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 certain 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.

Dog Magazine has also 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 recommended that you dog as often as possible under your supervision familiarize your with children. 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 can be very unpleasant for a dog. If the dog is scared, calm it down and reward it with attention or a treat when it 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 be much smaller for them as a result. 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 baby sleeps, do it now, and the dog can rest with you. Life with a child can be hectic and unpredictable. If you’ve always fed your dog at eight in the morning, now start feeding them 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 dog daycare once or twice a week, where they will enjoy canine company.

Do not give your 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 them 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 integration. Sometimes, unfortunately, there are. Therefore, be aware that the responsibility is yours; you are the one who can start accustoming the dog to a new life in time. However, 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 them 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 watches over them?