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Cute baby clothes are fun to unwrap. But when you have a dog and a newborn, the things that actually save your sanity are a sturdy gate, a white noise machine, and a leash you can wear while pushing a stroller.
I'm Dominika, a certified dog trainer and mom of twins. I made this list after bringing my own babies home to my dog, Lola, with help from the amazing Dog Meets Baby community, who shared what actually worked for them.
Quick summary: Dog owners should add six things to their baby registry: a baby gate or playpen to create dog-free zones, a dog bed and dog-proof diaper pail for the nursery, a white noise machine to protect naps, a hands-free leash and harness for stroller walks, puzzle toys and long-lasting chews to keep the dog busy, and a crash-tested harness, kennel, or carrier for car rides. A pre-baby training course helps you use all of it.
Adding these to your registry? Most picks on this list are on Amazon, so you can add them straight to your Amazon Baby Registry. Using Babylist? You can add items from any store, including our course gift certificates, to your Babylist registry.
Buying for an expecting dog parent? Start with the checklist below. Any of the "Top 3" picks in each category makes a thoughtful gift. Small favorites like a lick mat, Snuggle Puppy, or collagen sticks are easy wins, and there are even more ideas in our community gift list.
While you're packing your hospital bag, your dog has no idea a baby is coming. You may have noticed some changes in their behavior already (more on that in Can Dogs Sense Pregnancy?), but they don't know they're about to become a big brother or sister.
In my experience, prepared dogs adjust much faster, and prepared parents feel confident on the big day. Every course includes a village: you can ask our trainers your questions right inside the course, and get support from other parents in our private group.
Dog Meets Baby Courses:
Buying for someone else? Every course is available as a gift certificate.
Need one-on-one help? We also offer video analysis and private consultations.
Will your dog know the gift is "from the baby"? Realistically, no. But I love this tradition.
When we came home with the twins, I gave Lola a Boo stuffie (the Pomeranian known as "the world's cutest dog") that had been sitting on a shelf for two years. She'd always been so curious about it, and by then it was the most exciting thing in the world to her. She was SO happy. We had bully sticks too, but that "forbidden" shelf stuffie was her favorite present.
Community favorites:
Want more ideas? See more gift ideas from the Dog Meets Baby community: ShopMy | Amazon
Tip: Give it after your dog has met the baby, especially if it's a chew, a food toy, or a toy they'll want to play with.
Books make wonderful registry gifts. We've read countless dog books in our house, and reading together early on builds such special memories. Before you know it, your child will have their own favorite dog characters they request every single night!
Lola and the Bubble Mission: Inspired by our sweet Lola, this book turns learning about a dog's "bubble" into an exciting mission for toddlers. A picture book that helps your child learn to be gentle and respectful, and makes teaching dog safety as easy as reading a bedtime story.
More favorites:
New sounds, new smells, new gear: it's a lot for a dog to take in all at once. Practicing with baby equipment before your due date makes the transition so much smoother. I recommend starting your prep in your third trimester, or earlier if your dog needs extra time to adjust.
Inside our Dog Meets Baby Preparation Course, we walk you step-by-step through training techniques and how to effectively use this equipment in your daily routine.
My top 3:
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If you allow your dog in the nursery, it's good to teach them where you'd like them to be. A spot of their own in the nursery helps them settle during feeds and diaper changes.
Why it matters: dogs love stealing baby socks, onesies with spit-up, dirty diapers, and pacifiers. If a dog swallows one, it can cause a blockage that needs emergency surgery.
Inside our Dog Meets Baby Preparation Course, we teach the skills that help most here: go to bed, stay, leave it, and drop it.
My top 3:
Tip: Dogs love stealing pacifiers too. A pacifier clip keeps it on your baby's clothes and off the floor. Use a short clip, and take it off for sleep.
Shop the full list: Dog beds, diaper pails, hampers, and pacifier clips on ShopMy
Nothing is more stressful than spending 45 minutes getting your baby to sleep, only to have your dog bark at the doorbell, a passing neighbor, or a delivery truck. The good news? With a few simple management tools and proactive setup, you can protect baby's naps and lower everyone's stress levels.
