Dogs and babies: tips for introducing a happy pair

Updated 27/09/2024

Welcoming a newborn home can be daunting at the best of times, and as a pet parent already, you’re sure to be wondering what’s best for your fur baby. That’s why here, we’re exploring tips and ideas so that the dogs and babies in your life become a match made in pup heaven. That’s happy doggos, and a new best friend for your newborn when the time comes.

Dogs and babies: some basic precautions

It can be nerve-wracking to bring the dogs and babies in your life together. So, take a look at these tips below and cherry pick what you think might work best for you and your family.

1. Make sure your dog can follow basic commands before bringing your baby home.
2. Model the new routine, sounds and smells before the baby arrives.
3. Don't overcompensate before the baby arrives - keep the attention you give your pup as consistent as possible, pre and post-baby.
4. Never force interaction - it could overwhelm your pooch and your baby.
5. On the first meeting, allow your dog to see your baby, but keep a distance. Gradually allow the two to get closer as time goes on.
6. Stay calm - your pup will pick up on any nervous energy and learn to associate them with your baby.
7. Always have treats to hand. The more you can reinforce the calm behaviors from your pup, the easier juggling the two will be.

Dogs and babies: how to prepare your dog for the baby

Get basic obedience training ticked off 

A trained dog is a happy dog, so get those basic commands before your baby arrives to make sure you’ve got full control, ahead of newborn time.

Teach polite greetings

Once your baby arrives, trusting your pooch to approach others politely will be invaluable. And as you’ll know, dogs and babies are sometimes a rather delicate pairing, so be sure to teach your pup not to jump, and stay calm while greeting.

Get your dog accustomed to their new surroundings. 

Welcoming a baby means a whole new sensory environment for your dog, so to avoid everything changing at once, get your pup used to any new objects. Think about introducing your dog to the baby’s toys, crib, lotion, and baby crying noises ahead of time - this will normalize it all. And most importantly, remember to heavily reward your pup each time you’re introducing a new sound or smell to their space.

Consider crate training 

While dogs and babies can sometimes become the best of friends, it’s important to make sure your pooch has a safe space where they feel calm, comfortable and can be left alone. One option is to train your dog to settle in a crate before your baby arrives, kitting the space out with comfy cushions, toys and treats.

Get into the new routine

Welcoming a baby home is unpredictable - and with both dogs and newborns at home, it can be hard to stick to any sort of routine. With that said though, it will certainly help to create realistic expectations from your pooch, before your baby’s arrival.

Try to replicate the schedule between playtime, walkies and feeding - that way, your pup won’t be completely stumped by all the changes.

Train boundaries around the house

If you’re choosing to keep your dog and baby’s spaces separate, train your pooch to stay out of the baby’s room, before they arrive. This will help your pup to feel a whole lot less rejected when the door is shut behind you.

Equally, let your pet have their own special space that’s for them alone, and give them lots of positive praise or a special toy to play with. Having a ‘safe space’ to retreat to when overwhelmed can help your dog feel calmer and more secure in themselves. 

Positively reinforce the baby’s room

If you’re wondering how to prepare your dog for your baby’s room, place a dog bed in there, leaving treats and toys behind. Before the baby arrives, get your dog used to settling in their bed while you take some calm time (to replicate nursing) in the baby’s room. 

This will make sure your dog is content in your baby’s room, and happy to spend quiet time with you in the space.

Prepare your dog for a toddler’s handling

As you’re probably well aware, dogs and infants can sometimes get their wires crossed. This can often be because your pup isn’t used to those surprising, sudden movements and (albeit accidental) heavy petting. 

Spending time around toddlers at a distance (for example your local kids park) can be a great way to desensitize your dog to the noises and smells of young children. When confident enough, walking through the park near children and working up to meeting children can be a good way to introduce small hands. 

Children need to be taught and shown through repetition to be gentle with your dog, and it's not recommended to leave pets and young children alone unsupervised for any length of time. Even the best behaved dog can react to painful stimuli in the wrong way, which can have lifelong consequences for all involved. 

Get stocked-up on boredom-busting toys.

Get a few boredom-busting toys in rotation before the baby arrives - that way, your furry pal won’t be surprised when they’re expected to entertain themselves. A kong toy, or chew toy is a must have for every home with a new baby and a dog! Most dogs love having the radio or tv on for company and background noise, so leave one on in the house during the day. 

Commands to teach your dog, pre-baby

As we’ve mentioned, it’s super important to get your furry pal clued-up on basic cues so that you’re in control, and they know where they stand once the baby comes. Before the baby comes home, teach your dog to sit, wait, stay, settle, leave, drop, come and move away. 

