Maybe this sounds familiar: You want to get outside for some fresh air, but the sheer logistics of wrangling a newborn, a toddler, and a large dog (or multiple!) feel like a mountain you aren’t ready to climb. It’s easy to feel trapped inside when the exit process feels like total chaos.
The good news? It doesn't have to be a high-stress event. By using a predictable system and the right gear, you can move from the hallway to the sidewalk with your sanity intact.
The first time I attempted to take my 18-month-old, newborn, and dog out was a bit of a chaotic mess……..there was sweating, complete ignorance for my repeated instructions (no surprise!), some raised voices (mostly mine, oops, hello mom overwhelm), chasing for shoes, stroller strap struggles, and a few tears from us all.
The thought of going through this every day was demoralizing, until I found my rhythm and a routine involving some play that worked for us, thanks to the ever-experienced parenting/teaching advice from Busy Toddler and Kelsey Pomeroy. I hope these tips give you some inspiration for your family, too!
The Magic Elevator: How to Stop Toddler Chaos Before You’ve Even Left the House
The secret isn’t just in the walk itself, it’s in the "gear-up." Most of the chaos happens in the five minutes before you step outside.
To keep my toddler in one central area, we use the "Magic Elevator” analogy - a game I used to play teaching students dance in NYC public schools. We play using a specific rug or the hallway by the door where my toddler waits with their socks, shoes, and jacket on. While they are on their “elevator platform,” the dog is separated by a “go to bed” cue or a baby gate. Usually, we’ll make up a story about where the magic elevator is taking them while I’m getting everyone ready. “It’s taking you up, up, UP to floor 207. Ohhhhhh, doors are opening. And look - we’re in outer space! Let’s float through space like astronauts!”
Bottom line: Using play makes the transition smoother.
Why is the dog separated at this point?
Because small entryway spaces and unpredictable toddler energy can be overwhelming for even the sweetest dogs. Between the anticipation of the walk and the frantic energy of trying to get a toddler dressed, it can be a lot. Separation prevents your dog from accidentally bumping into the child and protects their ears, fur, and tail from grabby (and often less-than-gentle) toddler hands.
How Do You Walk a Dog With a Toddler and a Newborn? A 5-Step Exit Strategy
Stage the Gear: I set all bags and leashes by the door before anyone gets dressed. I refill any dog treats and toddler snacks I’m bringing along. If you’re babywearing, now is a great time to tie your fabric wrap or secure your carrier around your waist.
Dog Management: I put a collar and harness on Izzy, my dog, and move her to her "waiting zone" or behind a gate.
Safety tip: The dog’s collar tags, harness, and leash are very interesting to many mobile babies and toddlers. Wherever your dog is waiting, we want to make sure children won’t have access to pull or yank the dog’s gear.
Toddler Prep: The toddler gets their shoes and jacket on, then I park them on their "Magic Carpet."
Secure the Baby: I place the baby in the wrap, carrier, or stroller.
The Final Merge: I put the toddler in the stroller, grab Izzy's leash, and head out.
You've got this and you should celebrate! Dominika used to high-five herself in the mirror on the way out (a well-deserved acknowledgement while getting out the door with twins and a large dog). It might take a few tries to find your rhythm, but that first breath of fresh air is worth the effort.
How do I keep my toddler safe while walking the dog?
Safety on the walk is about preparation and presence. Some days we’re successful, and all have a great time. Others, there are constant reminders, non-stop whining, and a general feeling of overwhelm that makes me wonder if the walk was actually worth it (although normally the answer is still, yes!). We talk a lot about safety and how our family practices it in public, at home, and around the dog, so most of these concepts are not new for my kids.
Attach a Stroller Strap: If your toddler is walking alongside the stroller, have them hold a dedicated strap on the side of the stroller opposite the dog. It keeps them close to you without you needing a third hand to hold theirs. For many kids, this may also actually work better than holding your hand since it gives them more autonomy and a “spot” on the stroller just for them.
No Scrolling: It’s tempting to catch up on texts and socials, but a distraction-free walk is essential. Keeping your eyes up allows you to spot potential triggers, like a neighbor's dog or wildlife, before your dog does.
