Newly Pregnant? Here’s How To Prepare Your Dog For Your Baby
Newly pregnant? It’s a good idea to prepare your dog for your baby. Things like playing baby sounds and gradually changing their routine before the birth can help prepare them. You should also try using a lifelike doll and treating it like a baby. This will help them get accustomed to the presence of a new family member.
It’s so exciting to welcome a new baby into your home and your family. It’s a wonderful time for everyone. Of course, pregnancy and preparing for your new arrival can be stressful in its own right. And that’s without worrying about your dog on top of it! Introducing them to a new baby can be a nerve-wracking experience for you as a new parent, and it’s understandable.
Dogs aren’t always fans of change, and it can be difficult for them to adapt to new situations. This is why it’s so important for you to prepare them for what’s coming. Get the house ready early so they can get used to the new routines, smells, and sounds.
Key Takeaways
- Get a baby doll and treat it as you would a new baby
- Play baby sounds and get your dog used to them
- Alter their schedule gradually so they are prepared for the change
- Hire a dog walker to help you after the birth if needed
Why Do Some Dogs Struggle With A New Baby?
It’s quite a dramatic change in circumstances for a dog, especially when a new baby arrives overnight. It’s unexpected, and it shakes up their routine – which is hard for dogs since they quite like having structure. If you haven’t prepared them properly, the new arrival can leave them feeling shaken, nervous, and unsure of their environment.
Babies are loud, they smell different, and it can be hard for your pup if they’re no longer getting the amount of attention they used to. It’s overwhelming and overstimulating. This is why helping them prepare for these changes is so important if you want to minimize their stress (and yours!).
How to Prepare Your Dog For Your Baby
I have some great advice to help you get your dog used to the new changes coming to their home and family so that you can help them ease into it.
1. Start Practising With A Doll
One of the best things you can do is buy a lifelike doll and act as though it’s a newborn. You can carry it around with you as you would with a real baby while also pretending to feed and change it. Rock them in your arms and speak to them. Essentially roleplaying what it will be like when the baby arrives so your dog understands what’s happening.
This is also a good time to gently train them to respect the baby’s space and be gentle and calm around them, using the doll as practice. You can also put the doll in a onesie that you can bring to the hospital with you. That way, when the baby comes home there is a familiar scent on them already to help them feel more comfortable with the new arrival.
Tip: A second-hand onesie can work well on the doll, too. This helps your dog get used to baby smells in general.
2. Start Preparing The House
Getting the house ready over time allows your pup to explore the new furniture and items so they become a normal part of their day. Build the cot, bring the pram in, and set out some of the toys they will use in their playpen. You can also get things like the changing table ready and ensure all your supplies are stocked up.
Let your dog into the room where the baby will be sleeping so they can sniff and explore. This will help them become familiar with everything. Move the pram around them so they are desensitised to the wheels, and consider taking them on a walk with the pram and the doll so they can learn to heel and behave better when you’re out with them and the baby.
3. Get Them Used To The New Sounds
There are going to be loads of new sounds when the baby arrives. This can be very overstimulating for your furry friend. Try finding baby sounds on YouTube and playing them throughout the day to help get them used to what the house might sound like when they arrive. Just make sure you do this gradually.
Start the volume low and slowly increase it until it becomes loud enough to mimic reality. This should be done over time so that your dog becomes desensitised to it and is no longer bothered. Make sure you do it while they are eating, playing, and sleeping. If they seem anxious, you should turn it down and start again.
4. Start Making Changes To Their Routine
When the baby arrives, their routine is going to change. They will end up with less attention than normal, their walks might be disrupted, and things aren’t going to be as smooth as usual. They might also be restricted in where they can go around the house. There are also likely to be more visitors than normal. All of this can be quite stressful.
To help them adjust and minimize the risk of a bad reaction, start making changes to their routine at least a month before the baby is due. This should be done slowly so they don’t get overwhelmed. By the time you bring your baby home, they will be used to the alterations to their usual schedule and more comfortable with it.
5. Make Plans For Pet Care During The Birth And After
If you have planned a C-Section, it might be worth considering a dog sitter or kennel for your dog during the birth and a few days after. This will give you a little bit of time to recover slightly. Even if you don’t have anything planned, it can be a less stressful experience for everyone if your dog has somewhere safe and comfortable while you are giving birth.
However, if you do decide to go with kennels or a sitter, you need to ensure your dog goes for practice visits beforehand to help them get used to it. That way, they will be happy when they go for a little vacation, and there won’t be any upsets. You should also consider hiring a dog walker for the first week or two after you give birth. This will give you a chance to rest.
6. Help Your Dog Be Comfortable With The Changes
There are going to be more visitors when the baby comes home. Friends, family, and healthcare workers mean a lot more traffic in the house. This can be hard for dogs to cope with. Especially if they are nervous, and you need to help them learn to become more comfortable with these changes in their home.
You might have a quiet space upstairs or in another room where they can curl up and sleep until the chaos has died down. You could also buy them chews to distract them and buy wall plug-ins to help calm their nerves. Give them space to decompress and relax. This will help ensure they don’t end up pushed over the edge by all the stimuli around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Adjust To A Baby?
For most dogs, it only takes a few days for them to adjust to a new baby in the home and start getting used to the changes. This is especially true if you start preparing your dog for the baby’s arrival before they come home. However, some dogs may need a few weeks to start settling in properly and getting used to the new situation. It all depends on the dog.
Is It Normal For A Dog To Growl At A New Baby?
It is normal for a dog to growl at a baby, especially if they are nervous or unsure. However, it’s important that you ensure they are supervised around the baby at all times and that you get in touch with a behaviorist to get to the bottom of the issue. It’s something that can be worked on, but you need to be quick with it to make life easier and happier for everyone.
Do Dogs Get Jealous Of Babies?
Yes, dogs can get jealous of babies. It’s important to remember that they still need love, affection, and attention. While you might not be able to give them as much as your new baby, you still need to make time for your dog’s needs to be met. They are social creatures, and they won’t understand why they’re being ignored.
I hope that you’re able to welcome your new baby to your home with minimal stress and that your dog adjusts well to the situation. It’s so good for kids to grow up with dogs. It can help them from a developmental perspective as well as reduce the risk of them having allergies. More than that, dogs make the best and most important companions for kids.
Of course, things might not always be smooth, and there is no shame in that. Some dogs have a harder time than others, and when you’re already exhausted, it can feel overwhelming. If you ever feel like you’re in trouble with your pup, you should always call a professional behaviorist. They’ll help you overcome your issues and help your doggo adapt to what’s happening.
