Preparing your dog for a new baby: a calm month-by-month plan

When to start preparing your dog for a baby

The plan's timeline starts around four to five months before the due date, but even a few weeks of preparation helps. The rule of thumb: anything that will be different after the baby comes should start well before, so your dog doesn't connect the changes with the baby. Training happens in short sessions of three to five minutes, once or twice a day.

Month by month: a vet check, new house rules and basic skills such as settling on a mat, leave it and waiting at doors first; then baby gates, a safe zone, sound training and walking beside an empty pram; then the new daily routine, practice with a doll and baby smells; and in the last month the dog's overnight bag, the helper plan and the homecoming plan.

Baby sounds and new house rules

Sound training starts with recordings of a baby crying, cooing and giggling at the lowest volume your dog can just hear, paired with treats or a calm chew. The volume only goes up when your dog stays relaxed. Baby smells and baby gear are introduced one at a time.

New house rules – which rooms your dog may use, the sofa and the bed, where your dog sleeps and eats – are decided and started months ahead, together with baby gates and a safe zone where nobody disturbs your dog.

Bringing baby home: the first meeting

A helper walks your dog before you come home. The parent who has been away greets the dog calmly first, without the baby. Then the baby comes in, with your dog on a lead or behind a gate. Your dog watches from a distance and is rewarded for calm behaviour, and gets a brief sniff of the baby's feet or blanket only if relaxed. Your dog is never forced closer.

Stress signals to watch for

The guide shows the small, early signals – lip licking, yawning, whale eye, turning away, freezing, ears pinned back, a tense body, panting and pacing – and what to do when you see them: calmly increase the distance, let your dog go to its safe zone and note what happened. If your dog growls, snaps, guards or seems very stressed, talk to your vet or a certified dog behaviourist.

FAQ

When should I start preparing my dog for a baby?

The earlier the better: the plan's timeline starts around four to five months before the due date, so new routines and rules come in small steps instead of all at once. Even a few weeks of preparation helps.

How do I introduce my dog to the baby when we come home?

Keep the first meeting short and calm, with your dog on a lead or behind a gate, and reward calm behaviour. The plan has a step-by-step homecoming plan and a printable homecoming checklist.

What if my dog seems stressed around the baby?

The guide lists common stress signals to watch for and what to do when you see them. If you're worried, talk to your vet or a certified dog behaviourist.

What format is it?

A printable A4 PDF with 14 printables, in English and Norwegian (both versions included), downloaded right after purchase. Nothing is shipped.