I woman holds a dog's leash. The dog on the leash is a grey and white beagle. A child with long brown hair, purple boots. They are all investigating a larger tree in a park.

Oo Baby, Baby (and a dog): Thoughts about preparing your dog for a baby

Dog Training| Living with Dogs| People Training| Kids & Dogs

March 24, 2026•3 min read

"Our dog has never liked kids. They like us, though, so they'll like our kid...right?"

Paraphrase of so many of my clients

A woman with brown hair & gray streaks holds the leash of a grey and white beagle, they are investigating the base of a big tree with a 4 year old child with long brown hair.

Kids & dogs both benefit from practicing their skills. Dog training sessions can include the whole family so we can all practice together.

You may have heard that I work with a lot of families with children. Sometimes the dog is coming into a family that already has children but a lot of the time it's a family who has a dog and is either about to have a baby or has just welcomed one (or more!).

I know there are tons of families out in the world who I never see who just have a kid and their dog adjusts to new routines and it's no big deal. A good chunk of the folks I do see, though, are worried. They know or are afraid that it might be hard for their dog and for them to adjust to a whole new kid-full world.

You should know that it's normal to feel unsure and to have concerns. Whether you live with a scaredy-dog, a confident canine, or an overstimulated adventurer things are going to be different. They're going to be different for you and you shape your dog's world so they'll be different for them, too.

I want everyone to embrace the fact that it's never too early to call a qualified trainer and get some advice.

Even if it seems like it will be no big deal, if you aren't clear about how you're going to keep everyone safe, sane, and happy you deserve to go into this whole new season with all the support you can get.

I understand that some families are worried about what will happen and hesitant to ask for help because they don't want to hear a scary answer. Most of the time you won't get a scary answer. But if you do, having an expert on your side can make it less scary and help you make informed decisions about what to do next.

Here are some possible entry points for getting help:

Look for evidence-based trainers online who are offering free content. It can be hard to understand what's safe so look for people who treat dogs kindly and clearly. You want people who set boundaries with gentleness, not ones who are trying to scare a dog into good behavior. Positive isn't permissive! It is thoughtful and and careful.
Try some pay as you go content with more in-depth answers (stay tuned here, something is coming soon!).
When you're thinking about adding a child to your family, contact a trainer (like me!) and book a session to assess your personal situation and get some advice on how to set you, your dog, and your for-now-hypothetical baby up for success.
When you're expecting a child in your home soon and working to get things ready, call a trainer as soon as possible so they have time to help you set up your space and practice new routines so your pup is prepared when things change.
If baby is already here, call for help sooner rather than later. It's easier to help before things get muddled or scary. The right trainer will help to work your training, routine, or set up changes into the time you have, even though you have less of it now that baby is here.

Lastly, I'm here to help, not to shame. Please don't ever put off calling a trainer because you think they'll blame, shame, or frighten you and if they do, they aren't the right trainer, look for someone else. I want your whole family to succeed and I will treat you as clearly and kindly as I treat your pup.

Got questions about changes in your dog's life? I'd love to help!