New Baby Transition Visits
Because there’s plenty of love to go around.
Bringing home a new baby is a big adjustment for the whole family — including your fur baby!
As a mom and pet parent myself, I know how important it is to help our human babies and fur babies start off on the right paw. Our New Baby Transition Visits give your dog extra attention, exercise, love, and consistency while your family settles into its new routine.
We’re here to help your pup feel loved, included, and secure during this exciting transition — while giving new parents one less thing to worry about.
Check out Amy’s article on Studio 512
What to Do While You’re Expecting
Make Changes to Your Dog’s Routine Early
Dogs thrive on routine and consistency. If you know things are going to change once the baby arrives, start making those adjustments ahead of time.
Moving the dog bed to make room for a bassinet? Blocking off a room or staircase? Changing when your dog gets walked or fed?
Whenever possible, make these changes gradually before your baby comes home. This allows your dog to adjust without associating every change with the arrival of the baby.
Introduce Baby Gear
Babies come with all kinds of new gadgets and gizmos — swings, rockers, strollers, rattles and toys that move, light up and make unfamiliar sounds.
Let your dog investigate these new items before your baby arrives.
Start with the item turned off. Once your dog is comfortable with its presence, introduce movement or sound at a low level while offering praise or a favorite treat.
The goal is simple: new baby things = good things happen.
Introduce New Smells
Your dog experiences so much of the world through their nose, so let them become familiar with some of the new scents that will soon be part of everyday life.
Baby lotion, wipes, shampoo and other baby products can all be introduced gradually. Let your dog investigate without forcing interaction, and reward calm behavior.
When baby comes home, not everything will be brand new.
Get Comfortable Around Children
Rather than immediately putting your dog into the middle of the action, start from a comfortable distance.
Take a walk near families or visit an area where children are playing and allow your dog to observe. Reward relaxed, calm behavior and watch their body language closely.
Work on Manners Now
Behaviors that aren’t a big deal today can become much more challenging when you’re eight months pregnant or carrying a newborn.
Jumping, rushing through doors, pulling on the leash, crowding your space or jumping toward a stroller are all worth addressing before baby arrives.
I’m especially fond of teaching cues such as “place,” “wait,” and “back” because they can help create comfortable boundaries without excluding your dog from family life.
If your dog needs some extra help, this is a great time to bring in a positive, qualified professional trainer.
Get Comfortable Around Children
If your dog is already comfortable around children, wonderful! If your fur baby has mostly lived in an adults-only world, the sounds and movements of little ones may be unfamiliar.
Rather than immediately putting your dog into the middle of the action, start from a comfortable distance.
Take a walk near families or visit an area where children are playing and allow your dog to observe. Reward relaxed, calm behavior and watch their body language closely.
Never force an interaction. If your dog appears fearful, anxious, overly excited, reactive, or uncomfortable around children, give them more distance and consider working with a qualified professional dog trainer or behavior professional before your baby arrives.
Stock Up on Favorite Toys & Enrichment
Prepare ahead with some favorite toys, chews, food puzzles, lick mats or other safe enrichment activities your dog enjoys.
Future sleep-deprived you will be very glad you did!
Introduce New Smells
Your dog experiences so much of the world through their nose, so let them become familiar with some of the new scents that will soon be part of everyday life.
Baby lotion, wipes, shampoo and other baby products can all be introduced gradually. Let your dog investigate without forcing interaction, and reward calm behavior.
When baby comes home, not everything will be brand new.
Build Your Pet Care Village
Please don’t wait until you’re in labor to figure out who’s taking care of the dog!
Babies rarely consult our calendars before deciding to arrive, so have someone dependable who can step in at any hour.
At Happy Tails Pet Care, our team approach means your pet can become familiar with their Pet Care Specialist as well as backup members of our team.
We recommend scheduling walks or visits before your due date so your dog already knows us, we know their routine, and everything is in place when it’s go-time.
Then, while you’re focused on welcoming your newest little love, you can know your fur baby is being loved and cared for, too.
While You're at the Hospital
Introduce Your Baby's Scent
Allow your dog to investigate it calmly and at their own pace. Pair the experience with praise or treats so your baby’s new scent becomes associated with something positive.
Don’t force your dog to sniff it. Let that curious nose do the work!
When Baby Comes Home
Keep the Homecoming Calm
Keep greetings calm and give your dog an opportunity to reconnect with you before introducing the baby.
If possible, have another adult securely hold the baby while you greet your dog and give them some undivided attention.
Give Your Dog Some Exercise
This isn’t about exhausting your dog. It’s about meeting some of their physical and mental needs so they aren’t coming into this exciting new experience bursting with pent-up energy.
Make the First Introduction Calm & Gradual
There is no need to rush the first meeting.
Choose a quiet environment, keep your dog under the control of a responsible adult, and allow them to observe the baby from a comfortable distance.
Reward calm behavior and let your dog’s body language guide the pace.
You don’t need to encourage close contact or have your dog sniff the baby’s face. Your dog has plenty of time to learn about this fascinating new little human!
And no matter how wonderful your dog is, always actively supervise interactions between dogs and babies.
Keep Meeting Your Dog's Needs
Try to maintain as much consistency as you reasonably can.
This is also where having a trusted dog walker can be an enormous help. While you’re feeding, healing, sleeping when you can, and soaking up those newborn moments, someone else can make sure your fur baby gets some much-needed one-on-one time.
And when your pup comes home happy after their walk, give them a little love of your own, too.
Give Your Dog a Safe Place to Relax
Your dog can be included in family life without needing to be right next to you and the baby. A comfortable dog bed, crate, mat or designated space gives them somewhere safe to settle while you’re feeding, changing, or cuddling your newborn.
Reward them for relaxing there so their special spot feels like a good place to be — never a punishment.
The Happy Tails Takeaways
Congratulations From Happy Tails!
Most of all, give yourself — and your dog — some grace.
Your family is changing, routines will shift, and everyone will need a little time to find their new normal.
With preparation, patience, positive experiences and plenty of love, you can help your fur baby adjust to their newest family member and begin building what we hope will become a beautiful friendship.
From all of us at Happy Tails Pet Care, congratulations on your growing family! We would be honored to help make the transition a little easier for you and your fur baby.