How To Introduce Your Dog to Your New Baby
Dec 19, 2023
Bringing home your new baby is an incredibly exciting time, but it can also be stressful for your dog. It might catch your furry friend off guard when a mysterious, crying being joins the household, particularly if you’re expecting your first child. The good news is, with proper planning, presenting a new family member to your pup doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Learn how to introduce your dog to your new baby with ease.
Encourage Nursery Exploration
It’s important to begin the introduction process between your dog and your baby before you even give birth. Putting your baby’s nursery together as soon as possible is essential to ease your dog’s anxiety. Doing so will give your pooch an ample amount of time to explore the new setting and become comfortable with the furniture and decor.
As soon as you’ve gathered the necessary components and feel physically up to the task, begin assembling your baby’s bedroom. Giving your dog a generous acclimation period will make your life easier once your little one is born.
Promote Natural Interaction
Once your child is born and you’re home from the hospital, don’t rush to introduce your dog to your new baby right away. Instead, greet your dog in a quiet room and give them your undivided attention for a few minutes. Canines crave quality attention for at least a short period every day, so it’s important to create an opportunity for one-on-one bonding.
Once you’ve had some time to reconnect with your furry friend, bring your baby into the house and begin the introduction process. It’s a good idea to give your dog an item that smells like your little one, such as a piece of clothing or a receiving blanket. Allow your dog to smell the item and get used to the scent of your new family member.
Prioritize Quality Time
Newborns require a tremendous amount of time, attention, and energy, so it’s easy to temporarily disregard your dog. However, your pet also needs to feel loved and cared for, so make sure you carve out quality time to interact while your baby is sleeping or otherwise occupied.
Consistently praise your dog and provide treats so they don’t feel forgotten when your baby is awake and alert. Since dogs operate on a reward system, they’ll view your little one in a positive light if you highly praise them when they’re in the vicinity of your baby. You can also give your dog extra praise when they’re around baby-related equipment, such as a crib or play mat, so they’re not afraid of the new items.
Disclaimer: healthcareforpets.com and its team of veterinarians and clinicians do not endorse any products, services, or recommended advice. All advice presented by our veterinarians, clinicians, tools, resources, etc is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian or other clinicians. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.
