Introducing your baby to your dog

If you’re a pet parent about to become a human parent, you’ll want to start thinking about how to acclimate your dog to the little one. Introducing babies and dogs can be nerve-wracking, but proper planning and preparation can keep things stress-free.

Reduce anxiety all around

It’s easy to think of worst-case scenarios when it comes to babies and dogs living together. The anxiety you feel, however, can quickly relay to your dog, making them wonder if they should be anxious, too.

Rather than continuously thinking about what could go wrong, try to keep stress levels low leading up to the baby’s arrival. This will keep your dog calmer and, hopefully, make the actual introduction go more smoothly when the time comes.

Start training immediately

Teach your dog basic training and commands, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “place,” before the baby comes. Having these on hand will allow slow, structured introductions and can give your dog a release spot away from everyone to decompress.

Consider crate training

Place training gives your dog a place to relax while in the same room as you and the baby. Crate training offers them another spot to really decompress during the day and/or night. The crate can feel like a safe space for your dog, away from the hustle and bustle of caring for a newborn.

Crates can also take away the possibility of food aggression — feed your dog in their crate, away from baby’s grabby hands once they start crawling — and remove the opportunity of your dog getting into the baby’s things if you leave the house.

Introduce your dog through smells

Many people suggest letting your dog smell your newborn’s blanket before bringing them home. While this is a fine idea, doing just that isn’t enough.

You’ll be bringing home a variety of new scents for your pup to get used to, and you can start much earlier to get them acquainted with these new smells around the house.

• baby lotion⁠
• diapers (clean ones, too!)
• milk or formula
• clothes or bags from the hospital
• any other smells relating to the baby

Use calming aids

Try out different calming aids with your dog, such as calming sprays or chews. These can help take the edge off if your dog experiences anxiety during the changing routine at home.

Get some DAP/Adaptil on hand right away for a jump-start to the calming.

Dr. Erica Irish

Bringing your baby home

The big day is here — it’s time to bring your baby home. Rather than simply walking inside and letting your dog come face-to-face with your newborn, here are some precautionary steps to take:

1. Say hi to your pup alone first. Before bringing your baby inside, take turns greeting Fido to lower excitement levels.
2. Once inside, secure your baby away from your dog. If your pup tends to jump, keep them on a leash until your baby is secure, then let them off to sniff the house and get familiar with the new smell.
3. Hold the baby and let your dog approach. Give them a sniff or two, then toss a few treats on the ground away from you. Do this a few times to set up some positive reinforcement (Trusted Source) with the baby.
4. Watch your pup’s body language the whole time. If they start getting anxious or seem overwhelmed, it may be best to take them for a walk or give them a break in their crate.
5. Repeat until your dog gets comfortable with the baby. Generally, your pup shouldn’t pay much mind to them after a while, which is the end goal.

Tips for troubleshooting introductions

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s easy for stress and anxiety levels to rise in everyone — including Fido. This can lead to behavioral issues like jealousy, resource guarding, or aggression overall.

If any of these things happen, it’s important to look at the overall situation. Avoid disciplining your dog (anger and fear are never the answers) and start thinking about what might be causing it.

• Is your dog getting enough sleep? Just like parents, your dog’s sleep schedule is likely to change when the baby arrives. Give them extra time in their crate or in a safe spot away from the baby to rest.
• Has your dog gotten any one-on-one time with you? Keep a regular schedule of personal time with your dog to remind them that they’re still loved and important.
• Did something change in the house or routine that spooked your dog? Bringing home a baby is a huge upheaval to your dog’s life, and what they’re used to may no longer look the same. This can lead to excess stress and potentially having your dog lash out.

Your veterinarian can help ensure your pet is healthy, including making sure there aren't any issues that are transmissible to humans (and babies) such as roundworms and hookworms. From a behavior standpoint, in-home trainers are sometimes the best option for identifying and addressing anxiety disorders in pets. Look for trainers with credentials (like certified professional dog trainers).

Dr. Erica Irish

Starting a new life with a baby is a major adjustment for any parents — and equally so for the dog(s) in your life. By planning and preparing well in advance, families can make two-legged and four-legged introductions smooth and easy. The most important thing is patience. Everyone is learning what this new life will look like, including your pup.

Frequently asked questions

What are some hygiene concerns with newborns and dogs?

Keeping your pup clean is essential to preventing potentially harmful bacteria from reaching your baby. Regular brushing and bathing, flea and tick prevention, and deworming can all help.

How long does it take for a dog to adjust to a new baby?

This really depends on the individual dog! Some will adjust to a baby in a few days while others may take weeks or months.

What is the best way to introduce a new baby and dog?

Start slowly and in small, monitored increments. Give your dog some individual attention before bringing the baby into the room. Allow your dog to come up and sniff the baby while you’re holding them, then toss some treats away. This will help establish some positive reinforcement with the newborn and give your dog time to retreat and decompress.

What are some signs that a dog is about to attack a baby?

Watch your dog’s body language at all times. Direct staring or “whale eye” (showing the whites of their eyes), growling, body posturing (standing tall, tail high, hackles up, tense and stiff), and teeth baring are all signs of aggression in dogs. This is usually because they haven’t been properly socialized with kids or babies and are afraid.