Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Prepare your dog for a new baby. Pre-birth training, safe introductions, managing jealousy, and creating harmony between babies and dogs.
Key Information
What You Need to Know
Practical Recommendations
Expert Tips
Understanding the Research
Budgeting for Pet Care
Related Guides
Explore more of our comprehensive pet care resources.
- All Pet Care Guides
- Dog Health Resources
- Cat Health Resources
- Pet Care Tools & Calculators
- Find Local Vets & Pet Services
Common Questions
Where can I learn more?
Practice baby gates, a mat away from the crib, and handling of ears and tails before the birth. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has family-dog guidance. A dog that guards food or stares at the baby needs a qualified trainer and a veterinary pain check. Never leave the dog and the infant unsupervised.
How often should I take my pet to the vet?
Examine the dog before the baby comes home, while pain, parasites, and vaccines can be handled in a calmer house. Puppies in that household are seen every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Adult dogs need at least a yearly exam, and many dogs from about 7 years, giant breeds earlier, are examined about every six months, and an older dog who becomes snappy around a toddler is often painful. A bite to a person is urgent. Guarding the crib is a training problem and also a reason to keep the next wellness visit.
How can I save money on pet care?
A bite to a person is an emergency and a behavior problem you will pay someone to help with after the fact. The sequence that avoids that outcome is an exam before the baby comes home, so pain is not mistaken for temperament, and a plan for where the dog rests. Baby gates you already can borrow beat a new crate you do not need. Do not skip the yearly visit because the nursery was expensive.