A new baby turns a household upside down — routines, sleep, smells, sounds, and who gets attention. For a dog, who has no idea what is coming, the change can be stressful. The good news is that you usually have months to prepare, and most dogs and babies grow up to be great companions.
Start early: change routines before the baby arrives
If walks will be shorter, earlier or done by someone else after the birth, make the change now, so your dog doesn’t associate the new routine with the baby. Teach your dog to settle on a bed or mat for periods when you are busy.
Brush up on training
- Settle on a mat — invaluable during feeds and nappy changes.
- Leave it — for dropped dummies, toys and food.
- Loose-lead walking — practise walking with an empty pram.
- Off — getting down from the sofa or bed on cue.
- Gates — get your dog used to baby gates and time apart.
Introduce new sights, sounds and smells
Play recordings of baby crying at a low volume while your dog eats or plays, gradually increasing. Set up the cot, pram and baby swing early, and let your dog sniff calmly. Use baby lotion on your own skin so the smell becomes familiar.
The homecoming
- Have someone bring home a blanket the baby has used for your dog to sniff.
- When you arrive, greet your dog first without the baby — you have probably been missed.
- Once your dog is calm, let them see and sniff the baby from a short distance, on a lead or behind a gate, with lots of praise and treats.
- Keep sessions short. Good things should happen for your dog when the baby is around — not only when the baby is asleep.
Never leave a baby or young child alone with any dog, however gentle — not even for a moment. Most bites to young children are from the family dog, often in the home and often from a dog with no history of biting.
Signs your dog is uncomfortable
Watch for lip licking, yawning, turning away, whale eye, freezing or leaving the room when the baby is near. These are your dog asking for space; respect them. See our guide to dog body language.
As the baby grows
Crawling babies and toddlers are the riskiest stage, because they grab, follow and fall on dogs. Give your dog a safe retreat where children are never allowed, and teach children from early on to leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping or chewing.
When to get help
If your dog growls, stiffens or has shown aggression around children, or is very anxious, contact a qualified behaviourist before the baby arrives. Early help is far more effective.
Questions owners ask
Can my dog sleep in the same room as the baby?
Many families keep dogs out of the nursery entirely, especially at night. Babies should sleep in a cot with no animals able to reach them.
Will my dog be jealous of the baby?
Dogs notice changes in attention. Making sure good things happen when the baby is around, and keeping some one-to-one time, helps.
Should I get rid of my dog when I have a baby?
Most dogs adapt well with preparation. If you are worried, ask a behaviourist to assess your dog before making any decision.
Written by
Sam writes our breed and behaviour guides. (Demo profile supplied with the Tailwise theme.)
Reviewed by
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
