Dog Meets Baby Blog

There is so much advice on the internet when you type in ‘How to introduce your baby to your dog.’ Some tips are great, some are common myths, and some are plain dangerous.

I probably wouldn’t be talking about it so much if it wasn’t for my own experience.

Lola, my well-socialized, well-trained Labrador Retriever, was 5 years old when I had my twins. Typical for her breed, she loved everyone.

But when I brought my kids home, their early-term cries and movements switched on Lola's predatory instincts. The moment she saw them, she was hunting.

My first baby was ready to hurt my 5.5 pound twins. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.

As a dog trainer, I knew what to do—and we had a solid foundation of obedience to work from. But what if I didn’t have my kids in a crib? What if I gave her free access to my kids? Just the thought of it makes me nauseous.

I don’t want any parent to go through that fear that doesn’t go away right away. I didn’t trust my dog for months ...

Every dog and owner have unique and sometimes subtle ways of communicating with each other. ⁠When you have a baby, it is unavoidable that the unique language you and your dog have developed together will be interrupted. Your dynamic will change.⁠

Pre-baby evening routine

Your dog brings you a toy and barks excitedly! Playtime! Yay!
Followed by snuggles on the couch, your dog’s face and paws in your lap.

Post-baby evening routine

You sit on the couch holding your newborn baby.
Your dog brings the toy over and barks! You tell your dog, “QUIET!” and take the toy away.
Your dog jumps on the couch to get attention, but your lap and hands are unavailable. You tell your dog, “OFF!”


Your dog will try the same behaviors that have worked in the past. When those behaviors don’t work, they may try other ways to get your attention, e.g., by demand barking or being jumpy and pushy. Or extra clingy.

What does it mean?

Many parents interpret these behaviors as their dog being jealous of the...

Many pregnant and new moms (and dads) may be thinking “I resent my dog,” and don’t want to talk about it… But this is something that definitely needs to be discussed. It is normal to feel frustration, guilt, grief, and resentment towards your furry friend when this big change happens in your family.

It’s Normal To Resent Your Dog

Along with pregnancy or becoming a new mom, you are experiencing a lot of changes. This resentment may show up in different forms. For example, you might

• Feel emotions such as guilt, anger, rage, or frustration
• Feel like you are failing your dog and at being a mom to both your dog and newborn
• Be too tired and sleep-deprived to spend time with your dog like you used to
• Not have the energy to play with them or be the one to take them on walks
• Not have as much time to spend with them
• Feel like your dog would be better off if they were with another family

But no matter how you are feeling, it can be tough to navigate these new emotions when your dog u...

With a new baby on the way, you’re probably thinking about what to add to your baby registry… But have you considered adding items that can be equally beneficial for both you and your dog? There are tons of items that can bring you less stress and guilt and more quality time with your baby and dog! Here are 6 dog mom must-haves that will make your life (and your dog’s) so much easier!

1. Robotic Vacuum or Cordless Vacuum

You may already be used to the dog hair, but just wait until your little one starts crawling around… You won’t believe how much they can pick up! On their clothes, in their mouths, and everywhere else!

I highly recommend getting a robotic vacuum to do the work for you. It’s one less thing you need to stress about every week. Or, you can opt for a cordless vacuum that is easy to use and doesn’t have a long cord that your baby would play with. 

2. Puzzle Toys

Some other dog mom must-haves are puzzle toys for your dog. Puzzle toys can keep them occupied and allow y...

The arrival of a new baby is a huge transition for your dog, and it’s something is recommended to prepare for! Here are some simple ways to prepare during each trimester to make the transition easier.

1st Trimester

During your first trimester, I think it’s best to just relax! Yes, it’s important to prepare your dog for baby, but both you and your partner are going through some huge changes. You probably aren’t feeling the best and you’re just trying to survive with this big news. So just focus on yourself, let your partner focus on helping you, and relax! The time to train and prepare your dog for baby will come soon enough.

2nd Trimester

Ideally, this is the time when you start to think about training. If your dog is already well-behaved, you could wait until around 20-24 weeks to start training. However, you will want to start sooner if your dog has more serious behavioral issues as those take longer to address. 

If you are able to start your training during the 2nd trimester,...

The process of IVF is different for everyone who experiences it. However, one thing that people who are trying to conceive have in common is the desire to add a new member to their family. Although it may not be necessary for all families, handling a dog and IVF could be just what you need to get through some tough times.

Your Dog Can Support You

As you start IVF treatment, you are probably feeling so many emotions. Excitement, nervousness, frustration, fear… and all of these emotions are heightened by the drug regimen you are on to boost your hormones. Your dog can be a great support system throughout your whole IVF journey. They may not fully understand that you are trying to have a baby, but they can recognize the different emotions you are feeling and can be there for extra snuggles during the hard times.

A Good Distraction

Your dog can also provide you with a distraction during the long process of TTC and pregnancy. They are a bundle of happiness for many moms and dads and ...

Among many other things during your pregnancy, how your dog starts to respond to you can come as a complete surprise! How dogs react to human pregnancy can vary from dog to dog. Most dogs won’t change or have a surprising reaction, but it is very possible that your dog’s behavior during pregnancy can change… for good or for bad.

Can Dogs Sense Pregnancy in Their Owners?

The short answer is: Yes! Many moms have shared that their dogs seemed to know they were pregnant before they did. Dogs can certainly pick up on the changes in smell from your pregnancy hormones. They can tell something is changing, even if they don’t understand that it is because of a baby.

However, this doesn’t always mean that their behavior will change. While some dogs can have more reactive or loving behaviors, others have no change at all. Some dogs may even change their behavior during different trimesters, and other times, dog behavior during pregnancy can change with each pregnancy. However, many people agre...

After months of waiting, you finally have had the opportunity to introduce your dog to the newest little member of your family. All of the hard work is over, right?

Sadly, there is a whole other side to life with a dog and baby that many people who have always held the title of “dog mom” don’t realize will come into play once that baby arrives!

Dog Mom Guilt

One of the biggest changes, and something that isn’t talked about enough, is the guilt that you may feel once your baby arrives. This goes beyond new baby mom guilt because you now have to figure out how to balance a new baby and dog all at once. For most, this means that your dog, who used to be your baby and your whole world, will start to be left out or won’t get the attention you want to give them.

 The introduction of a baby changes the dynamic that you had, and you have to learn how to be the best mom for your baby and the best dog mom for your dog, all at once. Just remember that you aren’t alone in this! There are so ma...

For many families in the United States, parental leave is considered a luxury. The fact that you have to somehow make everything work while you are still trying to get used to being a new mom is miserable! It takes a toll on many moms in more ways than one. The lack of paternity leave in the U.S. is made even more difficult when you have to not only worry about a newborn but a dog too! I completely understand how you feel. It sucks that you have to simply cross your fingers and hope that everything goes smoothly while you are at work.

If you are struggling with this, here are three tips for when you are trying to juggle baby and dog when your parental leave is over:

1. Make Preparations for Baby and Dog

The more you prepare your dog for the addition of a new family member, the easier it will be! 

One way that you can ease your dog into life with baby is by practicing stroller walks and teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash before the baby is born. Having a well trained dog ...