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Introducing Dogs and Babies

By Carrie Wooddell

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It's an exciting time when preparing for a newborn baby. As expecting parents, we try to do everything right. From researching the best cribs, car seats, and even baby lotions! Preparing your dog for the upcoming changes should be top on the checklist but often gets overlooked. Parents don't like to hear that the number of child dog bites has risen, most of which are preventable. You can keep your baby safe by adequately managing your environment around dogs and kids, learning the warning signs to watch for when your dog is around your baby, and giving your dog coping behaviors as they adapt to all the changes.

There are some common misconceptions about the relationship between a baby and a dog. Conflicting information can distort your perception that a dog and a baby are safely coexisting. Adding a new baby can make your dog unsettled, as it doesn't always understand its new purpose now. Training and preparing your dog will help them adjust to their new jobs and boundaries, helping set them up for the most success.

Making the introduction comfortable for your dog will help get the relationship with your baby off to a good start. We have a step-by-step demonstration in the Dogs to Diapers online course to help navigate these precious times. There are mixed opinions online and in books about allowing the dog to smell a blanket from the baby before their meeting. This advice can be very confusing for the dog. We do not know how your dog will perceive this new odor from the baby. If you think about it, this is comparable to the dog just sniffing a stranger. We want to ensure that the dog has a positive association with the smell of your infant, and we have developed a system that does just that.

Another critical step in successfully introducing your dog and baby is recognizing your dog's body language. This skill will give you insight into how your dog copes with the new addition. Dogs communicate when they are stressed, anxious, or showing signs that could lead to aggression. Understanding these signs and your dog will keep your baby safe and your dog content.

It's a good idea to prepare your dog for a healthy dog and baby relationship before you bring your newborn home. A prepared dog respects boundaries, understands its purpose around the baby, has healthy outlets, and engages independently with interactive toys. Assuming that your dog will receive less attention can help you prepare and train your dog to adjust to a new schedule and relationship. The most critical information we can provide our clients is that the dog and baby introduction is about safety, management, and behavior.

As dog training experts, we have years of knowledge and experience in safely introducing your dog to your new bundle of joy. Our online course explains our credibility in this subject matter and provides coaching and training tips on safely teaching and preparing your dog for life after your baby. It also follows Carrie's personal journey with her dogs as she waits for the arrival of her newborn. Congratulations on wanting the best for your dog as you prepare for this next chapter of your new life with the baby.

Why Dogs to Diapers

Dogs to Diapers is an online course that guides families on how to include their dog in the changes, including life with a newborn. This course is a gentle approach to helping your family pet acclimate to life after kids.

Being proactive on this journey sets your dog up for the most success. Most families wait until an incident has occurred before seeking the help and information this course provides. Being over-prepared on a matter as critical as your newborn's safety and your dog's well-being should be prioritized when expecting. Your home should be a prepared haven for your new arrival.

We created Dogs to Diapers because:

We believe dogs don't have to be victims of changing circumstances surrounding newborns. They can be active participants in a safe way.
The information on the internet is conflicting and can cause more harm than good to pet people wanting the best for their dog and baby.
Too many parents seek information after a growling or snapping incident and remain shocked that they never saw it coming.
Dog Trainers, doulas, birth educators, and childcare providers around the country needed a reliable source to refer to their expecting clients.

All the knowledge families need to prepare and manage their dogs reliably is laid out, practical, and ready to apply immediately for results.

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About Author

Carrie Wooddell

Carrie has been training dogs professionally for almost 20 years. She currently resides in Florida with her husband, where they operate their pet training business, The Doghouse, LLC, serving the greater St. Petersburg/Tampa area. Carrie is a certified Service Dog Instructor. She now specializes in the rehabilitation of aggressive dogs but in the past, trained several dogs appearing in commercials and movies. She is an active competitor in dog sports and has earned titles for French Ring 2, Mondio Ring 3, and IPO 3 with her Belgium Malinois. In 2016, Carrie and her Malinois were qualified for the Mondio Ring World Team in 2016.