emember Nana the dog in Peter Pan? Now that was a well-trained pet. She put the kids to sleep, protected them from strangers (most, anyway), and even did the laundry. But unless you know where to get a dog like that, you may want to carefully plan how to introduce your new baby to your dog or cat.

Chances are your beloved canine or feline already knows something is up. Mom’s belly is getting bigger, the house is getting rearranged, there are all kinds of new smells… diapers and Desitin… baby blankets and bottles… and what’s the deal with all these stuffed animals? Pets pick up on hormonal changes as well, so there’s a good chance your dog or cat knew you were pregnant even before you did. Still, you are going to want to make preparations in order to ensure a happy homecoming for your baby.

Don’t wait until the third trimester to get things ready with your pet. Once you know you’re expecting, there are a number of things you can start with right away.

Obedience Training
No, not your husband. If you haven’t already done this kind of work, you’ve got the next nine months to get over any bad habits. Address behavior problems such as jumping, mouthing, possessiveness, fear, or anxiety. If you’re not sure how to work with your pet on your own, seek help from an animal behaviorist. Consider enrolling in a training class with your dog - this will help with obedience and enhance the bond between the two of you. Remember, your dog’s behavior is controllable while your baby’s is not for the first few years (though there are reports that this can extend well into the teenage and even adult years).

Baby Practice
Invite friends with babies over to your home so that your pet can get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of children. You can play recordings of a baby crying, turn on the mechanical swing, use the rocking chair, and even practice holding a baby doll in order to accustom your pet to the upcoming routine.

Sleeping Arrangements
If you allow your dog or cat to sleep on your bed, think about whether or not this will continue once the baby comes. Your pet looks to you for stability and consistency. If you suddenly decide that the bed is off limits because the baby is there sometimes, you will create anxiety and possible resentment in your pet. A gradual transition to a pet bed is a better way to go.

Our dogs have always slept at the foot of the bed and we didn’t want to change that. It was very important, however, to make it clear that the bed is also a place for our baby. We spent plenty of time with our dogs and baby on the bed, teaching the dogs to be gentle and showing them that the baby was not going to steal all the love away. This way, the bed became a peaceful, restful place and not a territory to protect. We also got a king-size mattress.

Health
Take your dog or cat for an annual wellness exam before the baby comes. This way you will be able to address any particular health problems while your life is still relatively controlled. Spay or neuter if you haven’t already done so - fixed pets tend to have fewer health problems and are generally less aggressive.

The Introduction
Once your baby is born, have dad or a friend bring home a blanket or piece of clothing that the baby has used so your dog or cat can get familiar with your baby’s scent. If your pet has a special sleeping place, put this blanket or garment there so your pet can get used to it - you want to establish this new smell under positive circumstances. Allow your pet to sniff around the nursery too, but establish that this is not a room your pet can visit any time he or she wants - you need to have this control so there is quiet when it’s time for your baby to sleep.

Many trainers recommend a quiet, brief, and supervised first meeting. Let dad carry the baby inside since your pet will be eager to greet mom who has been away for a few days. Keep the baby at a higher elevation than your pet. This may sound like common sense, but there are other reasons, too. Dogs tend to divide the world into leaders and littermates, and the smaller you are, the more likely you are the latter. Littermates get jumped on, pushed around, schooled, and even bitten. You want to establish early on that your baby is a leader in training.

You may be able to lessen the stress and anxiety of the homecoming by bringing a new toy for your pet - another way to make a positive association with the new member of your family. If you feel your pet has particular issues, consult a professional trainer. GrowingUpWithPets.com is also an excellent resource for information regarding pets with children.

Cat Litter
Just like mom had to avoid the cat box while pregnant, your baby should stay away from it as well. This is not because cat litter is inherently dangerous, but cat feces can be. Cats occasionally carry a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which they contract from eating infected prey, raw meat, or by digging in contaminated soil (indoor cats rarely have it). The resulting disease, toxoplasmosis, is not very serious in adults who quickly establish immunity. But children who are born with it or contract it as infants can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness.

Wear gloves if you must change the litter and whenever gardening. Always wash hands thoroughly and keep your baby away from the cat box.

Living Together
Once you have gotten over the initial hurdle of the introduction, you still must pay attention as your baby and pet develop their relationship. Don’t be overprotective of your little one, but never allow your pet to be aggressive toward your baby. Whenever possible, use positive reinforcement - give your dog and cat love and affection while your baby is present and show them that there’s plenty to go around.

Keep your pet’s nails well trimmed - a grooming process you can begin long before the baby comes. It’s not hard for a child to get scratched accidentally.

Make sure you dispose of dirty diapers in a pet-proof container. Dogs will play with and even eat dirty diapers as an instinctual way of keeping their den clean. Or some, like our dachshund, just like to be bad. Either way, get those dirty diapers out to the trash as soon as possible.

The most important thing when establishing a relationship with your pets and your baby is keeping things positive and consistent. Your dog and cat look to you as the leader who keeps the peace, and so does your baby. Remember that the way you treat your pets will be imitated eventually by your child, so now is the time to start setting a good example. Unless, of course, you can get your dog to sit and watch Peter Pan.