Congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ll soon be welcoming a new addition or have just brought them home. While an exciting time, becoming a new parent brings many new experiences. This includes introducing your dog to your baby. Rather than diving straight in, baby-dog introductions take time, patience, and planning. Changes that come with a newborn can cause your dog stress, and they can’t ask what’s happening! Keeping calm and positive during the entire introduction process is key to ensuring that emotions (human or canine) don’t spiral.
There’s no particular way dogs react to babies — each dog is different, says Joe Nutkins, a Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer and canine behaviorist. “A Labrador who has never had experience with children may find a new baby stressful,” he continues. “Meanwhile, a Boxer that has grown up with family and friends bringing their children to visit could be very acclimated to a young baby and adjust without problems.”\
However, Nutkins says some breeds can be more adaptable to living with a newborn (and eventually toddlers). These include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Coton de Tuleaur, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, some Terriers and Spaniel breeds, and even the Bernese Mountain Dog. He adds that some typically like the attention of children as they grow but are not generally noise sensitive or overly boisterous.”
Below, we explain the best ways to prepare your dog for a new arrival and all the steps to properly introduce your pup and a baby.
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