Once you realize that you are expecting a human baby, well-meaning friends and neighbors, sometimes family members descend upon you with a ton of good advice, and then this little gem: "Why don't you get rid of the dog? He's so spoiled, you know he'll be jealous and try to bite the baby."

Many new parents think that the impending arrival of a new baby is time to get rid of the beloved family dog. Please don't make this mistake! You should start now, before Baby arrives, getting your dog used to baby items. Desensitizing your dog to baby sounds and restrictions that will come will help your dog accept his newest "sort of sibling".

Take your dog to obedience classes, even if you have before, just to get a refresher on them. Your dog will not only appreciate the one-on-one time with you, but will also have the lessons fresh in his mind when you need to use them. When the baby arrives, take care not to shut your dog out of your life! Jealously fosters quickly when the dog sees that the new baby has shunted him out of the family picture.

Before you start calling your local animal control, and making arrangements for Brutus the dog to find a new residence, why not start now and get poor Brutus used to the fact that he's going to have a "sort of" sibling crawling around soon? It can be done, and fairly easily, and there's no need to remove from your life an animal that's been your best friend through thick and thin (and getting thicker).

Yes I have all ready said this but Obedience classes are a must. Yes, I do tend to stress this a lot, but that is because it is so important. Obedience classes are as much for the owner as they are for the dog. Teaching you how to correctly handle your dog and your dog what is expected is a necessity in any relationship, and having a baby on the way makes this doubly important.

Obedience classes not only ensure that your dog is well behaved, but also build a strong foundation of socialization experience. A dog that learns to handle himself in a crowded room filled with other dogs and owners wandering about, will also handle himself well when baby starts to crawl.

You've got a couple of months left before the new baby arrives, and your faithful companion is still secure in the knowledge that she's Number One. It's time to get her used to sharing your affection. As with all important desensitization processes, and yes, that is what this is too, you'll need to start slowly.

If you don't want Pooch in the newly appointed "nursery", it's time to start prohibiting her access. Start by closing the door at night, or when you aren't home. If she ceases to see that room as her territory, she won't be as put out by being "put out". Gradually add during playtime to at night when the door is closed. Then after a while, usually a couple of weeks, start keeping her out when you are in there as well. Once it is firmly established that the nursery is a "no puppy" zone, you won't need to worry about Pooch hopping in there to play, and you won't have an incensed furball on your hands when you need to put the baby down, or change diapers.

Play recordings of a baby crying, and other various noises that little ones tend to make, not only will your dog get used to the sounds and start to take them for granted, but so will you. Crying at the volume a baby can wail at can be distressing for a dog who's never heard it before. I recommend starting them at a low volume, then gradually increasing it to a normal level.

When the time is drawing near and you have about four or five weeks left, start to sprinkle baby powder around the house to help her get used to this new smell. You might also want to start "borrowing" babies from friends, so the abrupt (to her) arrival of this little being that won't leave is not such a big change. Borrow baby blankets (unwashed) from the afore-mentioned friends as well, and let her get used to having them lying around. This is also a good way to get her used to not lying on a baby blanket draped along the sofa or chair as well. If she looks like she's about to get comfortable on a baby blanket on the floor, a firm "Off" and re-directing her to an appropriate place to lay down will set a pattern, and soon she'll be avoiding blankets that may hide a baby in the near future.

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