How to Prepare a Dog for a New Baby Coming Into the Home

Preparing your dog to meet the new baby is a very important and delicate process. Dogs and kids don't always get along, and despite what people often think you can't expect them to naturally. Babies and kids can be loud, smell funny and make erratic unpredictable movements that frighten or confuse dogs. It's up to you to teach your dog that a baby is a positive addition, while also giving her the ability to have a calm safe space away from the chaos that comes with a new baby.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Soft bed or mat
  • Dog chew toys
  • Baby toys
  • Stroller
  • Recording of a baby crying
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Instructions

  1. Train Before Baby Arrives

    • 1

      Refresh basic manners with your dog, such as sit, down and stay. If you have a dog that occasionally nips, work on bite inhibition by feeding him his meals by hand and only letting him have the food when you feel a soft mouth and no teeth. If you have a jumpy dog teach him a reliable "off" command. Reward for four feet on the floor and turn your back when he jumps.

    • 2

      Desensitize your dog to the sound of crying through classical conditioning. The loud cries of a new baby can be frightening for your dog. Play a recording of crying and feed your dog while the sounds are playing. Stop the recording and stop feeding. As you repeat this exercise, the dog's emotional response to the crying changes from fear to pleasure predicting that yummy things are coming.

    • 3

      Practice loose leash walking while pushing a stroller. Reward your dog for walking calmly near the stroller. Walking alongside a stroller might make a skittish dog nervous. Start slowly by exposing the dog to the stroller in a familiar environment and without motion.

    • 4

      Practice "leave it" or "drop it" with baby toys, clothes, bottles, etc. Set an array of baby items out on the floor, say the command before your dog gets to the items and reward for a head turn and work your way up to ignoring the objects entirely.

    • 5

      Refresh or introduce, "settle on a mat" and crate training. Once the baby is home, you'll want your dog to have a safe place to go and be calm. To teach "settle on a mat," lay out a mat or bed and reward your dog first for placing one foot on it, working his way to placing all four on it. Then you can work on sitting, and finally laying down on the mat. After, reward for duration and distractions.

    • 6

      Once baby arrives, bring home a blanket or something else with the baby's scent before you bring the baby home. Let your dog investigate and become familiar with the scent.

    Dog and Baby Meet

    • 7

      Continue your use of classical conditioning to teach your dog that the baby means good things. Feed treats for seeing the baby and hearing the baby. When the baby leaves the room stop feeding. Continue this process, particularly when the baby cries until your dog learns to expect the treat and does not seem bothered by the noise.

    • 8

      Enlist the help of another person to place the baby's hand lightly on the dog while you feed him. Stop feeding when the hand is removed. This starts to desensitize your dog to the inevitable petting and grabbing your baby will start as it gets older.

    • 9

      Send your dog to his mat to settle. Reward him for remaining calm with the baby in the room.