As a dog mom and mom-to-be, one of my biggest worries was how my pup would react to baby cries, squeals, and sudden sounds.
My girl is sweet, but like many dogs, she’s sensitive to loud or high-pitched noises. She startles easily and has some reactivity — so I knew I couldn’t wait until we brought the baby home to start preparing her.
The good news? You can start desensitizing your dog to baby sounds during pregnancy, using calm, controlled exposure and lots of positive reinforcement. Here’s what we’ve been doing—and what’s actually helped.
1. Introducing Baby Sounds Gradually
I started by finding a free playlist of baby noises: crying, babbling, cooing, giggling, even toy rattles and lullabies.
I played them on my phone at a very low volume, just enough for her to notice without getting startled.
Here’s the process I followed:
- Start low volume + reward calm behavior with a treat
- Slowly increase volume over a few days
- Change the setting (e.g., play while cooking, relaxing, or folding laundry)
- Keep the vibe low-stress and casual
2. Watching Her Body Language
As we introduced sounds, I kept a close eye on her:
- Ears pinned back = too loud or uncomfortable
- Yawning or lip licking = mild stress
- Tail wag and relaxed eyes = success!
If she looked unsure, I turned the volume down and paired it with something positive—a treat, a cuddle, or a quick play session. Over time, she started to ignore the noises completely.
3. Pairing Sounds with Real-Life Scenarios
To make it feel more realistic, I paired baby sounds with activities she’ll eventually experience:
- Playing baby cries while I rock a doll (yes, I’ve gone full practice mode!)
- Turning on cooing sounds while prepping bottles or folding baby clothes
- Playing giggles during cuddle time so she learns to associate happy baby sounds with calm time
Bonus: It’s helped me feel more confident about what’s to come.
4. Practicing Calm When the Noise Starts
One of our biggest wins? Teaching her to go to her “place” when a baby sound starts.
Now when she hears a cry or loud squeal, I gently guide her to her bed and reward her for staying there. We practice for just a few minutes at a time, always ending on a positive note.
Affiliate links:
5. Keeping Our Own Energy Calm
Dogs are sensitive to our stress, so I made a conscious effort to stay relaxed when the sounds played—no flinching, no tension, just normal energy.
This helped show her that baby noises are no big deal—just another part of home life.
Final Thoughts
It’s totally normal to feel nervous about how your dog will react to baby sounds—especially if your pup is sensitive, reactive, or extra attached to you.
But with consistency, patience, and positivity, it is possible to help your dog feel more at ease long before the baby arrives.
Your pup is learning just like you are—and you’ve got this. 💛