6 Ways to Prepare Your Dog Before Your Baby Arrives

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Congrats on the new human addition! How is your dog taking to the changes? Here are some things to do to get your dog ready before baby comes home.

If you are expecting a new baby, you already know that big changes are on their way. When you bring new life into the world, it is a huge responsibility to care for and love that baby.

During the first few months, you’ll be devoting almost all of your time to the new baby and that means other things may fall to the wayside. If you have a dog, there are certain preparations you should make to ensure that everything goes smoothly for the whole family. Keep reading to learn more.

Related:Tips for Preparing Your Cat for a New Baby

Tips to Prepare Your Dog for a New Arrival

When you first find out that you are expecting, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of making the announcement and preparing your home for the new arrival. Amidst all of the excitement, however, you need to be practical.

Adding a new baby to your family is going to change your life, of course, but don’t forget about your dog! Significant changes like adding a new member to the family can be stressful for a dog and the new baby will take a lot of your attention. Follow these tips to prepare your dog for your new baby:

    Related:Dogs Respond to Baby Talk

    In addition to following these tips, you should spend as much time with your dog as you can in the weeks leading up to your delivery. The stronger your bond with your dog, the more likely he is to adjust well to a new addition to the family. You also just want to make sure he knows he isn’t being replaced.

    How to Introduce Your Dog to Your Baby

    When you are ready to bring your new baby home, you should think through the details of introducing him to your dog. You will probably already have the nursery set up, so make sure your dog is respectful of the space by making sure he has a comfortable space of his own – set up an area of the house with his crate or bed, his food bowls, and his favorite toys.

    In terms of the actual introduction, keep it short and sweet at first. Your dog will be curious and maybe a little cautious, so try sitting down with your baby and let your dog come up and sniff him when he’s ready. Over the next few days you can let your dog spend more time with the baby, but always supervise the interactions just in case. Eventually, you can let your baby interact with the dog directly so the two of them can start forming a bond.

    By following the tips provided above, you can improve the chances that your dog will adjust well to the new addition and will come to form a positive bond with your new baby. Keep in mind, however, that every dog is unique in terms of his personality – some dogs simply do not like or get along with children. So, do your best to smooth out the bumps in the road and follow the tips above to prepare your dog for your new addition to the family. Good luck!

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

    You May Like

    Adoptable Dog of the Week – Bella

    We’d like you to meet Bella, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. She’s an adult English Setter mix that lives in Portland, ME. Bell…
    Utonagan

    The Utonagan breed was specifically developed to look like a wolf. Despite their wild appearance, Utonagan dogs make wonderful companions and family pets.
    First Time In US Cats Test Positive For COVID-19

    Two pet cats in New York have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and are the first to do so in the United States. Both are expe…
    Cat Tail Injuries: What You Need To Know

    A cat''s tail acts as an important appendage to her everyday life. That''s why you need to know about cat tail injuries and how to tell if your kitty is hurt.
    Why You Should Start Puppy Crate Training Now

    Puppy crate training can be the best thing for your new furry addition to the family. Over time, the crate will become your puppy''s own private den.
    What Are the Benefits of Kelp for Dogs?

    Considered to be a ""superfood,"" kelp is packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It''s not just for humans - here are the benefits of kelp for dogs.
    Adventures In Dog Sitting: Mickey Makeover! (Part 3)

    Enough is enough! Mickey is stinking up the place and I need to give him a grooming he’ll never forget. The pups tell their side of the squeaky clean e…
    Golden Saint

    Meet Golden Saint, a designer dog that brings together two well-loved purebreds together, the Golden Retriever and Saint Bernard.
    Best Dog Frisbees

    Dog frisbees are a toy that you can''t go wrong with- almost every pooch loves playing fetch! Of cours, not all are made alike, so read on to find the best.
    Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Kiwi

    We think that Kiwi is a sweetie – that’s why she’s our Adoptable Dog of the Week! Hailing from Salem, OR, Kiwi is a 3.5-year-old female Ame…
    Dalmatian

    Often associated as the kind of dogs who help firemen and police, the Dalmatian is a notoriously good workers and are known as an assertive, friendly breed.
    Preparing Your Pooch For His First Dog Groomer Visit

    Is Scruffy starting to look a bit scruffy? We''ve put together some points on what you need to do to prepare your pup for his first dog groomer visit.
    Up The Creek: Adventures In Canine Canoeing Part 3

    Thunder storms, and wolf poop, and bears, oh my! Kevin Roberts and crew encounter rain, dangerous animals and… poop. It’s all in the name of fun…
    10 Summer Fun Stuff Roundup for Dogs

    It''s summertime and we can''t wait to get out there with our pets to enjoy the weather. We''ve collected 10 fun-in-the-sun products that you''ll love!
    12 Classy Pet-Inspired Back-to-School Essentials

    Whether your kid is heading back to school or you''re holding down a 9-to-5, these pet-friendly supplies keep you on top of homework and office work.