The best and safest option of all is to move dog out of bed room into its own safe place: for dogs that do well with separation, I recommend moving them far away from your room so they can get a good night sleep when you have a newborn.
Give your dog a really comfortable bed of his own. Start by putting up a baby gate to your bedroom and the dog's bed on the landing. This way he can still see you and hear you, and feel part of the family.
However, our recommendation is to not allow direct contact between the dog and the baby. They can be in the same room, assuming your pet is not exhibiting concerning behaviors. Newborn babies have many movements and sounds that can elicit predatory instincts in some dogs.
Growing evidence also suggests that exposure to household pets, particularly dogs, during pregnancy and infancy may increase immunity and help lower the baby's risk of health problems such as allergies and asthma.
Some pets may sleep very quietly and still through the night. If this is the case, they should not disturb your child's sleep. However, if your dog snores, scratches and wriggles about during sleep, it will continually disturb your child.
Dogs are sociable animals and love company, but although it is good practice that they learn to be home alone for a period of time, it is not advisable to leave them alone for very long periods, like overnight. Many dogs feel worried when they are left on their own, especially if they have been used to having company.
Go ahead and sleep with your dog—it's perfectly safe, as long as you are both healthy. In fact, sharing your bedroom with your canine companion—as long as he isn't under the covers—may actually improve your sleep, according to recent research published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
So, even though it may look cute, a dog licking a baby's face should not be allowed. In fact, I don't recommend it even for healthy adults. If your dog likes to give the adults in the family “kisses,” let them lick your hand and then immediately wash your hand thoroughly afterward.
A newborn brings a whole range of new smells and sounds into your home, and perhaps the most worrying is crying. Remember, your dog picks up on energy, and the energy that your baby is giving off while crying is anything but calm and assertive. Your dog may become distressed, too, whimpering, whining, and barking.
Sara Ochoa, DVM Veterinary Consultant for doglab.com
Dogs can easily tell that babies are babies. Not only their size they can sense that these babies need more care and attention. Many dogs will become very protective over new babies and claim them as their own.
Introduce Your Dog to Baby Sights, Sounds and Smells
Unwrap new baby supplies, such as toys, car seats, highchairs and swings, from their packaging and introduce them to your dog one or two at a time. You can also place smaller items on the floor when you're around to supervise your dog.
On a scientific level, Hartstein says that “dogs are neophiles and love new things and beings. They experience the world predominantly through their olfactory glands, so a new baby in the house smells and is incredibly interesting to a dog.”
Animals may want to jump in.
Bassinets, cribs, bouncers and swings are for babies and babies only! The risk of suffocation or injury is too great. Please don't let your fur babies use these items and make any sleeping space your baby will be in a “no pet” zone while your baby is sleeping.
To help your dog and baby coexist, give him a treat when the baby cries, squeals or coos so he'll associate those baby sounds with something positive. And instead of making all things baby off-limits, let your furry companion take a whiff of your little one's feet, clothes and diapers as you hold each one to his nose.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that regardless of breed or the size of your dog he can get jealous if you bring a new baby into the family. Your furry family member is even more likely to get jealous if he is male, and the chances also increase even more if your dog has not been neutered or spayed.
Generally, dogs will want to sniff the baby and may nudge the baby with their nose or even lick the baby. For the most part, unless the baby was born with a particularly weak immune system or other health concern, these actions are perfectly fine and are a normal investigation process for your dog.
They instinctively want to protect the youngest family member. For years, dogs have been pack animals, which is one of their wired responses to hierarchy. A dog releases dopamine in the presence of a child, so you know that even their biology makes it enjoyable to play with babies.
They Play Together. Over time, and as your pet realizes the baby isn't going anywhere, you might notice them sharing toys or playing together. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.
Prolonged close contact to dogs exposes them to pet dander and may result in respiratory symptoms. But even people who do not have pet allergies can suffer increased allergic symptoms when co-sleeping with their dog. When dogs are ouside, dust and pollen clings to their fur and can exacerbate human allergies.
A dedicated dog bed is the best place for your pup to rest their weary head at night. But depending on your dog's personality, there might be other sleeping locations that they prefer, or ways you can make their bed more comfortable. Learn why dogs need their own beds and how you can help your pup get better rest.
Some puppies may be ready to sleep in bed at 4 months old, but some may need to be 6 months old or older before they can sleep with you. Don't focus on the number but rather your dog's individual readiness for this big step. Only you can determine when that is.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.