We’d all love nothing more than for our furry babies and human babies to get along in one big family.  Some pets unfortunately resist change and resent anything that takes attention away from them.

You may be thinking, “No, my Spot and Mittens are perfectly mannered love bugs,” but ask yourself these questions first.

1. Does your pet display possessive behavior?  Do they growl when you get near their toys or food?  Do they growl when you’re holding them and someone else comes near you?
2. How does your pet greet someone?  By standing up and putting their paws on that person?  By barking and shying away?
3. How does your pet get along with smaller animals?  Do they chase?  Do they fixate?

If you answered yes to any of these, there’s some behavior to remedy and it’s high time to check out your local dog training center.  It may cost a hefty penny, but consider the price you would put on your baby’s life.  Just as you must first be a mother and not a friend to your children, you must first be a leader for your pack of animals.

If your pets don’t show any aggression, there are still small steps you should take to make the introduction between the pack and its new member a happy one.

1. Parents will be more preoccupied when the baby arrives.  In the months preceding birth, pay less attention to your pets to get them used to being more autonomous.  This doesn’t mean you can’t love on them!  Just remember that dogs and cats are both very cunning creatures.  Give them an inch and they learn that they can boss you around.
2. After the baby is born, bring home a blanket with the baby’s smell.  Wrap a doll in it and put it on the couch.  Correct your pets when they come to smell it.  They are not allowed to even smell it until you invite them.  Since it’s difficult to train a cat, get in the habit of using a spray bottle of water to discourage bad behavior.
3. If your dog doesn’t have a crate, get him one that’s appropriate for his size.  Although the crate should never be used as punishment, practice putting the dog inside it with a Kong stuffed with peanut butter for an hour at a time.  If the dog is ever in the way or becomes excited around the baby, he can be put into the crate.  Do not put the crate in the child’s bedroom.
4. Do not allow the dog into the baby’s bedroom, not even when you’re in it.  Instructing your dog to respect the baby’s space tells the dog that he is not higher on the pecking order than the baby.
5. Neither dogs nor cats should be allowed near the baby unsupervised.  Even snuggle-happy cats can accidentally hurt a baby.

You are the pack leader for both your furry and human babies.  Earn their respect and love will naturally follow.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching Spanish scholarships as well as Spanish student scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.