My wife and I just had our first baby. We used to let our dogs sleep in the bed with us, but now we decided to stop because of the baby. One of our dogs sheds a lot, and we didn’t want the baby rolling around in dog hair. It’s been four nights since the change, and now our golden doodle keeps peeing downstairs at night.
He never peed in the house before this, and when he slept in our room, there were no accidents. I know dogs don’t pee out of spite, but what can I do to stop this? It’s not even a lot of pee, just a little, and it’s always on something, like he’s marking his spot.
Your dog is stressed and needs help adjusting. Imagine from his side: he was sleeping with his family, feeling safe and loved, and now he’s suddenly alone at night. That’s a big shift for him.
You don’t have to let him back in the bed, but you should try to ease him into the new routine. Could he sleep on a dog bed or in a crate in your room? That way, he still feels close to you without the baby being around dog hair.
Also, make sure he’s getting enough attention and exercise during the day. If things are busy with the baby, maybe a dog walker could help. Extra exercise could make him calmer and more ready to sleep in his new spot.
It sounds like separation anxiety. Some dogs really struggle being alone at night. Could you set up a spot for him next to your bed, maybe in a crate or playpen? If you can, try sleeping downstairs with him for a few nights to help him adjust to his new sleeping spot.
I get that time is tight with a newborn, but even short, enriching walks or play sessions can help. If you can manage it, nature walks or letting him run on a long leash might burn off some energy and make him more relaxed at night.
This sounds like a stressed dog feeling left out. He’s used to being part of your pack, and now he feels shut out. Honestly, I would’ve made the change before the baby arrived to give him time to adjust.
You could try having him sleep on the floor next to your bed or in a crate nearby. If hair is the problem, maybe brushing him more often could help reduce the shedding? The key is to make him feel like he’s still part of the family while keeping the baby safe.
It’s definitely stress from all the changes. My dog has done similar things when his routine shifted. Someone else mentioned letting your dog sleep in a crate or a dog bed in your room; that could work well. Another option is using a playpen to create a safe space for him near you at night. Adding something that smells like you, like a worn shirt, to his bed might also help.
If he’s anxious, having your scent close by could give him some comfort without needing to be in the bed.
Dogs don’t act out of spite. He’s dealing with a big change in his life. Stay patient and use positive reinforcement to teach him to pee outside again. If it’s overwhelming, a dog trainer could help you figure out the best approach.
I think it’s stress too. If he’s crate trained, maybe you could set up his crate in your bedroom so he can be close to you at night. If your bedroom door is shut now to keep him out, that could add to his anxiety. Keeping him nearby might make him feel more secure.
I had a similar experience with a dog that used to act out when things changed. They’re not trying to upset you; it’s their way of coping with stress.
It’s heartbreaking to see them struggle with changes in the household. My dog used to do little things to remind me he was upset but also loved us deeply. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve been through. Cherish the moments, even the frustrating ones, because they really are part of the family.
I’m also adjusting to life with a newborn and dogs. I’ve been trying to think about it from their point of view because so much has changed for them too. I’ve started moving their beds into the bedroom so they still feel included, even if they’re not allowed on the bed anymore.
It’s tough to balance everything, but I think showing them they’re still part of the family can help. Maybe try bringing a dog bed into your room for him and see if that helps?