It’s always a joyful and life-changing experience when welcoming a baby into your home. It can also be a big adjustment for your dog, filled with unfamiliar noises, sights, and changes in routine. To help your dog feel comfortable and secure, we have created a guide on preparing your dog for the baby’s arrival.
Preparing the house’s layout before the baby’s arrival
When planning your room, it’s important to consider the baby essentials you need and your house’s layout. After you’ve set up the baby furniture, you should set some boundaries for your dog. For instance, you might set up a crib and a rocking chair as part of the nursery. Spend time in the nursery room with your dog and let them know what is off-limits. If your dog attempts to jump on the rocking chair, gently correct their behavior. You may want to install baby or dog gates to keep your dog out of other baby-only zones.
If your dog sleeps in your bedroom, consider giving them a different sleeping space before the baby arrives. Your dog may not appreciate the many night interruptions that a newborn brings, or they might simply need time to adjust to a new sibling in the house. Either way, it is safest to have your dog sleep elsewhere at first. The earlier you introduce this change, the easier it will be for your dog to adjust.
Familiarize your dog with the baby’s toys and sounds with pairing exercises
Your dog should be introduced to the new sights and sounds that will soon become part of your daily life. Such as noisy toys, baby swings, and strollers. Exposing them gradually gives your dog time to feel comfortable and better prepared for your baby’s arrival.
The best exercise to get your dog used to the new sights and sounds is “pairing.” In this exercise, you associate something your dog finds unsettling (such as the rocking of a chair) with something they enjoy, such as a tasty treat. If your dog shows signs of discomfort, such as tucking its tail or stiffening its body, it’s an indication that it may need regular pairing sessions a few times a week. Over time, your dog will generalize the treatment and not be scared of the unfamiliar movement and sound.
How Beyond the Dog teaches pairing
At Beyond the Dog, our pairing process uses classical conditioning to create a positive association with certain stimuli by using an item your dog likes, which can be treats, food, or toys.
Pairing a new situation, like your baby coming home for the first time, with something positive, such as a treat, will help your dog acclimate to the baby’s presence. We like to use a specific marker word, such as “good”, when your baby enters the room or cries. This helps your dog to be comfortable and relaxed when the noise or action happens in the future.
We’re here to help
If you have any questions about preparing your dog for the baby’s arrival, teaching obedience commands, or addressing behavioral issues, including separation anxiety or reactivity, you can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. We offer personalized training programs through one-on-one sessions in your home and neighborhood.
If you prefer to connect virtually or if you live outside our service area, our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, provides Virtual Consultation programs. During these programs, she will develop a training plan that meets your specific training goals.