Snack Strategy: Bring high-value snacks for both the dog and the toddler. A well-timed treat can prevent a toddler meltdown or help your dog focus during a tricky passing situation. For the toddler or an older baby, the Serenity Kids pouches are always an easy, shelf-stable option to toss in the bag. I also love nut butter and crackers, roasted sweet potato cubes, cut fruit or veggies, or cheese sticks. For the dog, Charlee Bear treats for standard rewards or freeze-dried beef liver pieces and these peanut butter pouches for WOW!, jackpot moments. In a pinch, Izzy has definitely gotten some of the kids’ pouches too, as long as the ingredients were dog safe.
NO toddlers walking dogs: Toddlers walking dogs independently is not safe. For a visual of an alternative, check out this reel. My toddler walks our dog with the same setup as in the video using a standard 6ft leash (for them) attached to a link on the Trailblazing Tails Not-a-Knot leash (for me). If you’re located in Europe, check out this Little Captain Magnetic Leash that cleverly uses magnets to connect and disconnect your child’s leash handle, while keeping yours securely fastened with metal hardware clips.
Discuss the “dog in a bubble” concept: Your walking or riding child should be aware to give your dog (AND their leash) plenty of space. Reminding them that the dog + leash are in a bubble that we can’t pop is a great visual. For a story-based introduction of this concept (my kids always learned better this way!), check out Dominika’s book “Lola and the Bubble Mission.” When we’re out, I simply yell “bubble space!” to remind my kids when they’re getting too close to the dog or each other. Since they’ve heard this phrase over time in many different contexts, it’s an easy and quick way to get them to check in with their surroundings and adjust accordingly.
Playground Stop: Sometimes on a walk, we’ll structure it so the kids can go to an unfenced playground in a park at the halfway point before heading home. When they were younger, I would only do this with another caregiver present, so one of us would go with the kids and the other would sit outside the playground boundaries with the dog (and work on some socialization exercises since it was a natural fit for the situation). Now that they’re older (4yrs and 2.5yrs), they are mostly self-sufficient on the equipment. Before we go, there’s a clear discussion around my lack of participation in playground activities since we’re bringing the dog (and taking a walk that meets EVERYONE’S needs). The kids know I can’t help them climb some of the tougher ladders or push them on the swing, but I’m always in view and only a quick yell away.
Other supplies to help you stay safe on walks with your children and dog can be found here.
What is the best way to carry a baby while walking a dog?
This definitely comes down to personal preference and what works best for your set-up. Keep in mind, your preference may change as your children grow or depending on the environment you’re walking in.
Sanity-Saving Gear Checklist with Our Favorites!
Babywearing for the win: For newborns, a soft wrap or carrier is ideal. I like to put my fabric wrap on before getting the dog ready, so I’m not fumbling with fabric later. For those first few months, I always had my fabric wrap pre-tied on my torso just in case I needed it while I was out with my baby and toddler. Saves so much time in the moment if it’s already on!
Solly Baby Wrap Carrier - Emme’s favorite! Amazing fabric, cute designs, and cozy for both baby and I. Code DOGMEETSBABY gets you 15% off your order.
Boba Baby Wraps - Cotton blend fabric that I preferred to use when it got a bit colder in the Bay Area. Seemed slightly thicker than other fabric wrap options, but still offered a lot of stretch, which is helpful when still learning how to tie the wrap properly.
Ergobaby Omni Classic - great hip support, versatile carry options, and grows with your baby and toddler.
If you’re new to babywearing, this blog post from Jordyn of Eats Play Say shows a wide variety of carrier options and would be a great place to start for picking out your first carrier or wrap. Check out our “Walking your dog and baby” blog post where we share 6 other carriers and wraps recommended by moms from the Dog Meets Baby community.
The Backpack Hiking Carrier: For longer or steeper miles with a toddler or older infant, a structured hiking carrier (like the one I have from Deuter or this Osprey version) is a game-changer. It offers the support you need to carry a child plus room for extra snacks, diapers and wipes, a dog toy, poop bags, small human and pet first aid kits, and a water bottle.
Hands-Free Leashes (my personal favorite!) — We use and recommend these so often that we reached out to the brands and secured exclusive discounts for the Dog Meets Baby community. You'll find the discount codes below.
Dominika likes biothane leashes from High Tail Hikes - code DOGMEETSBABY10 for 10% off your order.
Scooters and Bikes for Older Toddlers on Dog Walks
For older toddlers, riding along on their scooter or bike is a great option. I like that it allows their speed to more closely resemble an adult’s or a dog’s walking pace - I’m a fast walker after living in NYC, so keeping up with a toddler on a bike is my jam! Just be sure to set boundaries around order (who goes first in line - toddler on bike or stroller) and spacing (if the toddler is riding behind you, how much space do they need to leave between scooter/bike and you/stroller/dog?).
