Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby

Preparation is everything. Before your baby arrives, we can work on life-saving cues like "Leave It" and "Drop," and solidify a "Stay" command. Having these skills polished will make managing your home with a dog and a newborn so much easier.

Getting your dog used to baby equipment *before* the baby comes home is a game-changer. Here, I'm showing how we introduced the stroller on walks, making it a normal part of our routine so it wasn't a scary new object later.

One of my biggest dreams was walking with my baby and my dog together. This is possible with the right training and tools. I can help you achieve calm loose-leash walking and recommend baby carriers that keep you hands-free and confident.

My own dog, Grey, had toileting accidents for three months after I brought my baby home. It happens. This series of images shows exactly how I handled it with patience and management, not punishment.

First, I understood the root cause. Toileting accidents after a major life change are often due to stress and a disrupted routine, not spite. Recognizing this is the first step to solving the problem with empathy.

I increased opportunities for potty breaks. Just like with a new puppy, I took her out more frequently to set her up for success, ensuring her needs were met even when my schedule was chaotic.

I went back to basics and rewarded her heavily for peeing in the right spot. Positive reinforcement for the correct behavior is always more effective than punishing mistakes.

I never punished her for an accident. Punishment would only have added more stress and anxiety to an already confusing time for her, potentially making the problem worse and damaging our relationship.

I used management tools like doggy diapers at night when I knew I couldn't take her out. Management is about preventing the problem from happening in the first place, which is a key part of my training philosophy.