Congratulations! Your family is getting a little bigger. With everything now on your to-do list, it is understandable that you are excited as parents. The excitement that comes with the arrival of a new baby may as well extend to your dog.

There is no doubt that a dog is a great companion to you and your spouse, and with the proper training, it can be loving and provide a calming presence to your child. According to several studies, children who grow up with dogs in their homes are less likely to experience anxiety as they grow and much later in their lives.

So, what are the best tips for introducing a dog to your baby? In this article, we shall cover exactly that in a bid to ensure that those introductions and dog-to-newborn interactions are safe and successful.

Introducing a dog to your baby

Establish new routines

The arrival of a new baby may disorganize your dog's routine in some ways. For instance, if your dog was used to regular morning walks, strict feeding schedules, specific playtime hours, et cetera, when a new baby enters the picture, all of these rituals may suddenly be jumbled, thus confusing your dog. As such, it is critical that you begin introducing new routines a few months before the due date so that your dog can get used to them.

If you intend to take your baby out when you used to take your dog for a walk, it's better that you begin walking your dog at a different time as early as possible so that it can get used to it early enough.

With a new baby around, it is understandable that you must divert some attention away from your dog. As such, begin weaning your dog off too much attention as early as possible.

Initiate clear boundaries between your dog and baby.

Whether you like it or not, setting well-defined boundaries between your dog and baby is appropriate. A few months before your little angel arrives, it is good to begin setting boundaries so that the room where your baby will spend is dog-free. In such situations, it is best to have your dog well-trained so she won't enter your baby's nursery without your permission.

Introduce your dog and baby progressively.

On the first day, when your baby arrives, keep the dog on a leash, keeping calm and relaxed so your dog follows your cue. Let the dog sniff the baby from a distance.

As the days go by, allow the dog to come closer and closer to the baby while also training her to maintain definite boundaries with the baby. During this period, speak to your pup and praise good behaviour, especially when around the baby. During this period, make sure that all movements and interactions are closely monitored.

Give the dog space to explore its surroundings.

Despite you setting boundaries, it is essential that you give your dog a chance to get used to strange items that a new baby comes along with, like strollers and baby toys.

Such new items are understandably completely foreign to your dog and can result in increased anxiety. As such, it is important that you give your dog a chance to get used to them all by encouraging him to sniff them, of course, from a safe distance. If you have some of the noisy toys, it is advisable that you introduce your dog to the noises early. You also need to introduce your dog to any lotions you plan to use on your baby so that he gets used to them.

Don’t completely ignore your dog

Despite the arrival of your little angel, it is also important to provide your dog attention because he is one of the family members. Do not deprive your dog of the affection it had prior to your baby's arrival. Your dog still needs the usual daily exercise, playtime and affection. Maintaining the usual routine will guarantee security for your home and, of course, your new baby. You can maintain the usual routines by ensuring that when your baby is awake, this can be the perfect time for you to spend time with your dog. When you only show affection to the dog when the baby is away, he will notice and might think that the baby is why he doesn't get the attention and affection.

Teach your baby that the dog is part of the family.

Even as you teach your dog to maintain boundaries and respect your baby, it is important that you also teach your baby to respect the dog. Teach your baby as early as possible that the dog is also part of the family. This will also help bond them, even as the baby grows.

According to numerous studies, kids and dogs can build extremely strong bonds over time. When appropriate, give your baby and dog time and opportunities to bond for better interactions in the long run.

Teach your dog to "go to place."

Before the little angel arrives, you can consistently teach your dog to “go to place.” You can do this by using a defined area to teach this behaviour.

For instance, stand beside the area you want your dog to go, point to the area, praise as soon as your dog is in his place, and reward with treats. Use a release command like “Okay!” and throw a treat to encourage your dog to come off the mat.

When your dog learns where his place is, add a sit or down.

And how about some beautiful photographs?

Your growing family deserves some stunning portraits, so if you love the idea of finally getting your family album started… get in touch!

How to Introduce a Dog to a Baby: Tips for Dogs and Newborns