The last command can be particularly helpful in settling your pup once your toddler starts to walk. Why? Well sometimes, our canine pals aren’t aware they can back away when they start to feel uncomfortable. So by teaching them this handy skill, you’ll be able to diffuse a whole host of canine-toddler awkwardness when the time comes! 

To teach your pup how to move away, follow these simple steps:

1. With a treat in hand, say the command ‘move away’, and throw the treat away from you. Repeat this multiple times.
2. With a treat in hand, command ‘move away’, but this time, only toss the treat once your pup starts to back away.
3. Repeat step two multiple times, and reward your pup with a treat as they step away, further each time. Soon enough, you won’t need any treats involved when asking your pup to back off.

Dogs and babies: tips for post-baby 

Bringing the baby home

Bringing the dogs and babies in your life together can be a nerve-wracking experience. But, there are a few things you can do to reduce any risk, and keep things calm for all of you.

• Before bringing the baby home, if you can, have others greet your dog first - this will get any initial excitement out of the way.
• Have a helper indoors leash your pup, and holding the baby in your arms, walk into your home.
• Stay calm once you’re indoors - this will help to settle any nervous energy in your furry friend.
• Make sure your helper keeps the leash loose and rewards your pup heavily when you arrive - this will kick things off to a positive start.

Meeting the baby

Introducing your dog to your newborn doesn’t have to happen right away - not up close, that is. Once your pup seems comfortable in your presence while you’re holding the baby, it might be time for a closer introduction. Below are a few loose steps you can follow (and cherry pick) to bring the dog and newborn in your life together.

• Sit with your baby in your arms, and have a few treats to hand. 
• Have a helper bring your pup into the room on a loose leash, and greet them in a relaxed tone of voice.
• Once you’re ready, allow your dog to sniff your baby’s feet. Getting them used to your baby’s scent in this way could help your dog to get to know your newborn.
• After a brief moment of good behavior, distract your furry pal with a treat and an obedience command. 

Teaching your dog to interact with your baby in this way will help them to associate positive, relaxed experiences with your child - a win-win!

Positive reinforcement

If you can take anything away from our advice on introducing dogs and babies, it’s to never give up on positive reinforcement. Having a baby around means a whole new world of sounds, sights and smells for your pup. 

So, whether it’s rewarding when there’s a baby cry, a loud noise from a toy, or their intriguing shuffles along the floor, positive reinforcement will help your furry family member to hold these experiences in high regard. 

When the baby cries, a treat arrives - and that can never be a bad thing, right?

Combine dog and baby activities 

As a pet parent, we can imagine one of your biggest fears about the dogs and babies in your life is your pup feeling left behind. Well luckily for your furry family member, they don’t have to. 

Dogs and newborns both stretch your attention, but by making a fuss of your pup at the same time as your baby, your dog will associate your newborn with good times.

Consider walking your pup with your baby around, or toss a ball with your baby in a stroller - you get the idea. Whatever versions of attention you choose, just remember that dogs learn by experience, so help your pup look forward to the times you’re busy with your baby, not dread it.

Another easy way you can achieve this is to leave your pooch alone (as much as you can resist!) while your baby is in another room or sleeping. That way, they’ll look forward to newborn-pup quality time, rather than any moment your baby is out of sight.

Never force interaction 

One of the most important things to know about how to introduce a dog to a baby is to never force interaction. This could make your pup feel incredibly uncomfortable - it’s a lot of change for the canine in your life already, so take dog-baby interactions slowly, and at your pup’s pace. 

Give your dog space

Just a note on safety - be sure to keep your baby away while your pooch is tucking into their dinner, or having a lap of water. A dog’s instinct is to protect their food source, so never take the risk while your pup is eating. 

Get help 

If you’re worried about your dog and new baby or they’re showing any signs of aggression, it’s super important you get help and advice from a veterinary behaviorist right away. A veterinary behaviorist can prescribe medications to help your dog feel more relaxed in combination with a training schedule to help your dog adjust to their new family member.

In the meantime, keep a safe distance between the two, and continue to reward your furry friend for positive behavior. Training aids such as muzzles or shock collars should be avoided as they can cause a negative association between pain and your new baby, which can cause unwanted behaviors to be directed towards a baby or young child. 

If your dog has a history of biting people, it’s not recommended to try and expose your baby or young child to your dog. Rehoming may be the kindest option in this case. Talk to a veterinarian for advice. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

After boredom-busting dog toys?

Having a baby around certainly means your pooch might have to entertain themselves more often than before. One way to keep your furry pal happy (before and after the baby arrives) is to rotate between boredom busting dog toys that’ll stimulate those sharp canine minds.