Bringing home a new baby is a beautiful and life changing moment. But if your dog has a history of reactivity or agression, the excitement can come with understandable concern. At Lupa K9, we specialize in behavior modification for dogs in San Diego and can help guide your family through this important transition with care and confidence.

Here’s how you can begin preparing your dog now to create a peaceful and safe home for your baby.

1. Start Training Early Before the Baby Arrives

DO NOT WAIT until your baby is born to begin training. Dogs with this kind of history need time, structure, and consistency to modify their behavior. Early preparation is essential.

Focus on skills like:

• Sit, stay, leave it, and go to place

• Desensitization to new sounds such as baby crying or babbling

• Crate training or creating a calm space in your home

• Structured leash walks that encourage calm focus

If your dog has shown signs of reactivity or aggression, professional support is highly recommended. Our in home dog training throughout San Diego can help address behavior safely and effectively.

2. Establish Boundaries and Consistent Routines

Dogs thrive on structure and predictability. When a baby enters your life, routines shift. Help your dog adapt in advance.

Helpful steps include:

• Setting up baby gear and allowing your dog to explore it with supervision

• Creating off limits areas such as the nursery

• Practicing calm entrances and exits to reduce overexcitement and reactivity

The more predictable your home environment is, the more secure your dog will feel.

3. Teach Calm Baby Friendly Habits

By the time your baby arrives, you may have limited time for active training. Now is the time to help your dog develop safe and appropriate behaviors.

Train behaviors such as:

• Wearing a muzzle comfortably if needed for extra safety

• Polite greetings without jumping or mouthiness

• Settling calmly near baby items like swings, bouncers, or play mats

• It is OK to create space between your baby and the dog for as long as you and your dog need. There is no reason to rush a greeting. Let them coexist.

At Lupa K9, we help families simulate baby related scenarios so your dog learns to stay relaxed around new stimuli.

4. Work with a Professional Dog Trainer in San Diego

If your dog has any bite history, professional guidance is critical. This is not the time for trial and error.

An experienced trainer can:

• Identify your dog’s specific triggers

• Create a plan for desensitization and counterconditioning

• Introduce management tools and safety protocols

• Help you assess progress and readiness with honesty

Safety must come first for both your baby and your dog.

5. Be Proactive Not Reactive

Even if your dog seems calm, babies bring unpredictable movement, new sounds, and changes in attention that can be challenging for dogs. Do not wait for a problem to arise. Prepare your dog now to reduce risk and support long term success.

Important Safety Note

Regardless of your dog’s progress in training, never leave your dog and baby unsupervised. Your dog may love your child, but babies move and sound differently from anything they have encountered. Supervision and structure will ALWAYS be necessary.

Need Support Preparing Your Dog for a Baby?

At Lupa K9 Dog Training in San Diego, we specialize in helping dogs with behavioral challenges build safer habits so families can grow together with confidence.

Whether your dog has a bite history or is simply unsure around children, we offer clear, compassionate training to help prepare them for life with your newest family member.

Book a consultation today and give your family a strong and safe foundation for the future.