Like Lady in Lady and the Tramp, your pup may feel that she or he is the sole center of your universe. When a baby enters the picture, your pet may feel that his or her world was turned upside down, just like the dogs in the animated movie. Many dog-parents get worried when they start to have a family of their own, and need to introduce Bingo to the baby. You may fear that the dog will be angry or jealous of the attention that your new infant will gain, and in turn try to harm your baby. If you are concerned about this, here are some practical things to keep in mind when introducing your biological baby to your furry one.

Before you bring baby home, let your pet explore the nursery room. You will want him or her to be familiar with the sights and scents in the room so that he or she can associate them with the new baby. While it's good to let your pet explore initially, you may want to keep him or her out of the room when the baby is home. You don't want to let your animal be with your infant when they are unsupervised, just in case something goes awry. Also, you don't want your pet to knock things over and mess up the room.

When you are bringing home a new child, remember that your dog will need some extra love. The same goes for cats. Try to prioritize some time with your pet so that he or she will feel wanted. Sometimes animals will pick up that a new little being is in the house and it will employ their "pack" instinct. They may not like the involuntary intrusion into their little clan. Your dog may view your baby has lower in the pack order, and try to establish his or her position by displaying dominant action. Male dogs are more prone to do this than female dogs, who may act on their instinct to be motherly with weaker creatures. Still, you will want to watch for any signs of aggression that your dog displays.

If he or she brings her ears back and growls around your child, you will want to address this situation. Your dog might also be depressed when he or she meets the baby. Signs of depression include lethargy and a lack of appetite. If your dog displays these attributes, then you may want to give him or her some extra love and attention. Make it a priority to take your dog on a walk, or play fetch with him or her in the back yard. A dog that is not ignored is less likely to display these signs of domination or aggression against the baby. Also, your canine probably believes that you are the leader of the "pack." If you teach him or her to be gentle and sweet with the new baby, he or she will probably obey your instruction.

If you have a cat, chances are that he or she will be disinterested in the child at first. Most cats would rather not be bothered, and will only react to the infant if they notice that it is being handled more than they are. Make sure that your cat does not get too close to the baby, especially while it is sleeping. Cats may want to cuddle next to the warm infant and could smother it with their fur. When you introduce your pet to the baby for the first time, gently bring the two closer together. Don't pull the baby away suddenly if your dog reacts, because the pet may assume that the child is a threat. To be honest, some pets will react better to an infant then others. If you plan to have children, try to choose a dog that is known for being friendly with "little" people. If your dog does not work well with children, then keep them far apart in case of danger.