Why Adopting a Rescue Puppy During Pregnancy is the Perfect Timing for a Lifelong Family Dog
Bringing a baby into the family is a life-changing event + for many, it’s also the perfect time to welcome a rescue puppy.
Puppies are in a highly pliable developmental stage, making them more open to learning + adapting to family life right away.
By adopting during pregnancy, you’re setting the foundation for a well-socialized, balanced family dog while ensuring your baby + puppy grow up together—creating an incredible bond that lasts a lifetime.
I have raised rescue dogs since I was in the third grade. My husband had over 10 dogs in his childhood, too. Together, we’ve rescued 5 more dogs (+ a bunny, for the record!). We can say with certainty that the puppy-in-pregnancy timing has been the best situation for our well-adjusted family.
Now, to be clear: having a puppy does require effort. Is it worth it? We say yes, 100% of the time.
Read on for our reasons why:
1. A Puppy Raised Around Baby Behavior Becomes More Comfortable with it
Babies squeal, grab + move unpredictably—actions that can startle older or less-socialized dogs. But a young puppy raised around these behaviors learns early that tiny hands, wobbly movements + baby giggles are just part of normal life.
Because they’re in their prime developmental stage, they absorb these experiences without fear, leading to a calm + confident family dog.
2. Walking the Puppy Keeps Mom Moving for a Smoother Birth
Pregnancy is an endurance event + staying active is one of the best ways to prepare for the birth + the postpartum year beyond.
Walking a puppy provides built-in motivation to stay moving, which helps alleviate common pregnancy discomforts like swelling, back pain + fatigue.
It also strengthens stamina for labor, improves circulation + boosts mood by releasing endorphins. Instead of trying to force yourself to go on a walk, you have a real reason to get outside, move your body + enjoy fresh air.
What’s great about building a walking routine so early, is that your puppy can learn the neighborhood + will be your best stroller sidekick on future fresh air walks with baby.
3. Bonding Before Baby Arrives Strengthens the Pack Dynamic
Dogs are pack animals + a puppy that bonds with Mom before the baby arrives will instinctively recognize her as the leader. This early trust-building lays the foundation for a well-balanced, well-behaved dog.
Puppies that snuggle against a pregnant belly get used to the baby’s heartbeat + even scent before birth. By the time the baby arrives, the puppy already sees them as a familiar, accepted part of the pack.
4. Built-in Accountability for Training (Even on Exhausting Days)
Pregnancy can come with exhaustion + morning sickness, which actually makes it the perfect time to train a puppy.
You don’t have the energy to deal with bad behavior after it happens—so you’re more likely to be proactive with structured, positive reinforcement training.
Crate training, scheduled potty breaks + consistent cues can become second nature, preventing behavioral problems before they start.
5. Time to Acclimate the Puppy to Additional Helpers
Nine months gives you a generous runway to introduce your puppy to the people who will help after the baby arrives.
Whether it’s grandparents, a neighborhood dog sitter or older children stepping into a “big sibling” role, your puppy gets used to multiple caregivers. Even our home birth midwives are on our dogs’ “friends list”!
By the time the baby is here, the puppy already understands that different people provide care, walks + affection, which makes the transition smoother for everyone.
6. A Safe Space for the Dog Prevents Chaos Later
A well-balanced family dog needs structure + a retreat. Crate training provides a familiar, safe space where your dog can decompress when toddler energy becomes overwhelming.
This isn’t just beneficial for the dog—it also teaches children that dogs need boundaries + their own space, setting the tone for a respectful household.
When you’re integrating crate training into your lifestyle ahead of baby’s arrival, you’re able to ensure bigger siblings understand the routines + boundaries exceptionally well, so that even when you’re not physically nearby (which is still always ideally at a minimum with younger children, but, for example, a bathroom break or picking baby up from their crib), you can feel confident that everyone is safely contained.
7. Baby + Puppy Growing Up Together Creates an Incredible Bond
There’s something special about a baby + puppy experiencing life side by side. They’ll learn, explore + form an unbreakable connection from the start.
Many families find that when their dog has been present since birth, the relationship is more intuitive—like a built-in best friend who has always been part of the family. We have found this to be the case, too.
8. You’re Saving a Life (+ Where to Adopt)
The fact that shelters are so overcrowded that United States shelters are euthanizing THOUSANDS of dogs daily is abhorrent to me.
People will overstretch themselves financially to buy a “designer breed” or “purebred” but absolutely fail to meet the proper lifestyle requirements of the dog.
You end up with irresponsible pet ownership + innocent lives suffering the consequences.
Instead of spending $2,500 to $10,000+ for a breeder puppy, what if you spent $500 on a rescue puppy, put $150 into a puppy kindergarten class + then did the grown-up parent thing to do: follow through on providing the basic life necessities.
Real talk: Dogs need to get fed, walked, groomed + played with everyday whether they’re “fancy” or not.
And since you’re already convinced…
We highly recommend adopting from reputable rescues that prioritize fostering + early socialization.
- In the Northeast: New England Animal Rescue is an excellent option. We adopted our puppy, Bogey, from them + had the best experience. They are knowledgeable, aligned with our wellness values + incredibly easy to work with.
- In the South: Addicus’ Legacy Dog Rescue is another wonderful organization. Our puppy, Chip, came from them + we couldn’t be happier with the process.
Both of our current puppies were either brought into foster homes immediately upon rescue or born into foster care. This has made a huge difference in our family’s experience, as they were already accustomed to home life, making training + integration much smoother.
9. Cultivating Calmness + Respect from the Start
Following the principles of Cesar Millan’s approach, a well-integrated family dog thrives in an environment of calm, assertive leadership. Pregnancy is an ideal time to establish this tone:
- No frantic energy during training
- No overexcitement when entering a room
- No high-pitched, chaotic commands
Instead, you’re setting the stage for a dog that listens, trusts + respects the family hierarchy—without stress or confusion.
10. Puppy + Toddler Grow into the Perfect Adventure Team
By the time your newborn has reached toddlerhood, your puppy will have transitioned out of their high-energy puppy phase into a more mature + hormonally balanced adult dog. This makes outings much easier—whether it’s walks through the neighborhood, park visits or weekend adventures.
Your toddler will be learning to walk + explore at the same time your dog is reaching a steadier, more predictable phase of life. The result? A built-in adventure buddy who is just the right mix of playful + calm, making family outings both functional + fun.
The Bottom Line
Adopting a rescue puppy during pregnancy isn’t about adding chaos. It’s about intentionally shaping the kind of family dog that will grow alongside your child—one that is well-trained, naturally socialized + instinctively aligned with your family’s rhythms. By taking these steps now, you’re setting up a lifetime of smooth companionship + a well-balanced home from day one.
What questions do you have? Will you share your rescue stories with us?
Drop us a comment here to ask your questions about puppy rescue, pregnancy, or dog training with littles in the house.
We’ve invested thousands of dollars + hours into training + while we’re not professional trainers, we can 100% point you in the right direction.
And please send us your new puppy photos or tag us in them on Instagram! We would love to celebrate saving a life with you. 🤍
