For many of us, myself included, our dogs are our first children – we welcome an adorable puppy into our families, put hours of training into them and spoil them rotten. When it then comes to having a (human) family, it’s important our dogs don’t feel pushed out – a dog is for life, after all.
As a dog mom to a rather boisterous six-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) called Maple, I knew I would be kept plenty busy when it came to welcoming our new (human) arrival, but there were some definite perks – and downsides – of bringing up a baby with a dog that I hadn’t considered.
With my son having recently turned a year old – and quickly becoming a toddler – here are all the things I wish I knew before having a baby and a dog.
What I wish I knew before having a baby and a dog
1. Your child's health will benefit from growing up with a dog
Studies have shown that babies who grow up with dogs catch fewer colds and other general illnesses than babies in pet-free homes. Other studies have found links between pets, babies and a lower chance of developing allergies and asthma. That’s a win-win for babies and parents – particularly when it comes to starting nursery or daycare!
2. Daily walks will help you recover
There’s one thing our precious pooches can’t get enough of, and that’s walks. Once you’ve got the all clear for gentle exercise from your doctor or midwife, getting out for daily walks will really help you recover from birth, mentally and physically.
An off-road buggy with three wheels will be your best friend here, or a well-fitting baby carrier. When your baby is old enough (generally around nine months), you can transition to a backpack carrier, which really opens up your options for hiking with your dog.
I found the fresh air really improved my son’s naps and overnight sleep, too, which was another huge bonus.
3. Good wet-weather gear will be your best friend
You’ll soon find those daily walks are a necessity to keep you all happy – fresh air solves everything, after all. And don’t let the rain stop you in your tracks; good-quality wet-weather gear is a must to keep you and your baby warm and dry. After all, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
I found waterproof longline coat and some comfy waterproof boots essential for getting out in bad weather, as well as a puddlesuit for my son. And one a dog drying coat (like this one on Amazon) was perfect for drying off Maple once we got home.
4. Organisation is key
Once baby is here, leaving the house becomes a total mission. This is where being organised will become your favourite personality trait.
For me, I found making a ‘dog walk station’ in the utility room a handy trick, so I wouldn’t leave any essentials behind (poo bags, whistle, lead, collar, etc). I kept spares of everything in the buggy, too, for those real 'baby brain' moments.
5. Your dog will become your favourite clean-up tool
Once you start to wean your baby, the mess really kicks up a gear. But fear not! Dogs are the ultimate clean-up crew when it comes to tidying up food off the floor.
Of course, only allow this for human food that isn’t harmful to dogs, and make sure to keep an eye on their waistline. Our GSP definitely decided her baby brother was much more fun once he started eating solids.
6. You’re already well adjusted to putting others’ needs before your own
Having a baby is a huge life adjustment – but so is having a dog – and psychologists agree that having pets is likely to make you a better parent.
Luckily for you, you’ve already experienced being a ‘paw-rent’, so you’ll find the adjustment to parent much easier to deal with. You’re already used to needing to be home in time for your dog, so being home for dinner or bedtime isn’t too much change on top.
7. Your dog may become more protective
Some breeds are naturally more protective than others, and you might well find that when baby is here, this trait shows more than usual, especially if you own one of the best guard dogs. You might find your dog barks more at people knocking on the door or is wary of strangers when out and about.
Be mindful of this and try to avoid putting your dog in situations where they might feel threatened – and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if necessary.
8. One-on-one time with your dog is really important
It’s easy for your dog to become jealous of the new arrival, so make the effort to spend one on one time with them when you can. Take them for a walk on their own while someone else watches the baby, or do a fun training session while the baby naps. Your dog will really appreciate this extra effort, keeping the whole family happy.
9. It can take time for balance to be restored
Bringing home a newborn is a massive change to your dog’s life – Maple definitely had her nose put out of joint for the first few weeks! But don’t be disheartened – spend that quality time with your dog, show them plenty of love and they will adjust.
10. You’ll end up with even more odd socks
Does anyone else’s dog have a penchant for socks? I’m constantly left with odd socks in the laundry basket, finding its chewed-up pair days later in the dog bed.
Having a baby unfortunately doubles this problem – and baby socks seem to be even more tempting than grown-up ones!
11. Poop bags and nappy sacks are one and the same
Run out of nappy sacks? No problem! If you already have a dog, chances are you’ll have pockets full of poop bags to save the day, and vice versa.
12. Your child will grow up with a best friend for life
One of the sweetest things to watch is the love your baby has for your dog growing. My son learnt to throw balls from an early age as he quickly worked out Maple would chase them and bring them back to him, which resulted in plenty of giggles.
Before you know it they’ll be holding the lead on walks and your dog’s name may well be their first word…
