Things You'll Need:
- Infant doll
- Recordings of baby sounds
- Baby blanket
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Step 1
During your pregnancy, begin to expose your dog to babies. Have your friends bring their children over so your dog can get accustomed to having children around and not be frightened of them.
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Step 2
Buy an infant doll and make it a fixture in your home during your pregnancy. This can help the family dog get used to having a baby around, and can help you teach your dog to not get too close to it or paw it.
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Step 3
Play recordings of a baby crying and cooing. These sounds will probably be totally unfamiliar to your dog, and by exposing him to these sounds before your baby arrives, it will help him to be less startled by the noises once they are present in your home.
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Step 4
While it isn't necessary to take your dog to obedience classes, they can help in introducing her to a newborn. It may not have mattered to you before if your dog could obey commands, but when you have a newborn in your home, you will want to be certain that your dog will do everything you tell her to. It may have been cute for your dog to jump up on you every time you walked through the front door, but that same act could be dangerous and harmful to a baby in your arms. Obedience training can help make your dog calmer and easier to control.
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Step 5
Place a baby gate at the door of your future nursery, so your dog cannot enter the room unless you open the gate and let it in. Your dog will probably get along just fine with your newborn, but that doesn't mean it's OK for the dog to be in the nursery unsupervised with a sleeping baby. By placing a gate at the door, you are teaching your dog that he is not allowed in that room without you.
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Step 6
Once you have had your baby and are still in the hospital, send home a blanket your baby has been swaddled in and give it to your dog. By allowing the dog to have the blanket and smell your baby's unique scent, it will be easier to introduce him to your newborn when you get home, since the dog will already recognize his smell.
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Step 7
When you come home from the hospital, be sure to acknowledge your pet as soon as you enter your home. Pet your dog and give her a lot of attention as soon as you arrive. Then, while holding your baby securely in your arms and shielding his face and head from the dog, slowly introduce the dog to the newborn. Allow your dog to sniff the baby, but don't let her get too aggressive with her affection.
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Step 8
Set aside time each day to spend with your dog after you and your newborn are home. Make sure your dog still feels like part of the family, so he won't become jealous and aggressive toward the baby. Include your dog in everything that you do with your baby--bring the dog on stroller walks and let him cuddle up with you while you feed your new little one.
