Welcoming a Newborn Baby (and Surviving It)

by Amanda Crosland

So, I recently had a baby girl and brought her home to three dogs and a toddler. Sounds like a nightmare, right? That’s what I thought too! But surprisingly, it’s been pretty smooth—mostly because I took steps to prepare my dogs before and after the baby arrived.

Step 1: Teach Your Dogs to Be Alone

One of the first things I did was help my dogs get comfortable being on their own. Let’s be real—when you bring a newborn home, your time and energy revolve around baby snuggles, surviving on minimal sleep, and maintaining your sanity. If your dogs aren’t used to some alone time, they may become needy, clingy, or—worst of all—whiny.

And trust me, there’s nothing worse than finally dozing off after days of sleep deprivation, only to hear “BARK!”—cue a startled newborn scream and a now-wide-awake toddler who had just gone down for a nap five minutes ago. Pure chaos.

This is why teaching your dog to be okay with alone time is one of the most valuable skills before baby arrives.

We have several resources in our program to help with this, but a great place to start is a crate or playpen. Get your dog used to being in it at different times of the day and for varying durations. Practice walking in and out... and in and out... and in and outuntil they trust that you do come back (99% of the time, anyway).

Pro tip: Only reward calm behavior. Ignore whining, barking, or dramatic attention-seeking antics. And if you need extra guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!

Step 2: Teach “Leave It” (Because Dogs Are Nosy)

Your dog will be curious about the tiny human you just brought home. That’s just a fact. Instead of waiting for them to get a little tooup-close-and-personal, teach a solid "leave it" cue.

It’s okay for your dog to be interested—sniffing, glancing, or even walking by casually—but you want to establish boundaries before they get too… let’s just say overly affectionate.

Here’s how to practice: Check out our Step-by-Step Program, specifically Lesson 2.9: "Leave It", which breaks it down into simple, actionable steps.Use a baby doll that moves and makes noise—it’s a great way to introduce the idea of “leave it” before the real baby is in their face.

Step 3: Don’t Forget About Your Dog!

Your pup still exists, and this is a huge change for them too! Before the baby, they had all the attention—walks, playtime, training, belly rubs… and now? They might feel a little left out.

Keeping a routine will help. Stick to regular walks, naps, meals, chews, potty breaks, and all the usual things they love. If you’re struggling to keep up, hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor for help. Rover.com is an awesome place to find affordable dog walkers and private daycares in your area.

Unlike your human children (who will eventually learn to make their own snacks), your dog will always depend on you for everything. You are their world.

Final Thoughts: Be Patient & Reach Out for Help

Adjusting to a new baby takes time—for everyone. Be patient with yourself and your pup. If you didn’t prepare in advance (because life happens), start now! It’s never too late to teach “leave it” or help your dog feel comfortable being alone.

And remember—you don’t have to do this alone! Join our program and book a LIVE phone or video call anytime as part of your membership. Our trainers are happy to help with personalized guidance for your unique situation.

Congratulations on Your New Baby!