Paws & Pushchairs: Navigating Life with Dogs and Babies

If you’ve ever watched your dog tear through the house on a zoomie rampage, you already know that a single four-legged baby can turn a peaceful home into complete chaos in seconds. Now, throw another baby into the mix - this time one with significantly less hair - and suddenly, your once-organised life becomes a whirlwind of muddy paw prints, scattered toys, and sleepless nights.

Life with dogs and babies is a rollercoaster of cuteness, cuddles, and—let’s be real—utter madness. From the barking that wakes the baby just as they’ve drifted off to sleep, to the never-ending mission of keeping tiny hands out of the dog’s food bowl, every day is an adventure. First of all, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with all this, then know this is completely normal. It’s something so many of us have experienced but also something we’ve all managed to master with the right advice and tools.

So today, let us help you navigate the beautiful chaos of raising dogs and babies together. We’ll share practical tips to keep your household running smoothly, strategies to help your pup adjust to a new sibling (or vice versa), and clever ways to make sure you, the hard working parent, get the breaks you deserve.

Introducing dogs and babies to each other is an exciting but delicate process. It’s important to take things slow to set both your pup and your little one up for success. You’re going to need plenty of patience, preparation, and positive reinforcement to make it work.

Start by brushing up on your dog’s training before the big introduction. Commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” will be incredibly useful when managing interactions. And of course, reinforcing good behaviour with plenty of praise and treats helps your dog associate the baby with positive experiences.

When it’s time for the first meeting, keep things calm and controlled. Allow your dog to sniff a blanket or clothing item that smells like the baby before the initial introduction. This helps them get used to the new scent in a non-threatening way. Once your dog is comfortable, introduce them to the baby gradually, keeping interactions short and positive.

Supervision is key. You should never leave dogs and babies alone together. Keep your dog on a leash if necessary and watch for signs of stress, such as yawning, lip licking, or turning away. If your dog seems overwhelmed, give them space and try again later. Always reward calm behaviour with praise and treats.

For more detailed advice on introducing your dog to your new baby, we’ve written an entire blog post on the topic. Feel free to give it a read here!

Creating a calm space for dogs and babies is essential for maintaining a peaceful household. Dogs can be sensitive to new changes, and the arrival of a baby can be overwhelming for them. By providing designated safe spaces, you can help ease stress for both your pup and your little one.

One great way to support your dog during this transition is by setting up a quiet retreat where they can go when the baby is crying or when they just need some alone time. A cosy bed in a low-traffic area of the house can be a perfect escape. For added relaxation, try using calming dog toys like our Calming Pals Lavender Scent Sheep. Infused with a lavender scent, this plush toy provides a soothing effect that helps reduce anxiety in both puppies and fully grown dogs.

Equally, it can be helpful to set boundaries and keep your dog out of the nursery, ensuring a calm environment for your baby while also giving your pup a structured routine. You can reinforce this with baby gates or by training your dog to respect certain areas of the house.

For dogs that need extra help winding down, consider using lavender-scented sprays or lighting a dog-safe candle like our SNOOZE Dog Calming Candle. Made with 100% soy wax and natural essential oils, this dog calming candle blends soothing scents like pine needle, cedarwood, lavender, and geranium. This snooze-inducing scent can help your dog relax into a deep slumber, reducing stress and anxiety.

Using enrichment toys for downtime is an excellent way to keep your dog mentally stimulated, entertained, and calm while also giving you a much-needed break. Dogs thrive on mental exercise just as much as physical activity, and engaging their brains can help reduce stress, prevent destructive behaviours, and promote relaxation.

Enrichment toys are particularly useful when you need your dog to settle down, whether you're tending to your baby, working from home, or just enjoying a rare quiet moment. Interactive toys like lick mats, treat dispensers, and slow feeders are fantastic additions to your dog toy arsenal, offering a fun and rewarding way for your pup to stay occupied.

Starting us off are lick mats, textured silicone mats designed to hold soft treats like peanut butter or yogurt. As your dog licks and works to extract every last bit, it provides a calming and soothing effect, making it a perfect tool for anxious or hyperactive dogs.

Treat dispensers, on the other hand, release small treats as your dog interacts with them, encouraging problem-solving and engagement while slowing down fast eaters. Slow feeders are similar but work by making mealtime more of a challenge, reducing gulping and turning eating into a fun puzzle.

If you're looking for the best enrichment toys to keep your dog engaged and entertained, here are some top picks from the team here at WOOOF. These toys provide your dog with mental stimulation while giving you some much-needed downtime, whether it’s to change a nappy, settle your little one down for a nap or to just enjoy a well-earned coffee break.

The WOOOF Pupsicle

The WOOOF Pupsicle is a fantastic treat-dispensing dog toy designed to keep dogs entertained while providing a delicious and rewarding experience. This interactive dog toy allows you to make your own treats, or pop one of our pre-made Popsicle Pops inside for at least 30 minutes of downtime.

Simply unscrew the Pupsicle, insert one of the Pops treats, and let your pup enjoy the challenge of licking and chewing it out. The slow licking action encourages calm behaviour, making it perfect for anxious dogs or those that need a tasty distraction.