Micro Mini 3in1 Scooter - love how long this has lasted across ages, stages, abilities, and siblings.
Strider Bike - an easy first intro for learning how to balance on 2 wheels. They are often available secondhand!
Guardian Bike - this has been a great transition for our 3 year old switching to a pedal bike from a balance bike.
Woom Bikes - Dominika chose them because so many of her friends raved about them. They are super light, great quality, and have an amazing resale value.
Safety tip: Having an older child ride along should only be considered if your dog is not fearful of the scooter or bike approaching and riding near them.
The Best Double Strollers for Walking With a Dog
Look for one that handles all terrains and can convert to hold 1 or 2 (or 3) children, depending on what you need for the season.
UppaBaby Vista Stroller - great quality, amazing customer service, and lots of seating options as your family grows. It handled really well for the miles of dirt and rock paths in San Francisco parks, and the seating arrangements seamlessly changed as our family grew from 1 baby to toddler and baby, to 2 toddlers. The stroller is certainly an investment, but I’m incredibly pleased with its performance over 4+ years, on rough terrain, through changing seasons, many moves, and the leash antics of a pulling dog. 10/10 recommend.
Here are Dominika’s picks for a double stroller:
Zoebaby double stroller: We got it initially as our travel stroller because it was light and fits standard 30-inch doorways with ease, but we ended up using it as our second stroller. We are both tall - the adjustable handlebar was great, it had good canopies, folded up flat in seconds, and took less trunk space. I also liked the color. Since my kids were little, Zoebaby has grown a lot, and has several options for multiple children. 10/10 recommend (this link gets you $15 off a stroller)
Mountain Buggy double stroller - we had the Duet, and I LOVED this stroller. So much so we often travelled with this stroller, we took it with us to Europe twice, Canada, and Japan. Very sturdy, big basket, perfect for on-the-go naps, very easy to maneuver. Great canopies, and very comfortable for bundled-up kids. Lola walked with this stroller better than without it, and it felt safe. I cried when it was time to sell it, it was one of the best investments. 12/10 recommend.
Citi Select by Baby Jogger - we initially got this one because it came highly recommended in my Parents of Multiples group, but it didn’t feel stable on the hilly San Francisco sidewalks. Walking my 60-pound Labrador Lola was out of the question for me, although my husband didn’t mind it. I also didn’t like having the kids in front of each other, we sold it when the kids were 5 months old. Baby Jogger has great strollers overall, known for forever-air rubber tires, one-hand quick folds, durable aluminum frames, and high weight capacities. If you live in a flat neighborhood and need something that will fit through narrow entrances, this stroller works great. 7/10 recommend as a double stroller for a family with a dog.
For more information on stroller walks with a dog and baby, check out this blog post.
When Should You NOT Walk Your Dog with Your Baby or Toddler?
Not all environments or situations will be suitable for taking your child(ren) and dog out for a walk together.
A walking area with many loose dogs, either aggressive, unknown, or you’re noticing concerning body language - it’s risky having your child accessible to them.
Your dog is reactive and having to juggle their big feelings while out with your baby or toddler may be too much - this splits your attention. While your child needs soothing or assistance, your dog may react to a trigger you don’t even see coming.
Some children are runners, either from the stroller or while holding your hand - managing an exploring dog while chasing after a toddler can be overwhelming and unsafe, even for the best of us.
If you’re planning on taking your dog to the dog park, check out this blog post on why they’re not a safe place for babies or young children.
In these situations, it’s best to either avoid the walk altogether and opt for a different enrichment activity or plan a time for a second caregiver to be present so one takes the dog, and the other takes the child.
You Don't Have to Get It Right the First Time
Here's what I wish someone had told me during those first sweaty, tearful attempts: leaving the house with a baby, a toddler, and a dog is a skill, not a personality trait. It's not that some moms are naturally organized and the rest of us are drowning. It's that the ones who make it look easy have simply done it forty times.
And on the days it doesn't work? Choose play in the backyard, a frozen lick mat, and ten minutes of nose work (or other enrichment game) instead. Not every day needs to be the highlight reel.
Resources:
Shop the walk
Every product mentioned — rugs, gates, carriers, leashes, strollers, scooters, snacks — is collected here:(→ new collection) and our Amazon safety supplies list.
