Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby: Helpful Tips You Need To Know

Having a new baby will undoubtedly bring some significant changes in your life and your home…

So you may be asking these questions…

“Will my dog be okay with a new baby?”

Well, these are all good questions that we will answer right now.

In this post, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips to ensure that dogs and newborn babies can live together happily and safely.

• Basic dog obedience training
• How to condition your dog to changes
• Dog behaviour with a new baby
• The importance of socialisation

Let’s dive in!

Make Sure Your Dog Is Reliably Obedience-Trained

Learning how to teach your basic dog commands is essential for your baby’s safety and the sanity of your whole family.

Then it will be much easier to manage when there’s a baby.

Or getting underfoot while carrying your little one.

If your dog doesn’t know how to do basic obedience commands, now is the perfect time to start teaching him.

Conditioning Your Dog To Changes

The truth is, there will be a lot of changes happening in your home when the baby arrives.

What you can do is to help your dog adjust to these changes by gradually introducing them before the baby arrives.

You can also start playing recordings of baby sounds, such as crying and laughing, a few weeks before the baby is due.

First, you can play the sounds at a low volume, then gradually increase it over time.

Simply because most of their daily walks for the coming years will be with you pushing a pram…

It will help your dog become more accustomed to having a baby in the house and make it less of a shock for them when the time comes.

After getting used to that, you can reward them for demonstrating calmness.

Dog Behaviour with A New Baby

Most dogs are innately gentle and loving creatures.

So let’s talk about dealing with some of the behavioural problems that might arise when you have a new baby in the house.

Your dog shouldn’t feel left out when the baby arrives.

Of course, your baby is the priority.

Make sure to find time each day to give your dog some attention, even if it’s just a quick game of fetch or a belly rub.

This will help him feel like he’s still a part of the family and not just an afterthought.

It is usually because they’re not used to how fragile and delicate babies are.

If you can teach your dog how to be gentle, he’ll be more likely to treat the baby gently as well.

Not to mention how much safer it will be for your baby.

The Importance Of Socialisation

When it comes to introducing your dog to your baby, you must take things slow.

You should never force your dog to meet the baby.

And when he does, make sure to give him plenty of praise and treats.

The more exposure your dog has to different people and situations, the better.

That’s all we’ve got!

These are just a few of the helpful tips you need to know about preparing your dog for a new baby.

Do you have any questions or concerns?

Don’t hesitate to leave that in the comment section below.