Preparing Your Dog For A New Baby’s Arrival

As a dog trainer, I’ve guided many families through the process of preparing their dogs for a new baby. But now, I get to experience it from a very special perspective – my own daughter is expecting her first child soon, and we’ve been working together to make sure her dog, Zoe, is ready for the arrival of this new little family member.

Even the best-trained dog can feel unsettled when a baby suddenly appears in their home. By taking time to teach helpful skills, establish new boundaries, and introduce routines early, we can set our dogs up for success. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing with Zoe – helping her feel confident, calm, and included as life begins to change around her.

1. Building comfort behind a barrier

Baby gates are becoming part of Zoe’s new normal. We’ve been working on helping her feel relaxed behind one by rewarding calm behavior and making it a positive place to be. The goal is for Zoe to wait patiently on the other side of a gate when asked, especially at the nursery door. Practicing this now gives her a clear sense of what’s expected and helps her see boundaries as safe, not restrictive.

2. Refreshing door manners

Once the baby arrives, there will be plenty of visitors – family, friends, deliveries, and well-wishers. We’re teaching Zoe to stay calm when the doorbell rings and to greet guests politely without jumping. Our guests know the rules: no attention until Zoe’s four paws are on the ground. Once she’s calm, she earns her reward – some affection and praise.

These door manners aren’t just polite; they help reduce chaos and keep everyone, including Zoe, feeling more relaxed.

3. Mastering “relax on a mat”

Zoe’s “go to mat” cue has been a lifesaver. Her mat has become a portable relaxation zone that can move with her – whether it’s beside the changing table, near the rocking chair, or in the living room during feeding time. It gives her a job to do and helps her feel secure in the middle of all the baby activity.

4. Adjusting sleeping logistics

We’ve started preparing Zoe for nighttime routines. Since the baby will be sleeping in my daughter’s room, Zoe needs to get used to resting elsewhere – like in her crate or behind a gate. We started this transition early so that when the baby comes, it’s not a sudden change. It’s simply the way things have been for a while.

5. Introducing baby items and noises

As new baby gear arrives, we let Zoe explore at her own pace – sniffing, observing, and practicing her calm behavior around it. Since baby toys look a lot like dog toys, we’re practicing “leave it” and “trade” to prevent confusion later.

We’re also desensitizing Zoe to the sounds of a newborn by playing YouTube videos of baby cries while offering her treats or engaging her in fun activities. This helps her learn that baby noises are just another part of life – not something to worry about.

6. Practicing real-life scenarios

To make things feel familiar before the baby arrives, we’ve been rehearsing real-life moments. My daughter walks Zoe beside the stroller and practices commands while carrying a baby doll wrapped in a blanket. It may look funny, but it’s incredibly effective. These small practice sessions teach Zoe that her cues still apply even when my daughter’s hands are full, or her focus is divided.

7. Making the first meeting positive

We plan on capitalizing on Zoe’s incredible sense of smell. While my daughter is in the hospital, we’ll send home an article of clothing or a baby blanket that carries both her scent and the baby’s. This allows Zoe to begin recognizing and accepting the baby’s scent before the first meeting. We’ll encourage gentle sniffing and calmly say, “Good girl,” as she explores it. We will not, however, let her play with or keep the item – it’s for familiarization, not for chewing or carrying around.

When mom, dad and baby come home, Zoe will be allowed to greet mom and dad first—without the baby present – to let out that initial excitement. Then, with Zoe on a leash, we’ll allow her to sniff the baby’s feet while staying calm and earning treats for gentle behavior. These early moments are key to setting a positive tone for their lifelong bond.

8. Reinforcing positive associations

We will be sure to give Zoe attention when the baby is awake – not just when he is napping. It may seem small, but it teaches Zoe that the baby’s presence predicts good things. Instead of thinking “I get ignored when the baby’s awake,” she’ll learn that baby awake time means attention, play, or a tasty chew nearby.

9. Practicing calm handling

We’ve also been working on collar handling – gently holding Zoe’s collar and rewarding her for staying relaxed. It’s a simple but valuable skill that allows my daughter to safely guide Zoe if needed without creating tension or fear.

A new chapter for Zoe - and our family

Watching my daughter prepare for motherhood has been incredibly special, and seeing Zoe adapt with such grace has been just as rewarding. She’s learning that structure, consistency, and calm guidance make everything more predictable – even big changes like welcoming a new baby.

Helping Zoe through this transition has reminded me why I love what I do: guiding both people and dogs through life’s changes so they can thrive together. With thoughtful preparation, any dog – like Zoe – can welcome a new baby with confidence, trust, and joy.