Paws and Play: Introducing Your Dog to Your Newborn
Seamless First Introductions Between Fur-Babies and Human Babies
Hello, lovely Millennial Mums!
If you're reading this, you might be teetering on the edge of one of the most adorable introductions you'll ever make: bringing your newborn and your fur-baby together for the first time. As a dog mum myself (Monty my mini sausage is my first-born), I understand the mix of excitement and nerves that come with this momentous meeting. After all, it's not just about cute first photos—there’s a lot riding on getting this introduction right! I was so worried about Monty meeting Jude for the first time and he actually stayed at my parents for the first two weeks, but I did my research and we had a seamless introduction.
So here’s my guide, sprinkled with a bit of research and personal anecdotes, to help ensure that the first wag meets the first giggle under the best of circumstances.
Before Baby Arrives: Prepping Your Pooch
Start with preparation before your little one arrives. Dogs thrive on routine and predictability, and let's face it, a newborn is about to throw a squeaky, adorable wrench into the works.
Gradual Changes: Slowly adjust your dog’s routine to what it will be post-baby. This could include shifting walk times and subtly moving their bed if necessary, this could be off your bed, out of the bedroom - whatever you think you’ll need. Monty thankfully already slept in his bed in our bedroom and we didn’t feel we needed to change that. Whatever you need to do, think of it as gently shifting the sands rather than causing an earthquake in their world!
Noise Acclimation: Babies come with a symphony of new sounds. Helping your dog get used to these can be a game-changer. Play recordings of baby noises at gradually increasing volumes during calm, happy times so these sounds become part of their normal environment. I did this with Monty playing baby noises through YouTube, but to be honest, he’s so chilled I don’t think it really had much effect. However, it’s worth doing nonetheless.
Obedience Training: If your dog isn't already a graduate of the ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘leave it’ academy, it might be time to enroll. Basic commands can hugely help manage their behaviour around your baby. This was great fun trying to remind our stubborn sausage that leave really does mean LEAVE!
The First Introduction
The big day has arrived! Here’s how to make sure it goes smoothly:
Baby first, dog second: One of the most important pieces of advice I read was to bring the dog into the house where the baby is and for the baby not to be in your arms. This reduces the risk of jealousy and reminds them of the hierarchy in the home.
Calm Energy: Secondly, ensure your dog has had a good walk prior to the introduction. A tired dog is a calm dog. When it’s time for the big meet, keep the atmosphere relaxed and positive.
Controlled Environment: Keep your dog on a leash initially, even if they are the gentlest giant. Let them sniff an item of baby’s clothing first to familiarise them with the new scent. We actually had my parents take home baby clothes from the hospital, and during those first two weeks, whilst he stayed away, my mum kept offering the worn sleepsuits for him to sniff.
Go Slowly: Allow your dog to approach the baby gradually and sniff them while you hold the baby securely. Watch your dog’s body language closely—tail wagging in a relaxed way is good; tucked tails or pinned ears mean they might need a break.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise your dog and give them treats as they behave gently around the baby, reinforcing that this tiny human is a good thing in their life.
Living Together: Building the Bond
As days turn into weeks, here are some tips to nurture the growing bond:
Supervised Time: Never leave your baby and dog together unsupervised. As they get more comfortable with each other, you can allow more interaction under close watch.
Shared Activities: Involve your dog in baby-related activities where possible. Walks can be a great family outing, promoting bonding and burning energy all around.
Respect Their Space: Make sure your dog has a baby-free zone to retreat to. Just like us, dogs need downtime, especially when the baby is having a wobbly. Dogs hearing is four times as strong as ours, so those shrieks are very loud of our four-legged friends.
In Conclusion
Remember, every dog and every baby is different, and the dynamics in every household will vary. Patience and persistence will be your best friends during this process. And soon, you’ll hopefully be capturing moments of your fur-baby and human baby growing up together, building a bond that’ll warm your heart every single day.
I’d love to hear about your experiences or any additional tips you might have. How did you introduce your fur-baby to your newborn? Drop your stories in the comments below!
No Mum Left Behind.
Sam x
Sources and further reading:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) - Offers comprehensive advice on training your dog for a new baby’s arrival and maintaining safety: Introducing Dogs to Babies
The Humane Society - Provides useful tips on how to prepare your cat for the new arrival, emphasising gradual introductions and safety: Introducing Your Cat to a New Baby
Blue Cross - Includes a guide on helping your dog adjust to a new baby in the house, highlighting the importance of positive reinforcement and careful supervision: How to Keep Your Baby Safe Around Your Dog
Cesar’s Way - Cesar Millan’s insights on ensuring a smooth introduction between your dog and your baby, focusing on energy and behaviour management: Introducing Your Dog to Your Newborn
Dog’s Trust - Sharing what to expect and why dogs find it hard to adjust to a new baby in the house. How To Prepare Your Dog For A New Baby.