Preparing Your Dog For A New Baby

Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby

Your dog jumping up never really bothered you. Pulling on the lead was manageable. Following you from room to room was just what they did. Then you find out there’s a baby on the way, and suddenly you start looking at those little habits very differently.

That’s where Rob comes in.

With over 20 years of experience, Rob works with you and your dog well before the baby arrives, giving you time to work on the things that are going to matter once life changes. Pulling on the lead when there’s a pram involved, jumping up when you’re holding a baby, rushing through doors, getting over-excited when visitors arrive, not settling, or simply having no boundaries around the house.

This isn’t about suddenly changing everything your dog knows because you’re having a baby. It’s about starting early, putting clear boundaries in place and giving your dog plenty of time to understand what’s expected of them before the baby comes home.

The aim is preparation, not a last-minute fix.

What are the biggest worries expecting parents have about their dog?

Every dog and every home is different, so Rob will look at what actually needs work in your household.

That might mean walking nicely beside a pram, no jumping up, waiting at doors, settling on their bed, giving you space when asked, staying calm when visitors arrive, respecting boundaries around certain rooms and generally learning better impulse control.

It’s not about suddenly putting a hundred new rules on your dog. It’s about working out what will make life easier when the baby arrives and starting now.

What essential behaviours and boundaries do you teach before the baby arrives?
Rob concentrates on practical real-world skills that make daily life easy and stress-free. Key areas include walking calmly beside a pram without pulling, eliminating jumping up, waiting politely at doors and thresholds, settling quietly on a mat or bed, and respecting out-of-bounds areas such as the nursery or kitchen. He also reinforces impulse control, independent settling and coping calmly with routine shifts so these expectations are reliable long before birth.

When should expecting parents ideally book their first session?

As early as you can.

Don’t wait until you’re nine months pregnant and suddenly realise you’ve got a dog pulling you down the street and a pram arriving next week.

Rob needs time to work with you and your dog, and more importantly, your dog needs time to learn.

Starting earlier means you can introduce changes gradually, practise between sessions and have those new behaviours and boundaries firmly in place before the baby comes home.

The aim is preparation, not a last-minute fix.

How does the training process work across the pregnancy?

Rob starts by meeting you and your dog and looking at what is actually going to matter in your home once the baby arrives. Every dog is different, so the training is built around the behaviours that need work, not a generic checklist.

From there, Rob works with you over time on things like lead walking, jumping up, settling, impulse control, household boundaries and any changes to routine. You then have time between sessions to practise, build consistency and make those new expectations feel normal for your dog.

As the pregnancy progresses, the aim is to have the important behaviours already in place well before the birth, rather than trying to change everything at the last minute.

Get your dog ready before your baby arrives

Ensure a calm, safe and balanced home for your growing family. Book an in-home session with Rob today to establish healthy boundaries, relaxed pram walks and dependable manners across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.