Introducing Your Dog to Your Baby

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 16
5 min read

Expanding your family can be an exciting time! But it’s also a time that requires preparation for everyone in your home, both two and four-legged.

Whether you have a dog and are about to welcome a new baby or you have a baby and are getting ready to adopt a new dog, you’ll want to create a safe environment for everyone. But how can you make sure everyone coexists safely and peacefully?

Here are some tips on how to navigate this exciting transition.

1. Prepare Your (Current) Dog Before Baby Arrives

If your dog is already established in your home and you are getting ready to welcome a new baby, this section is for you. Otherwise, skip to the next section!

Before your baby arrives, you need to start preparing your pup. Begin the training process well before your due date. This includes:

Reinforcing obedience commands like sit, stay, leave it, and kennel
Practicing walking calmly with a stroller or listening to baby sounds (like crying or cooing)
Setting up baby gear early so your dog gets used to new sights and smells
Teaching your dog not to go into your baby’s room

If your dog has behavioral issues, like jumping, guarding, or fearfulness, address these with a trainer or behaviorist before your baby arrives.

2. Prepare Your (New) Dog

Before your new dog meets your baby, give them time to decompress and get comfortable in your home. You should also work with them on simple commands like sit, stay, and leave it.

Training is a key safety tool. A well-trained dog is easier to manage in new or stressful situations, including interactions with babies.

Once your new dog feels comfortable in your home and knows basic commands, introductions can be done much more safely.

Disclaimer: If your dog has a history of fear, anxiety, or aggression, especially toward babies or children, consult a trainer or behaviorist before making introductions.

Learn more: The 3-3-3 Rule

3. Establish Boundaries Immediately

Whether you already have a baby and are bringing home a new dog or vice versa, decide what areas of your home will be dog-free zones before your new arrival comes through the door. This can include the nursery or your bedroom if you have a bassinet next to your bed.

Use gates, baby monitors, or closed doors to immediately set those as no-go zones for a dog.

Also, practice setting physical boundaries, like:

Teaching your dog not to jump up when you’re holding something
Encouraging your dog to wait before entering certain rooms

The sooner your dog learns these limits, the less disruptive they’ll be around a baby.

Pro tip: Your dog needs to understand your baby and your baby’s space is sacred. You control access to your baby, and you control access to your baby’s spaces. Your dog should NEVER control access to your baby or your baby’s space.

4. Make the First Meeting Calm and Controlled

Give your dog time to adjust to the smells and sounds of a baby before allowing them to be in the same room as your baby. Then, have one adult focus on your dog while the other holds your baby.

To start integrating your dog and baby:

Keep your dog on a leash, even if they’re well-behaved
Let your dog sniff a baby blanket or clothing item first to satisfy their curiosity
When calm, allow your dog to observe from a short distance
Reward your dog for calm behavior with treats and praise

The goal is to keep everything low-key. Excitement or nervousness can create tension. Don’t rush it. First impressions matter, and calm curiosity is crucial.

Pro tip: There’s really no reason for your dog to have their face in your baby’s face or snuggle with your baby. Just don’t do that.

5. Supervise Every Interaction

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, dogs should never be left alone with a baby or young child. It doesn’t matter how gentle or well-behaved your dog is. It’s just not worth the risk.

It’s also wise to make sure you understand basic dog body language so you can intervene if your dog gets agitated around your baby. Signs your dog may be uncomfortable include:

Growling or walking away
Lip licking, yawning, or avoiding eye contact
Tense body or stiff movements

If you see these signs, calmly separate your dog and baby and give your dog a break.

Make sure to use playpens, bassinets, crates, and baby gates to maintain safe physical barriers when you can’t be actively watching.

Learn More: Preventing Dog Bites

6. Keep Routines as Consistent as Possible

Dogs thrive on routine, so try to maintain regular feeding, walking, playtimes, and house rules. This helps reduce stress and, if your dog was in your home before your baby, prevents your dog from associating your baby with lost attention.

If possible, enlist help from a partner, friend, or dog walker to keep your dog’s life active and positive.

Disruptions are inevitable, but small touches of normalcy can help reduce your dog's stress.

7. Have Solo Time With Your Dog

It's easy to feel like there's no time for anything else when you're adjusting to life with a newborn. Throwing a dog into the mix can complicate things even further.

However, carving out even 10 to 15 minutes a day for one-on-one time with your dog can make a huge difference.

Go for a short walk, play fetch, or give them belly rubs without any baby gear in sight. It tells your dog that they’re part of the family and loved.

8. Involve Your Dog in Baby Life (Safely)

Once your dog shows calm curiosity and trust, let them be a gentle part of daily routines. They could:

Calmly sit nearby during feeding or diaper changes
Walk together with the stroller
Lay at your feet during tummy time (with supervision)
Receive treats and praise when they behave around your baby

If your dog interacts appropriately, reward them to build positive associations with your baby.

9. Be Patient and Realistic

Even the friendliest dog may need time to adjust. Always prioritize safety over speed.

Just like you’re learning how to be a parent, your dog is learning how to be a big brother or sister. Some dogs adapt quickly, while others need more time.

Go at your dog’s pace. Watch their body language. And remember that every peaceful, calm interaction is a step in the right direction.

10. Be Smart

We know this is harsh, but the number of stupid Instagram reels and TikToks we see of parents sharing what they believe are cute moments between their dog and baby that are actually downright dangerous is astounding.

Your dog “protecting” your baby isn’t cute. That’s dangerous. Your baby laying on your dog isn’t cute. It's dangerous. Your dog in your baby’s crib with your baby isn’t cute. It’s dangerous.

Also, if you have a big dog, don’t attach your dog’s leash to your baby’s stroller. That’s dangerous.

Exercise common sense. If you have to question whether or not something might be dangerous, just don’t do it.

Final Thoughts

Introducing your dog to your baby is about safety and building a foundation for a future friendship. With preparation, boundaries, and love, you’ll create an environment where everyone feels comfortable.