Preparing a dog for a new baby

You first fur baby is now ready to meet your new baby! 

However, it is important to understand that introducing a new baby into the home environment overnight can be a dramatic experience for dogs and a complete change of lifestyle! (Sometimes they were your main focus before the baby comes along). 

Dogs tend to like routine, having a new born baby in the house can disrupt this leaving the dog feeling very unsettled. 

So, the best thing to do... Prepare the dog earlier and they will feel more comfortable.  

• Start setting up the new equipment in the house, earlier. Things such as baby chairs, prams, toys, mobiles that can make noises (even start playing them so the dog isn't scared/uncomfortable the first time its played for babies)
• Imitate baby noises - play noises on your phone/computer of a baby cooing or crying at a low volume in the background whilst they are playing or eating food to make them feel normal around these sounds - do this gradually over the weeks in your pregnancy. 
• gradually introduce changes to the attention your provide your dog, they need to understand that you may not provide as much attention to them when the baby arrives. 
• introduce restricted access early on in the house, e.g. bedrooms/living rooms where the baby may be 
• You can pretend to have a baby (doll) during the pregnancy that you can practice and interact with to familiarise the dog with the dog - e.g. teaching the dog not to jump up when you are holding the baby(doll) - reward them for this behaviour if they do not jump up 

More information available on the Dog Trust: 

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/preparing-dog-for-new-baby