A Growing Family Part 3: Preparing Your Dog
Having another baby can be stressful on dogs in the household as well. It’s a time of turmoil in the household, and that can be really difficult on dogs. I knew I was pregnant mainly because of the behavior changes in my dog. She became clingy and her separation anxiety got worse. Since this is my second pregnancy, she has gone through this change before. It doesn’t mean that she didn’t need to be prepared again.
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During my first pregnancy, my dog had to have her ACL fixed and then a couple months later we got attacked by a dog while out on a walk. My dog protected me, as the dog was going after me. This attack resulted in two puncture wounds about an inch deep on her neck. Needless to say, it was a tough time on her. I believe that when I got pregnant again, she remembered what happened the first time and got very protective of my son and me.
As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started to get her ready for another baby’s arrival. My dog is a part of my family and sister to my boys. It is important that she feels this way during these times of change. These tips are very useful for a first pregnancy as well.
Move Dog’s Bed Early
If you have to move the dog’s bed to make room for a cradle, or other baby gear, make sure to do so several months ahead of time. Then, put the cradle/bassinet in that spot. This allows the dog to explore and get used to the new piece of furniture at their own pace.
Pull Baby Gear Out
Pull out all your baby gear, especially baby swings and/or bouncers and put them in the living areas. This is a similar idea to placing the cradle. It’s better to allow them to get used to these items before baby’s arrival. If you are using a swing with automatic motion like the MamaRoo, make sure to run it and let the dog get used to the motion as well. This also helps you be as ready as possible since you have everything out and ready to go!
Play Newborn Sounds
Even though the dog has experienced a newborn before, it might have been a while and so they will need to get used to hearing the sounds again. This goes especially for crying. I played newborn cries all the time. At first, it was only when my dog was awake and I was petting her. Then, I started to play them when she was sleeping and eating. This is a great way to get them ready for the real thing and make sure that they aren’t phased by the cries. The last thing you need when you have a crying baby is a dog barking as well!
Get a Gift for the Dog
Just like you don’t want an older sibling to feel forgotten, you don’t want your dog to feel forgotten either. Getting a nice toy for them will help in many ways. It helps to keep them happy, and it also helps serve as a distraction. If they get a little too nosey, you can show them the toy to put their attention elsewhere.
My dog isn’t really into toys much, at least not any that stand up more than 10 seconds! So instead of toys, I like to get her some edible treats that will take her a little time to get through. Bones are great, although they can get messy. With a new baby, you don’t want to have to be also cleaning up after the dog. My favorite is bully sticks. I can get a few for my dog and give her one whenever I need the distraction.
When Baby Arrives
Once the big birthday comes, it’s time for the final steps of preparation. Bringing home the baby’s scent first is a great way to expose the dog to the new smell. To do this, bring a swaddle blanket to the hospital and use it overnight. Flannel works best as it holds onto the smell better than muslin. Then, have your partner or a family member bring the swaddle home and let the dog sniff it. With my firstborn, my dog went nuts smelling the blanket. She was so intrigued and I was glad that she smelled it first on the blanket so she didn’t go nuts once she finally met my son.
Coming Home
When you can finally come home it’s a really exciting day. Going home day is a joyous thing! It can be really hard on the dog though since they will likely be ignored a bit in all the excitement. When you enter the house, you should go in through the door first. Your dog hasn’t seen you in a couple days and will be very excited once you get home. Give them some love and attention. Then, someone else can enter with the new baby once your dog has calmed down.
Best Friends
Preparing your dog for a new baby will only help to strengthen the bond between furbaby and baby. My first son and my dog are so close now. They can’t get enough of each other and it’s the cutest thing. Easing the transition for my dog paved the way for this relationship to form and grow. Now, with a second almost here, it’s time to smooth the way for another best friend to enter the scene. I can’t wait to see how the relationship between them all grows!
Don’t forget to read the beginning of the series A Growing Family, all about preparing for a second child!
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42 Comments
samantha a brooks
We prepared out dog, did the whole blanket with baby smells, and it was the cat who was must upset. I have picture of our big calico looking at the baby in his car seat (we had just gotten home) and she is not happy (ears back and PO’ed). That was baby #3, so she knew what was coming.
