We grow our families in many ways – sometimes by four feet and sometimes by two. No matter who, or what, we add, the family dynamic will shift. Shifts can be unsettling for everyone, animals and humans alike. The best course of action is to develop a plan or implement strategies to help all household members best adapt to the changes.





For pet owners, one of the most monumental shifts your household will experience is if you bring a baby into the fold. This wonderful and celebratory time comes with many changes. While you can’t exactly predict what your baby will be like, you can help your dogs adjust to the little one by doing the following before and after the baby comes home. 





Introduce Noise
Babies cry – sometimes a lot. There’s no avoiding that a baby makes a lot of noise. Dogs, whose hearing is much better than our own, are especially sensitive to sounds. A great way to help get your dogs used to a crying baby is by playing records of one throughout the home. By pulling up crying baby sounds on your phone, you can strategically place it in areas of the home the baby will likely frequent – like the nursery, your room, and even the living room. 





You want your dogs to be familiar with the sound so that when the baby arrives, they are not having harsh reactions. It also allows you to gauge your dog’s sensitivity and get an understanding on if he will be bothered by the added noise. If he is, you can work with a trainer or veterinarian to find the best coping methods. 





Create Barriers
We know you love to cuddle your dogs and you’ll be spending a lot of time hanging out cuddling your newborn. However, placing barriers like gates between you and your dogs is recommended for safety. This allows you to be near your dogs without the looming threat of them reacting negatively to your baby’s sudden noises or movements. 





It also provides a safe space for your dog to relax while still being able to see you. 





Provide Distractions





Let’s be honest, a lot of your time is going to be consumed by your baby. At least for a little while. This means your dog may not be receiving the same amount of exercise or brain stimulation. Toys and treats can be especially handy during this time – giving your dog a much needed distraction and giving you some time to focus on other things. 





Long last chew toys and high-value treats are perfect for this scenario. Be sure to stock up on these, if you can, prior to the baby’s arrival. 





Slow Introductions
The truth is, we never know how our dog will react to a baby – or anything new. Take your time introducing him to your baby. Start with allowing him to sniff you and an object like a blanket that the baby has been wrapped in. Introducing them by scent first will give the dog some context to who the new human is. 





Short intros through a barrier can be done several times a day until your dog displays relaxed behavior around the infant. Use careful judgment before removing barriers and be sure you have someone else on hand when entering a room with your dog and baby for the first time.





One on One Time





Last, but certainly not least, soak up all the one on one time you get with your dog. Both before and after your baby comes home. This change is exciting and challenging for everyone – especially your dog who will struggle to grasp the way in which his world is changing