Gates and Spaces
I always recommend having spaces blocked off that are Baby Only spaces. This could be the nursery, playroom or a section of a room where the dog(s) have limited access to.
- Consider putting baby gates up to prevent your dog from entering these spaces.
- Begin going into these spaces regularly without your dog before the baby arrives.
- Toss treats to your dog outside the gate/space to reward calm separation.
- You may give them a lick mat, chew bone or snuffle mat to help promote calm while you are in the Baby Only space.
- Hold a baby doll or rolled up blanket in your arms and softly speak to it to get your dog used to you giving attention to something else in these spaces. (more on this below)
The Benefits to Baby Only Spaces:
- A continuously clean space without dog hair, dirt from paws or drool.
- A safe space for you to lay the baby on the floor and you can relax without monitoring dog(s) and baby.
- Some dogs love to eat or rip dirty diapers and may reach into the garbage for them. Keep a locked garbage in the gated room to ensure your dogs aren’t sneaking in when you are not around.
- Dog(s) can observe the baby through the gate at a safe distance.
- Prevent the dog(s) from chewing baby toys or laying on baby blankets.
Baby Noises and Objects
With babies come new noises and gear! From baby cries to loud toys to new, moving devices, a lot of this will be new to your dog. It is good to slowly introduce these to your dog(s) before the baby arrives so as to not overwhelm them all at once.
- Noises
- Regularly play baby cooing and crying noises on your phone or speaker. Start on a lower volume and gradually raise it depending on your dogs comfort level. You may toss treats on the floor or give your a lick mat/chew bone while the noise is playing if you find your dog needs some relaxation from the noise.
- Toys may beep, vibrate or have noise makers that crinkle or clatter when shaken.
- Purchase these toys ahead of time and play/shake/move them regularly to get your dog used to the sounds. Use treats to create a positive association with these noises and toys.
- Furniture
- You may need to rearrange furniture to fit baby swing, bassinet or other baby devices which may cause your dog’s regular resting spaces to be moved. Do this a few months before the baby is set to arrive.
- Allow your dog to check out these new devices while they are stationary first and then moving/swinging.
- Once your dog has had a chance to check them out, practice and reward your dog for keeping their distance from it. Do not allow your dog to jump on or in these devices.
- Reward your dog by tossing treats on the ground and away from the devices.
- Practice the stationed Place or Go To Bed command with your dog in their dog bed.
Baby Holding
It will be a new experience for you to be giving attention to a small, squeaky, smelly object in your arms. It is helpful to practice walking around with, passing to one another and talking to a fake baby or rolled up blanket. This will allow you to observe how your dog will react and then reward acceptable behavior from your dog around the baby.
- Walking Around
- Consider getting your dog used to wearing a drag leash in the house. Buy a thin 6 ft lead and cut the loop off at the end. Let your dog drag it around the house regularly so it is not a novel experience. This allows you to gain control of your dog right away by picking up the lead and redirecting rather than collar grabbing.
- Simply roll up a blanket or buy a fake baby doll and wrap it in a blanket and hold it in your arms.
- Have the drag leash on your dog and treats hidden in your pocket or in a treat pouch.
- Start by walking around your house holding the fake baby. If your dog follows you, calmly toss treats on the floor to encourage them to stay low on the ground and follow their nose.
- If your dog becomes uncontrollable with intense jumping, grabbing or barking, speak to a trainer right away.
- If your dog comes over to you and is interested in the fake baby, that is okay. Calmly praise but do not solicit rowdy behavior by talking excitedly or overpetting.
- Practice giving your dog a Sit, Down, Stay or stationed Place command, then you may sit down. Reward your dog by tossing treats on the floor where they are stationed.
- Calmly talk to the fake baby and continue to reward your dog for staying calm and not jumping.
- Practice walking in and out of Baby Only spaces by telling your dog to Wait while you open the gate and walk in. Toss a treat on the floor to reward them for staying on the other side of the gate.
- Placing Baby Down
- Walk over to the area where the swing/bassinet/crib is. Before you bend to place the fake baby inside, toss a treat away from the device a few times. This will get your dogs attention away from the fake baby/device and teach them to give space.
- If your dog gets too close, you may place yourself in between the device and your dog to Leave It.
- Place the fake baby into a swing/bassinet/crib and reward your dog by toss a treat away.
- Continue to discourage pushy behavior from your dog using commands, tossing treats away, body blocking and the drag leash.
- Car Seat
- Using a similar technique as above, place the fake baby into the car seat and reward your dog for giving space by tossing treats away.
- Pick up the car seat and continue to toss treats away.
- Give your dog Sit, Down and Place commands and reward.
Practice these exercises randomly throughout the day.
Stroller Walking
Your dog should know loose leash walking before walking them with a baby/stroller. Most dogs learn to walk alongside the stroller with only a little bit of practice. If your dog is already out of control, reactive and/or pulling on walks, I recommend you speak with and hire a trainer to get some basics in before walking them with your baby/stroller.
- DO NOT tie any dog leash around the stroller. Your dog can and will pull the stroller down or get the leash caught up in the wheels. This can make for an extremely dangerous situation for your baby and your dog.
- Leash in your hand while also holding onto the stroller
- Leash around your waist
- Crossbody leash
- Have treats in your pocket or treat pouch.
- Use a 6 foot lead. No retractable leashes!
- Keep your dog on one side to prevent them from crossing in front of the stroller or behind you. Keep your leash short but loose and controlled. You do not want your leash to get tangled up in the stroller wheels.
- Allow the stroller to gently bump your dog if they get to close. The dog learns pretty quickly to avoid it on their own!
- Use the command With Me - to remind your dog to walk at your side and it is not time to go sniffing. Say With Me and reward your dog for walking next to you by handing them a treat at your side.
- Use the command Wait - to have your dog stop when you stop. Every 10-15 ft or so, stop ask your dog to Wait and ask your dog to sit or down, reward. This is useful for when you need to stop and tend to the baby, talk to a neighbor or pick up dog poo.
Commands To Brush Up On
The key to curbing undesirable behavior in dogs is to ensure they have a tool box full of desirable, alternative behaviors and commands they know well and can perform under the three D’s. Distance, duration and distraction.
Sit
Down
Stay
Place/Go to Bed (station)
Off (couch and furniture)
Wait
With Me or Heel
Leave It
Hospital Plan
Less than 10% of babies are born on their due date. Don’t wait until the last minute to have a plan in place for when you go into labor and potentially in the hospital for an extended period of time.
- Planning Tips
- Whether you have a dog walker or family member set to come to your house, have them over ahead of time to show them how to enter your house and care for your dog(s).
- Give an on-call time period so they are available if you happen to go into labor early.
- Put out written or digital instructions ahead of time.
- Have extra dog food/supplies on hand just in case.
- Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
- I recommend developing a relationship with a trusted dog walker or pet sitter either way. Get recommendations from your neighbors or veterinarian; someone with experience with said person.
- Have them over to your house so you can meet them and see how they interact with your dog. This can also be helpful for when the baby comes if your dog needs some time out of the house, you have someone you can call upon.
- Some people have a dog walker come regularly to exercise their dog. This is a great option to have set up from early on in your pregnancy as it gives your dog a solid exercise outlet all throughout.