Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby: A Practical Guide from PAWS
Plan familiar care before the baby arrives. Practical advice for expecting Calgary families from Eric Yeung, owner of PAWS Dog Daycare.
By Eric Yeung, owner of PAWS Dog Daycare · Published
When you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot to organize. Your dog’s care can easily slip down the list until the due date is days away.
We hear from families in that situation at PAWS. They need daycare or overnight care while they’re at the hospital, but their dog hasn’t met the sitter or spent time with us yet.
My advice is to contact us as early as possible. Give your dog time to get comfortable with the people, places, and routines that will support your family when the baby arrives.
Start making small changes before the birth
Think about what will change for your dog at home, on walks, and in the car. Introduce those changes gradually while you still have time to help them adjust.
- Set up the baby’s playpen and other equipment early so they become familiar parts of the house.
- If the car seat changes where your dog rides, practise the new arrangement using a suitable restraint or secured crate.
- Introduce baby crying sounds quietly, keeping the experience comfortable for your dog.
- Practise walking beside an empty stroller before you need to manage the stroller and your dog together.
The aim is to make those changes familiar before your attention is pulled in several directions.
Let your dog get to know their care team
A dog meeting a new sitter, sleeping somewhere unfamiliar, and adjusting to a new routine has a lot to take in. When everything happens at once, we can see anxiety, restlessness, and confusion.
Starting early gives us time to get to know your dog and help them feel comfortable at daycare. If you’ll need overnight care, meeting the sitter and arranging a trial night beforehand can make that stay more familiar. Get to know our PAWS Pro pet sitters.
For dogs suited to group daycare, our regular Intro Day process is a good starting point. Let us know you’re expecting so we can talk about what support you may need along the way. Our daycare preparation guide and first-visit information explain more.
Plan for when labor starts
Babies don’t always follow the calendar. PAWS has a network of pet sitters who can arrange to be on call when a family goes into labor.
This works best when we’ve planned together beforehand: your dog knows the sitter, has completed a trial night, and pickup and drop-off arrangements are in place. Contact us to discuss availability and build a care plan around your family’s needs.
Discuss overnight care, arrival arrangements, and who to contact with PAWS in advance. On-call care and transport need to be arranged and confirmed; an Intro Day request does not reserve a pet sitter. Read about pet sitting options and pet sitting rates and policies.
Keep support in place after you come home
Friends and family often step up to help, and that support is wonderful. But the early days with a baby can be demanding, especially when recovery takes longer than expected, including after a C-section.
Having daycare already established can give a suitable dog familiar social time and exercise while the family settles in. Pet sitting can provide additional care when needed. Daycare runs Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; arrange overnight or out-of-hours needs separately with your sitter. See our daycare rates and policies.
Grooming can also be part of the plan, helping manage loose hair and keep your dog’s coat cared for before household routines get busier.
You don’t need to know exactly how those first weeks will look. Getting arrangements started gives you familiar options to draw on.
Due soon? Get in touch
If your baby is due in days, call us so we can discuss what’s possible. If your dog is anxious or uncomfortable around other dogs, call us first so we can talk through suitable care options. Dogs with behavioral concerns start with an initial assessment call.
For families planning ahead, start with the regular Intro Day process and tell us you’re expecting. The free Intro Day is for eligible new Calgary-area dogs comfortable in group play, subject to staff confirmation and suitability assessment. No package purchase is required.
We’ll help you work out an individual care plan using our existing daycare, grooming, and pet sitting services. This guide is not a separate package or fixed-price bundle.
PAWS Dog Daycare · 1313 16 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0Z7. You can also contact our team to discuss your plans.
New baby and dog care: your questions answered
When should I arrange dog care before my baby is due?
Who can look after my dog when I go into labor in Calgary?
Should I choose dog daycare or overnight pet sitting?
How can I help my dog prepare for a new baby at home?
What if my baby is due soon or my dog has behavioral concerns?
Does PAWS offer a special new-baby dog care package?
Based on Eric Yeung’s experience supporting PAWS families. Last updated .