A few readers asked on Instagram how we introduced Burger to Clara and how we managed the transition from having just a dog to having both a dog and a newborn. We did some research and spoke with our vet to make the change as smooth as possible for everyone, so here’s what we tried and how it worked out.
1. Shortly after Clara was born, John left the hospital for about half an hour to bring Burger a blanket that smelled like her. We stayed four days in the hospital due to a complicated birth, so John dropped the blanket into Burger’s crate while our parents were caring for him. Burger is one of those dogs who actually enjoys his crate, so he spent time with people and time cozying up with the new blanket. Introducing Clara’s scent early helped him become familiar with her presence before she came home.
2. When we returned home with Clara, Burger was already there waiting. As we carried Clara in her baby seat through the door, we also brought a treat and a toy for Burger. We’d read that pairing a new arrival with positive rewards can help pets form a good association. Giving him a treat, a toy, and plenty of attention as we walked in helped establish that Clara’s arrival meant something good, not something to worry about.
3. We made an effort to give Burger affection whenever possible while juggling newborn care. Although our hands were full, Clara spent a lot of time nursing or sleeping, which gave us chances to sit on the sofa with Burger curled up beside us. We offered as many pets and snuggles as we could so he didn’t feel ignored or replaced. While we expected some dogs might act out during this big family change, we didn’t experience accidents or problematic behavior — which we’re very grateful for.
Have you introduced a baby to a pet before? What tips would you share with someone nervous about it? For us, Clara quickly climbed the ranks to become one of Burger’s favorites — sticky fingers and crumbs certainly help — and they’ve become a sweet pair.