Inside our Dog Meets Baby Preparation Course, we cover practical desensitization techniques and management setups to keep barking to a minimum before a baby arrives.
My top 3:
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Walking your dog while pushing a stroller doesn't have to feel like a balancing act! We recommend practicing before the baby arrives. If you don't have a stroller yet, pushing a shopping cart at a local home improvement store is a great way to practice.
A hands-free leash is an absolute game-changer, keeping your dog anchored to your waist so both hands stay securely on the stroller handles. We also know one of the biggest anxieties for expecting parents is: "What do I do if an off-leash or unfamiliar dog approaches us?" We cover how to handle these situations in detail in the blog post linked below.
My top 3:
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If dog hair never bothered you before, a baby on the floor might change that. It did for me.
My top 3:
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Gates are your best peace-of-mind tool. They protect your baby while your dog adjusts, and give your dog a calm space away from grabby little hands.
My top 3:
Tip: Amazon gives a completion discount on eligible items left on your registry, starting 60 days before your due date. It's a smart way to buy bigger items, like gates or a kennel, yourself.
Shop the full list:
A busy dog is a calm dog. Puzzle toys and chews keep your dog happily occupied while you nurse, during naps, while you recover, when it's too hot or cold outside, or while your dog watches "Baby TV" (watching your baby from a safe distance).
My top 3:
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In a crash, an unrestrained dog becomes a projectile. Securing your dog protects everyone in the car, especially a baby in the back seat.
My top 3:
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The first year with a baby is magical and exhausting. Outsourcing a few things can take a lot off your plate (and ease the dog mom guilt).
What's a good gift for my dog when the baby arrives? Something your dog values highly and truly loves, like a special toy, a (new) puzzle toy filled with yummy foods, or a high-value chew. Give it after your dog has met the baby, especially if it's a food item or a toy they'll want to play with.
What should dog owners put on a baby registry? Gear for four things: boundaries (a gate or playpen), the nursery (a dog bed and a dog-proof diaper pail), a busy dog (puzzle toys like Kongs, snuffle mats, and lick mats), and walks (a harness and a hands-free leash). Add a white noise machine and a crash-tested car restraint. Standard registry guides leave all of these out.
What should I get my dog before the baby arrives? A cozy bed for your dog's space, a baby doll to practice with, and a white noise machine to muffle baby sounds. Add a comfort toy like the Snuggle Puppy, plus long-lasting chews and puzzle toys to keep your dog busy. And our Pre-Baby Courses help you train and practice everything before the due date.
When should I set up baby gear for my dog? In your third trimester, or earlier if your dog needs extra time to adjust. Start with the gates: learning to relax when separated from you and the baby is one of the biggest struggles for dogs if it isn't practiced. Then introduce the baby gear, especially anything that moves or makes sounds, like a swing, so your dog doesn't see it for the first time with the baby in it. For gear with toys attached, like a bouncer, practice the Leave It cue, so your dog learns those toys belong to the baby. Our Preparation Course walks you through it step by step.
Is it okay to have a dog around a newborn? Yes, with preparation, clear boundaries, and supervision at all times. Introduce your dog to baby gear before the birth, teach them which areas are off-limits, and plan the first meeting carefully. Our Pre-Baby Courses and free Preparation Checklist walk you through it.
How do I stop my dog from barking and waking the baby? Remove the triggers: a white noise machine covers outside sounds, window film cuts down on what your dog sees, and a doorbell that alerts your phone avoids the chime. Then keep your dog focused by giving them a job, like a puzzle toy, a chew toy, or a game of nose work.
Do I need baby gates if I have a dog? For stairs, yes, and at the top of the stairs, a hardware-mounted gate is the only safe kind (see our top-of-stairs picks). For rooms, a gate or playpen gives your dog a clear boundary and you a break. Some large or jumping dogs clear standard gates, so a tall gate or big playpen can be a better fit.
Everything on this list is here because it solves a real problem families with dogs and babies run into. Start with what fits where you are today, whether that's your third trimester or week two home from the hospital.
Want a step-by-step plan? Download our free Preparation Checklist, or explore our Pre-Baby Courses.
Building your registry? Grab the free printable Baby Registry Checklist for Dog Parents.
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
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