Great British Dog Walks

Bringing a baby into the world is a life-changing experience—not just for humans but for our four-legged family members too.

So when we found out we were expecting, I knew we needed to prepare our dog for the big changes ahead.

Murph had been (and still is!) the centre of my world for years, so I wanted to make sure the transition was as smooth as possible for him.

In this blog post I’ve shared some of the things we did to help with the adjustment in the hope it helps others going through the same thing.

Gradual Changes to Routine

Dogs thrive on routine, so we made small adjustments before the baby arrived. We gradually changed feeding and walk times to be more flexible, ensuring he wouldn’t associate these changes with the baby’s arrival. We also practised walking him while pushing an empty pram so he could get used to the new setup.

Introducing New Sounds and Smells

We played recordings of baby crying to help desensitise him to the unfamiliar sounds- he wasn’t fussed! When we started setting up the nursery, we also let him explore the space under supervision and get used to the new room and things in it.

Bringing in Baby Equipment Slowly

To avoid overwhelming Murph with sudden changes, we introduced baby furniture and equipment in dribs and drabs rather than all at once. The pram, cot, changing table, and other items arrived gradually, giving him time to adjust to each new addition. This made the transition feel much more natural for him.

Teaching Gentle Manners

Although Murph is already well-trained, we reinforced commands like “leave it” and “wait” to ensure he would respond reliably in different situations.

We also worked on calm greetings so he wouldn’t jump up excitedly when visitors arrived to meet the baby.

Positive Associations with Baby-Related Activities

To avoid any feelings of jealousy or anxiety, we made sure he had positive experiences around baby-related activities. For example, we rewarded him with treats and praise when he remained calm near the pram.

Introducing the Baby’s Scent Before the First Meeting

One of the most helpful things we did was bring home a baby grow from the hospital before introducing our dog to the baby. This allowed him to get used to the baby’s scent in a calm environment before meeting his new little sibling in person.

A Smooth First Introduction

When we brought the baby home, we made sure Murphy had already had a long walk to burn off energy. We greeted him calmly before introducing him to the baby from a safe distance. Over time, we allowed closer supervised interactions, always keeping things positive and relaxed.

Ensuring He Still Felt Loved

With the chaos of newborn life, it can be easy to let your dog’s needs slip down the priority list, but most importantly we made a conscious effort to include him in family moments, give him plenty of attention, and set aside special one-on-one time for walks and cuddles.

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The Result? A Wonderful Bond

How Murph got on with the baby was one of my first fears as soon as I found out I was pregnant, but he has adapted beautifully to life with a baby.

He’s quickly become a devoted companion, always keeping a watchful eye on his tiny human and even curling up beside the cot during nap times.

If you’re expecting and wondering how to prepare your dog, my biggest piece of advice is to start early. With patience, training, and lots of love, your dog can become the perfect big brother or sister to your little one.

Have you introduced a baby to your dog or are you expecting? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!