Acclimating a Dog To Baby

1. Start by using the word “baby” as often as possible. Our dog is a quick learner by nature (it’s her heeler breed) so we started using the word baby around her. If you have a name picked out for the baby you can use the name of the baby (we didn’t pick a name until we saw the baby). This will help the dog become familiar with the word and associate the word with the baby when the baby comes home.
2. Walk around the house with a baby doll, especially in the nursery. We only did this a few times but it seemed to catch Daisy’s attention. When holding the doll act as if it’s a real baby (rock baby, cuddle baby, pretend to change diaper, breastfeed). When we rocked the baby doll in the rocking chair and gave the baby doll lots of attention Daisy showed some signs of jealousy (barking, jumping, whining). I am glad we did this in order to show her that something new was coming and it gave us an idea of what might happen at the initial meeting of the baby. 
3. Give the dog their own space in the nursery. We put one of Daisy’s blankets in the nursery about a month before Rory was born.  There is a lot of “nesting” and you’ll spend loads of time in there before the baby arrives so why not make use of acclimating the dog to the new space? This helped Daisy learn the surroundings and gave her a sense of comfort to have her own space with something familiar in the nursery. When Rory came she was trained to sit on the blanket anytime we were in the nursery with Rory. This was a huge help because it still allowed her to be included but from a safe space. The first few days we did use lots of treats to reinforce her to stay in her space. 
4. Use treats! Use a lot of training treats. Need I say more? Reinforcing with treats will get the dog to listen… even when you aren’t acclimating the dog to a baby! 
5. Keep routines the same. Humans are creatures of habit and dogs even more so are. Bringing a baby home will likely raise a dog’s stress level and anxiety because it is something new. Keeping a routine will help keep the dog calm down and reassure the dog of familiarity when everything else feels “out of control” in their mind. We continued walks, same feeding times, and continued giving Daisy plenty of attention. 
6. Get the dog used to the baby’s scent. Dogs have a keen sense of smell. Your newborn baby is going to be wrapped in a blanket at the hospital. Have in mind a specific blanket to send home in order to acclimate your dog to the scent of the baby. We had Andy’s mom bring the blanket home the day before we came home. We also sent home a shirt that Andy was wearing at the hospital so there was a familiar scent along with the new scent.
7. Set a boundary with the dog. We made sure to set boundaries with Daisy that she could not jump on his crib/playpen, go on his blankets, or his play mat.  We also set a boundary that Daisy cannot lick baby’s face. Although dogs are lovable, they are animals and unpredictable. Keeping the dog clear of baby’s face is a sure way to keep your baby safe.
8. Allow the dog to meet baby as soon as possible and do so with caution. When it finally is time to introduce dog to baby, make it happen soon so you can get used to that routine of a family unit. We let the dog meet baby shortly after we got home. We got home and settled ourselves, and than the dog came in to the house. Andy held baby and we allowed Daisy to sniff the baby. We were very careful during this time not to let Daisy get too close. You know your dog best so take note of the dogs reactions, and move with caution as you introduce the baby.
9. Give the dog plenty of quality time. Make sure you still spend time with you dog. We didn’t want Daisy to feel neglected when the baby came so we make it a point to give her quality bonding time. This time can be along with baby so the dog learns that you are all a family unit!  
10. Follow through with the dogs concerns about baby. Daisy is on high alert any time he cries.  When baby cries or makes sounds talk to the dog about it. If the dog reacts to the baby cries, be sure to acknowledge the dog’s worries. When we acknowledge it right away, it gives her reassurance that baby is part of our family and that we are aware of Daiys’s worries/anxiety.

With doing all of these steps, we have found that Daisy has acclimated well to the baby in our home. She has learned baby is a part of our family and she is now just as protective of him as she is of us. It takes time and patience, but you are able to get there with consistency and love!