Ideally, your dog will already be relaxed and happy about being stroked everywhere on their body. However, if your dog gets overly excited when stroked, then you’ll get to slowly work on this with some gentle handling exercises once they are calm and quiet. You may want to keep your dog away for the first week or so, especially if they seem too excited and you have to think about the safety of your newborn. That said, if your

If your dog is sensitive about certain areas being stroked, then you’ll need to be mindful of this when your baby becomes more mobile, as a baby’s enthusiasm for stroking can easily overwhelm a shy dog. Just take your time and always be cautious. You may also want to get the dog used to the sounds of the bay’s toys and allow him or her to smell the blanket the baby is wrapped in, as this will help him or her become more familiar with your son or daughter.