Preparing Our Dogs for Baby – Part 1: What Worked, What Surprised Us, and How We Set Everyone Up for Success
Real-life dog training tips, positive reinforcement advice, and stories from our pack
Disclaimer: The training approaches shared in this post reflect what worked for my dogs based on their individual needs and experience. Every dog is different, and this content is for educational purposes only—not a substitute for working directly with a qualified professional trainer.
Bringing a baby into a home full of dogs is exciting, joyful… and honestly, a little overwhelming. Our dogs are a huge part of our family, and we wanted to make sure the transition felt safe and calm for them and for us. Because our home had never regularly hosted kids, we knew we needed a plan—one that respected our dogs’ routines while creating boundaries for our soon-to-arrive little one.
One of the most helpful things we did was surprisingly simple:
We removed the dogs’ access to the future nursery early—long before the baby arrived.
Why We Blocked Access to the Nursery Early (Before Baby Arrived)
For us, this step served several purposes:
1. Dogs don’t need access to every room in the house
Our pups have run of most of the home, so removing one space wasn’t a hardship—it was a healthy boundary. The nursery became a “human-only” room, just like some families do with offices or guest rooms. This set a clear expectation from the start: this wasn’t their hangout zone.
2. We needed a calm, hair-free space for the baby
Let’s be honest: dog hair travels. And piles of baby blankets, soft toys, and tiny clothes are dog-hair magnets. Creating a clean nursery wasn’t about excluding our dogs—it was about providing a safe, sanitary place for a newborn who will be on the floor before we know it.
3. Practicing separation was important—especially for our more attached dog
One of our dogs is very people-dependent. If she can’t follow us into a room, she stresses, barks, or whines for us to return. That’s not her fault—it’s just who she is—but we knew adding a baby would naturally change our patterns. There would be times when we’d be in the nursery without the dogs, and we wanted her to experience that shift gradually instead of all at once.
By installing a baby gate and consistently using it, we gave her a chance to learn a new skill: being calm on the other side of a closed-off space.
How It Went
Honestly? The first few days were rough. Curious noses, confused looks, whining at the gate—our attached girl especially had feelings about it. But we stayed consistent, and something amazing happened:
Within a couple of weeks, the dogs adjusted beautifully.
The nursery became just another off-limits room, and walking in without them became normal. The gate wasn’t a trigger anymore—it was simply part of the house.
And now?
We have a peaceful, quiet, dog-hair-free nursery ready for the baby, and three dogs who aren’t stressed or confused about the boundary.
What I Learned While Preparing Our Dogs for Baby
Start early—before the baby arrives and emotions are high.
Stay consistent; dogs thrive on predictable boundaries.
Give them positive experiences outside the gate (treats, chews, calm praise).
Remember they’re adjusting too; patience pays off.
Creating a baby-only space isn’t about excluding your dogs—it’s about setting everyone up to succeed.
Disclaimer: The training methods, examples, and experiences shared in this blog are based on my professional work with my own dogs and dogs I’ve trained. Dogs are individuals, and training should always be tailored to each dog’s temperament, history, health, and environment.
This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace working one-on-one with a qualified professional trainer. Applying training techniques without proper instruction, timing, or supervision can lead to confusion, stress, or injury. For the best outcomes, especially with behavioral challenges or advanced training, consult a professional trainer who can assess your dog in person and guide you appropriately.