How to Train Your Dog to Accept a New Baby

Welcoming a new baby into the family is exciting, but it can also be stressful, particularly if you already have a dog. Ideally, you've spent the last few months preparing your dog for the baby's arrival. Even if you haven't, there are several things you can do to ensure a smooth introduction between your dog and newborn. These techniques are simple, but remember to be patient and consistent with your dog.

Bring Home Baby's Blanket

After your baby is born but before bringing your new family member home from the hospital, bring home a blanket or piece of clothing that the baby has been wrapped in. Allow your dog to sniff and explore the blanket at their own pace. By the time you bring your newborn home, your dog should be somewhat familiar with the baby's scent.

Bring Your Baby in While the Dog Is Outside

Your dog will likely be very excited when the mother walks through the door with the new baby. Aside from the unfamiliar smells and sounds, your dog probably hasn't seen "mom" for at least a day or so, so they're bound to be excited. Have someone arrive at your home before you do to take your dog out for a long walk or playtime to burn off excess energy. Wait until you and the baby are settled comfortably before bringing your dog in to welcome the new arrival.

Allow the Dog to Say Hello to Mom First

Before bringing your dog into the same room as the baby, give them time to greet the mother first. If she walks in holding the baby, an excited dog might jump up to say hello, prompting a scolding due to fear of harming the newborn. This can negatively affect the introduction. Instead, let your dog greet you before introducing the baby.

Keep Control of the Dog

For the initial meeting between the dog and baby, one person should hold the baby while the other has control of the dog. Keep the dog on the leash while you bring them over to say hello. Don't force your dog to approach the baby, but give them lots of praise and encouragement for approaching calmly. If they get too excited and pull on the leash, have the person holding the dog back up and start again. Take a few slow steps at a time and reward the dog for moving slowly and staying calm.

Tell Your Dog What You Want

Instead of waiting to see if your dog will jump up or greet the baby too exuberantly or aggressively, let them know how you expect them to behave. As your dog approaches the baby, give them a command, such as "down" or "sit." Reward the dog with praise or treats for doing as it's told. Often, your dog just needs some direction from you to learn how to be well-behaved around an infant.

Maintain Your Dog's Schedule

One reason many dogs behave poorly when a new baby is brought home is stress from changes in the household. You can greatly reduce your dog's stress by sticking to their regular schedule. Ensure your dog is fed and walked at the same times as before the baby arrived. It can be challenging to juggle your dog's schedule with that of a newborn, but it's worth the effort when your dog and baby develop a positive relationship. Help from friends and family can make things easier.

Never Leave a Dog and Baby Unsupervised

This point cannot be emphasized enough. Don't put your baby and dog at risk by leaving them alone together. Accidents can happen even with the most well-behaved dogs. Prevent mishaps by never leaving your baby unattended with the dog.

Problems and Proofing Behavior

A common mistake is expecting your dog to love your baby as much as you do. Give your dog time. The baby, along with visitors and a new routine, is a big change. If your dog seems especially aggressive toward you or the baby, consult your vet as soon as possible. This is an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation that should be addressed quickly.

If your dog reacts too exuberantly upon first meeting the baby, resist the temptation to scold them or use a leash correction. You don't want your dog to associate the baby with anything negative. Instead, use treats to lure your dog away, give them attention and time to calm down, and then try again.

Keep some tasty treats hand for the first few days after bringing the baby home. Remember to give your dog treats and praise whenever they remain calm and well-behaved when the baby is nearby. This will teach your dog that having the baby around means good things happen.