How I’m Teaching My Dog to Be More Independent Before the Baby Comes
Let’s be honest: I love that my dog is obsessed with me.
He’s my little shadow—follows me into every room, curls up next to me while I work, and watches the bathroom door like I’ve gone to war.
But as my due date gets closer, I’ve started thinking about how he’ll cope when things change—when the baby cries at 2 a.m., or I’m feeding in another room, or we can’t go for long walks for a while.
So I’ve been gently working on building his independence, not to push him away, but to prepare him for a shift in our world—and to protect his emotional well-being.
Here’s what’s helped us so far:
1. Teaching Calm Alone Time
Instead of letting him follow me everywhere, I’ve started introducing short “alone times” in the living room or hallway:
- I use a comfy dog bed and give him a lickmat with peanut butter
- I step out for 2–3 minutes and come back calmly
- Over time, we’re working up to 15–20 minute breaks
This has helped him realize being alone isn’t scary—it’s just a little break, and I always come back.
2. Creating a “Safe Spot” Just for Him
We chose a quiet corner of our home and made it his own space:
- A memory foam bed
- His favorite stuffed animal
- A calming diffuser to reduce stress
I encourage him to go there when the house feels busy. Once the baby comes, this will be his go-to retreat when he needs a break from the noise and energy.
3. Switching from Constant Attention to Quality Time
Before, I gave him attention all day. Now I focus on intentional, high-quality time:
- Morning snuggle + walk
- Afternoon training game or puzzle
- Evening chill-out while I read or stretch
By anchoring attention into predictable chunks, he knows love is coming—even if I’m busy in between.
4. Practicing “Settle” and “Place” Commands
These two commands have been game-changers:
- “Place” = Go to your bed and stay
- “Settle” = Relax and lie down near me without needing attention
I started using these during chores, phone calls, and even pregnancy yoga. I reward calm behavior and release him when I’m done.
Training tools I love:
5. Prepping for Baby-Only Moments
Some things will be just for baby—like tummy time on the floor or diaper changes. So we’ve started role-playing:
- I hold a doll (yes, really) while sitting on the floor and ask him to “stay” nearby
- I reward him for staying calm and not climbing on me
- This will help him understand that not every moment includes him—and that’s okay
Final Thoughts
Our dogs are family—and change can be hard for them too. But with a little patience and prep, we can help them feel safe, secure, and still so loved when baby arrives.
If you’re in the same boat, just know this: it doesn’t have to be perfect. You’re doing an amazing job preparing both your pup and yourself.