Kat
Aw. Poor kitty. I don’t have cats, but I’m sure they need just as much preparation as dogs!
shanna
wow! I never even thought of this!
Kat
I’ve found it to be just as important as any other preparation.
Dawnmarie
It is both kind and smart to prepare the doggy. I pinned this article in the hopes that it can be useful to someone.
Kat
Thank you! I hope it can be useful.
Tina
Smart idea of getting her toys and treats to help her feel that she isn’t left out.
Kat
Thank you!
Kesha
We don’t have a dog but I hear it can be quite challenging preparing a dog for a new child. I would think this is probably one of the most important items to do to ensure everyone including the dog is well adjusted to the new addition to the family.
Kat
It can be tough. Simple steps makes it easier!
Kristi Ann
I love how you included the dog as part of the family and preparing him for the new additions! So sweet!
Kat
Thanks! She’s a part of our family!
Tiffany
Awwww. I love the photo of doggo and baby at the end! These are great tips to make the transition smoother!
Kat
Thank you!
T.M. Brown
This is a very interesting post. Our pups came after the boys were born, so we didn’t have to worry about that, but we can keep this in mind if we have pets when the grandchildren start coming along (years….I mean YEARS down the road – lol).
Kat
Haha. Having the dog first is definitly a different experience.
Monica
I remember letting my dogs sniff the baby’s blanket before bringing her home. They went nuts. They also tried house her as a pillow. Funny how they can sense things.
Kat
Ya. They are so intuitive
Naomi
These are great tips for new moms. I wished someone told me to prepare our dog Bella for bringing our babies home.
Kat
Thanks!
Ashley Reese
This is so smart! I’m sure so many people forget about making sure their pets will be comfortable with such a big chance!
Kat
It is often overlooked!
Christa
Preparing dogs is such an important (but often overlooked) step in getting ready for a baby. These are really great tips. I was concerned about how my dog would react. Luckily, he was ok. Just very clingy and anxious.
Kat
Thanks. Doing these preparation steps helped that in my dog
Evelyn
Never thought of preparing a dog for a baby’s birth, but you are right, they are also art of the family.
Kat
Thanks. That’s how I feel.
Michele Vadnais
All great ideas! I think people do tend to forget it’s a change for their pets too!
Kat
I agree! Thank you
Ina @ Crafty For Home
Well, I don’t have any pet, I did not realize that it is actually important to prepare these pet ready to welcome the new addition in family. Great reminder for anyone who has pet and growing family!
Kat
Thanks! Since pets are such social creatures it’s important to prepare them!
Jessica
These are such great tips! When we brought our twins home from the hospital, we wanted to make sure our “first baby” was still taken care of. We used a lot of these same techniques, but in the end, our pup was happy as long as she still got snuggles and treats!
Kat
Mine needed the extra. She is so excitable!
Tricia
My daughter is pregnant. I look forward to sharing these with her!
Kat
Thank you! Congrats and I hope it’s helpful for her.
Pam
Very good tips – it’s so imp
Kat
Thank you
Laura
Awwwww! I love this post! Your dog is beautiful! My mother always tells a story about how my dog and I didn’t get along in the beginning. I used to pull her hair out. Fortunately she was the most loving dog that she didn’t even react. Making sure your dog and your baby get along is so important! Great post!
Kat
Thanks! Getting my dog ready has been so important. Since we had her for a few years before kids, she was used to being the centrr of attention!
Diana
We didn’t do the newborn sounds thing, but that is a great idea! Our dog barked a lot when we first brought out daughter home. She didn’t know what was going on. We started with the blanket/clothes, letting her sniff them and then later in the evening, introduced her to our animals. The cats pretty much sniffed and left, the dog sniffed and hung around, no longer barking. They’re all best buds now!
Kat
Playing the sounds really helped to reduce the amount of barking. My dog still is always hanging around my son!
Jackline
This was such an adorable post. People forget that they have to prepare their pets as well. Congrats.
Kat
Thank you! It’s so important to prepare pets and easy to forget to!