For many of us, our pets are our first children! You learned how to best take care of them: feeding, walking, potty training and more. They have relied on you for both care and companionship their entire lives. The thought of introducing a new baby into this dynamic can be intimidating. Managing your furry friend, a newborn and your own well-being can be a lot! To help ease this transition, here are a few tips to consider:
Make gradual changes: Start adjusting your dog’s routine and environment leading up to when the baby arrives. This will give your furry friend time to adapt to the upcoming changes. This can be a great time to teach your dog some basic obedience skills to manage their behavior when your little one arrives. Things like sit, stay and drop it will come in handy when there’s an infant around.
Practice positive associations: Introducing your dog to new smells, sights and sounds will help as well! Have a baby doll as a prop and push it around in your stroller, then reward your pup’s positive behavior with treats and affection. It can be a good idea to take a blanket that your newborn has used and give it to your pup to sniff, so they get used to your new addition’s scent.
Establish boundaries and safety measures: Establish boundaries and safe spaces for your dog within your home. If your dog is crate trained, ensure their crate stays clean and comfortable. Have a designated place for their toys that they can access as needed for either entertainment or anxiety soothing.
Introduce them in a thoughtful way: You may want to introduce your pup to your newborn immediately, or you may choose to wait a while. Regardless, be sure to orchestrate the meeting carefully and calmly. Using a calm and happy voice when introducing them, having multiple people around to help facilitate and following your best judgements will help.
Continue exercise and attention: Maintain your dog’s exercise routine and continue to give them the attention they need. This will help reduce anxiety and stress for your pet. Thanks to innovative products like the Pivot Troop™, it’s now possible to safely take your dog and baby on a stroll without having to leave your furry friend at home.
Pack up your very good peanut, your very good pup, and head out on a very good adventure TOGETHER in America’s first travel system designed for a child and a pet: The Evenflo® Pivot Troop Child and Pet Modular Travel System! A unique addition to our popular Pivot® collection, the versatile Pivot Troop dog and baby stroller combo includes a LiteMax™ Infant Car Seat for easy transitions from your car to the stroller frame. As your infant grows, move them into the included 3-position recline toddler seat that holds a child up to 55 lb.
Here’s how easy it is to bring your pup along: Just drop down the Troop’s ramp to let your four-legged friend into and out of their very own space. The oversized, dividable basket holds a small dog up to 35 lb, with a separate storage area that holds an additional 10 lb.
Because your pup will be excited to join your outings, a zippered mesh top and D-ring for your own tether to the basket will help to keep eagerness contained.* This child stroller and car seat combo offers a few more perks for your furry little friend: a water bowl and treats container with lid that connect to stroller frame like a cup holder, as well as a convenient waste bag holder integrated into your removable parent cup holder for timely clean-ups (be sure to load the holder with your own bags before you leave home).
Though stressful at first, your pup and new baby will be best friends in no time. Maintain close supervision throughout their interactions and continue rewarding good behavior to form a positive association. Happy travels in your Pivot Troop!
*To avoid injury from your pet falling or sliding out of the basket, you may attach your own pet tether to the D-ring inside the basket. Tether should be 24 in. or less in length.