When you’re expecting a baby, the levels of anticipation are persistently growing. Everyone in the family is already excited and even your four-legged friend might already have sensed that an important change is coming.

However, despite this feeling that something is coming, your dog won’t have as much time to prepare for the arrival of your newborn as you and the other members of their family will. The sudden arrival of a crying, whimpering and a strange smelling bundle in their home can be incredibly distressing and disconcerting for dogs, therefore they must be given the support and guidance they need to help them cope with this huge change.

It’s important to remember that the arrival of a newborn means that their routine may have to change and the high levels of attention they’re used to receiving may be slightly altered for a short while. They may be suddenly restricted to certain rooms of the house and be left alone for short periods. It’s these changes that can lead to stress and your four-legged friend becoming quickly overwhelmed!

So, with this in mind, let’s explore how you can prepare your dog for the arrival of your baby.

Plan ahead

Maintaining some sort of routine for your dog is important, as it also means ensuring they have everything they need. Whether it’s new toys, fresh, clean dog bowls and of course, plenty of treats and dog food available. You can shop for Royal Canin pet food, here. Remember, the more you plan the less stressed you’ll be when the time comes.

Start making little changes to their routine, now

We’ve mentioned how your dog’s routine is likely to change when your baby arrives. To prevent this from being such a dramatic alteration, you can start implementing subtle changes perhaps 1-2 months before the baby arrives. This could mean later walk times, shorter walks, different routes, less attention during certain times of the day, getting them used to new features such as baby gates and feeding them in a different area of the house if required.

Get them used to all things baby

Your baby’s arrival will mean lots of new items at home, including toys, bassinets, blankets, and baby equipment. Start placing these things around your home well in advance so your dog can get used to their presence. You could even take them for a walk with your new pram to help them familiarise themselves with your baby essentials or install baby gates to keep them separated from you, but still visible.

Practice

Many owners help get their dogs used to the presence of a baby, by using a doll. Carrying the doll around and encouraging your dog not to jump up whilst you’re holding the “baby” or to jump up on the furniture whilst you’re sat down with the doll can help them get used to these new boundaries and changes, without you or the dog becoming overwhelmed.

Final thoughts…

Remember, you have 9 months or more to prepare your dog for the arrival of your new baby. And this is a wonderful opportunity to refocus on training your dog and teaching them new skills. Start implementing these changes as soon as possible so everyone – including your dog - can enjoy the latest member of the family!