Preventing Sparky from a Jealous Bone

Originally published in LEO on February 2, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

Bringing home a new baby is one of life's greatest milestones—but it can also be a major adjustment for the family dog or cat. In this 2000 column, Jeff Seidenfaden shares practical advice for preparing pets before a newborn arrives, helping reduce stress, prevent jealousy, and build positive lifelong relationships between children and their pets.

While animal behavior science has evolved over the past two decades, many of these preparation techniques remain valuable today. The key message is just as relevant now as it was then: successful introductions begin long before you bring your baby home from the hospital.

Original 2000 Column

Having a baby should be one of the greatest experiences of your life. The excitement of bringing a new life into this world should be a positive experience for your entire family—including your pet. This week, I'll look into the best ways of introducing a new family member to a dog.

Young children and dogs don't always mix, so you should plan ahead and consider all the possibilities. If you are contemplating getting a new dog and are starting a family, you may want to wait until your children are over the age of 3 or 4 before diving into the dog responsibilities. However, if you already own a dog and are pregnant, you will want to start working on training techniques to ensure a happy transition before you come home from the hospital with your newborn baby.

Remember, just because your life changes doesn't mean your dog will need any less care or attention.

Tip #1: Don't keep your dog from the baby's room if it has been allowed in before. This is a negative response. You do not want to cause any undue jealousy between your dog and your new baby. You can start limiting it from being allowed in the room, but don't cut off the rights all together. Of course, don't allow a dog to jump on or sleep in the baby's crib. This can be dangerous for both the baby and the dog.

The bottom line is to try to change the behavior gradually. Dogs can sense change and will sometimes exhibit signs of jealousy by destroying things or urinating in the house. This can be prevented by proper training before the newborn arrives (i.e., start limiting the dog's time in the baby's room now).

Tip #2: Carry a doll around to simulate the new baby. The dog will eventually adapt to less attention and will be over its jealousy stage by the time the "real" baby arrives. Plus, you'll be able to see if the dog shows any signs of aggression or bad behavior beforehand.

Tip #3: When the time comes for you to go to the hospital, make sure you have someone lined up to care for your dog. By leaving your dog unattended and then coming home with a new baby, you may unknowingly create a jealous situation. Have the person you choose come over and spend some time with your dog in the weeks before your baby is due. This way, it will be comfortable with that person.

Tip #4: Take the blanket wrapped around the baby and let your dog smell it as soon as you come home. This way, he will get accustomed to the new baby through scent. Place the blanket back in the crib after your dog seems content.

As in many situations, you will be better prepared the sooner you start. If you have no control over your dog, you may encounter an unpleasant situation when you are trying to handle a baby and a dog. It should know, at the very least, the "sit," "stay," "down," and "lay" commands. This way, you can show control and manage any new situations that may arise.

If you own a cat, you will also want to follow the above recommendations. Don't be afraid of the old wives' tale that says cats can suck the air out of a baby. Of course, you should never allow your cat to sleep in the crib with the baby.

And for all you moms-to-be out there, pass the litter scoop to your husband. A pregnant woman may develop a serious infection called toxoplasmosis from organisms found in cat feces. You do not need to give up your cats—just the litter-scooping responsibility.

Many pets end up in shelters after owners try unsuccessfully to introduce a new baby. Others end up outside, confined in a yard, and confused about what they did wrong.

To avoid any problems, think ahead, talk to a professional trainer, and use common sense.

Simply follow these tips and your new baby and pet may grow to be the best of friends.

The Pet Guy Perspective Today

The core message of this article remains exactly right: preparation is the key to a successful relationship between babies and pets. Modern trainers and veterinary behaviorists continue to recommend gradually introducing changes in routine before the baby arrives, allowing pets to become familiar with new sounds, furniture, scents, and schedules.

A few recommendations have evolved over the years:

• Positive reinforcement training has largely replaced older correction-based techniques. Rewarding calm behavior around babies helps build positive associations.

• The advice to let dogs smell the baby's blanket before a face-to-face introduction is still widely recommended by many trainers.

• Babies and pets should never be left unsupervised together, regardless of how gentle the family dog or cat has always been.

• Regarding toxoplasmosis, current medical guidance notes that pregnant women can safely continue living with cats by avoiding litter box duties when possible or wearing gloves and practicing good hand hygiene if no one else can clean the box.

  
  

Perhaps the most important reminder today is that dogs rarely become "jealous" in the human sense. Instead, they respond to sudden changes in routine, attention, and expectations. By maintaining consistent training, providing exercise and enrichment, and making your pet feel included in the family's new routine, you greatly increase the chances of creating a safe and happy lifelong relationship between your child and your pet.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

• Working Through Litterbox Problems

• Tackling "Itchy Dog Syndrome"

• Summer Can Be Easy for Your Pets: Part I

• Summer Can Be Easy for Your Pets: Part II

About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve Jeff Seidenfaden's original newspaper columns, television features, and educational articles spanning more than three decades. Each article is carefully republished to preserve its historical authenticity while making it accessible to today's pet owners.

About the Author

Jeff Seidenfaden is The Pet Guy—an award-winning pet expert, television host, newspaper columnist, entrepreneur, and animal advocate who has spent more than three decades helping families build better relationships with their pets. Through his newspaper columns, television appearances, and educational outreach, Jeff has shared practical, compassionate advice with hundreds of thousands of pet owners across the country.