We also have our very own Pupsicle Treat Tray for when you have a little extra time and you want to create your own homemade dog treats to go inside the treat dispenser. Mix together all your dog’s favourite foods whether it be pumpkin, strawberry, natural yoghurt or dog-friendly peanut butter and freeze for a long-lasting, delicious snack.

Easy to clean, refill, and designed with safety in mind, the WOOOF Pupsicle is a must-have for any dog parent looking to keep their pup happy and engaged while enjoying a little downtime themselves.

The Dogsee Yak Chew Toy

The Dogsee Yak Chew Toy is another long-lasting treat dispenser, but this time one that has some added dental benefits. Inside the yeti-shaped toy, you can pop in a yak chew, a dog treat made from hardened yak milk. It’s a food that’s not only highly nutritious but also great for keeping dogs occupied for extended periods.

The tough texture of the yak chew encourages chewing, which helps clean teeth and strengthen jaws while reducing destructive chewing behaviours. Unlike traditional rawhide chews, the Dogsee Yak Chew Toy is completely digestible and free from artificial additives, making it a much safer and healthier option.

The Dogsee Treatoy comes with 5 yak bar nuggets, and you can purchase the Dogsee Play Treatoy refill packs of 10 pieces. To set it up, pop one of the yak chew nuggets inside the treat dispenser and set it in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds and watch as the nugget expands, filling the hole of the toy so it’s not an easy task for your dog to get it out!

The Honey Pot by SodaPup

The Honey Pot by SodaPup is another charming and innovative dog enrichment toy inspired by nature. Made with ultra-durable Pup-X material, this toy is built for long-lasting fun and engagement and can be filled with a variety of treats such as kibble, peanut butter, or homemade mixtures to create a stimulating challenge for your pup.

This honey-pot shaped dog toy is particularly great for slowing down fast eaters, offering mental stimulation, and reducing boredom. For an extra challenge, freeze treats inside to provide a cooling, long-lasting reward.

Getting outside for fresh air and exercise is beneficial for everyone in the family including your dog, your baby, and you. Daily walks provide essential physical activity, mental enrichment, and a chance to bond with your pup and little one.

We know that walking with a baby in a pushchair and a dog on a lead can feel a little overwhelming at first, but with the right gear, it can be much easier. We always recommend a sturdy collar, lead, and harness to keep your dog secure.

The Zee.Dog Softer Walk Harness range is fantastic if your dog tends to pull a little while walking. The no-pull dog harness is designed to give both you and your dog a smoother, more comfortable walking experience. It features two D-rings, one on the back and one on the front, to gently guide your dog towards you if they start to pull and it’s fully adjustable for a perfect fit.

If your dog is well-trained at heel walking, we highly recommend one of the hands-free dog leads from Zee.Dog. These leads wrap easily around your body, freeing up your hands for other things like picking up a spat-out dummy or tucking your baby in! They also give your dog the confidence to walk more independently while keeping them safely attached to you.

Having plenty of dog treats nearby is a game-changer when you’ve got a baby to care for and a dog who deserves some love too. Whether you're rewarding good behaviour, stuffing them into a treat dispenser for a quick and easy distraction, or just giving your pup a little extra joy, keeping treats handy makes life a whole lot easier.

We’ve got loads of fantastic treats and chews here at WOOOF, and right now, our dogs are loving the natural, high-quality goodies from Wild Pack. These treats are delicious and packed with benefits, using 100% British meat to provide glossier coats, better digestion, and even fresher breath.

There’s also no grains, fillers, or artificial nasties, just pure, real food. They’re vet-approved and perfect for training, rewarding, or simply treating your dog to something special. Plus, they come in recyclable packaging, so you can feel good about your purchase while keeping your pup happy.

Creating a routine that works for both your dogs and babies is one of the best ways to bring harmony to your household. Dogs thrive on consistency, and babies benefit from predictable schedules so aligning their routines can make life easier for everyone.

Having set times for walks, meals, playtime, and rest can help your dog feel secure and reduce any stress or anxiety about the changes a new baby brings. For your baby, a structured day with familiar rhythms helps with sleep, mood, and development. When your dog knows when to expect attention and activity, they’ll be more patient during times when you’re focused on your little one.

A well-planned routine also allows for enrichment time, ensuring your dog stays mentally stimulated while you care for your baby. Whether it’s a morning walk together, designated play sessions, or downtime with one of our dog enrichment toys, making time for both your pup and your baby will strengthen their bond and create a calmer household.

Bringing dogs and babies into harmony may feel overwhelming at first, but with the right tools, a little patience, and a solid routine, everything begins to fall into place. The chaos you’re experiencing now will soon feel like a distant memory, replaced by a smoother, more balanced household where both your pup and your baby grow up as best friends.

Here at WOOOF, we have everything you need to make life with dogs and babies easier. Whether it’s our carefully curated enrichment toys, delicious treats, or top-quality walk wear, we’re here to help you navigate this journey with confidence. Because when you have the right support, raising dogs and babies together can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all.

Why Zee.Dog Leads the Pack in Leashes & Harnesses

How To Introduce Your Dog to a New Baby

Everything You Need to Know & Buy Before Getting a New Puppy