Some time ago, I posted this photo on my Facebook profile:

And I always tell all my friends who have furry companions that even a dog needs some preparation for the arrival of a new family member. This is also part of the postpartum plan. I advise mothers to bring a diaper to the maternity ward, which the father will take home to the dog before the baby arrives, and it will be exclusively theirs.

Even Kužek Magazine has prepared some practical tips:

Make a plan

• take your time and prepare your dog for the change.

In the months leading up to the baby’s arrival, you need to focus on obedience training, so if you haven’t been to dog school yet, now is the time to do it. Additionally, it is advisable to familiarize your dog with children as often as possible under your supervision. If you have friends who already have children, ask them for a favor and spend as much time with them and your dog as possible.

Four months before the baby’s arrival

• accustom your dog to the new experience.

Buy toys for the baby; many of them make sounds, and these noises can be very unpleasant for a dog. If he is afraid of them, calm him down and reward him with attention or a treat when he is calm. The same applies to swings, car seats, large plush toys, etc. Give your dog the opportunity to get used to them beforehand; the change will consequently be much smaller for him. Connect all new things with rewards, so that initially unpleasant stimuli will become pleasant for the dog.

Two months before the baby’s arrival

• gradually start changing your daily routine.

Roughly anticipate how your day will unfold in the future. If you plan to take an afternoon nap when the child sleeps, do it now, and the dog can rest with you. Life with a child can be hectic and unpredictable. If you have always fed your dog at eight in the morning, now start feeding him at other times, e.g., between six and ten. If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, ask a friend if they can help you with walks with their friends for the first few weeks, or you can start taking your dog to a doggy daycare once or twice a week, where he will enjoy canine company.

Do not give the dog extra attention

• Resist the temptation to give your dog more attention than usual a few weeks before the baby arrives.

This will do more harm than good, as your four-legged friend’s disappointment will be even greater when the baby arrives. Instead, dedicate 15 minutes to playing with your dog at certain times of the day, but otherwise gradually give him a little less attention than usual. It may sound cruel, but such gradual acclimatization will undoubtedly be less stressful for your dog than a change that happens overnight.

There is no reason why a dog and a child shouldn’t get along, and usually there are no problems with their integration. Sometimes, unfortunately, there are. Therefore, be aware that the responsibility is yours; you are the one who can start accustoming the dog to the new life in time, but never punish the dog if it does not behave according to your expectations. If your dog is problematic, it is even more important to prepare him for the baby’s arrival in time; also, talk to a behaviorist, and remember, all problems are solvable.

Does your child also have their best (furry) friend? Someone who diligently and faithfully guards them?