Preparing for the arrival of a new family member is a stressful and exciting time. In addition to everything you need to do to prepare for a new baby, there are a few things you can do to make the transition easier for your pets. Most pets accept a newborn without problems. But, if you want to be especially careful, you can start preparing them ahead of time for the big event.

The transition to life with a child and pets is smooth. First, make sure your pets get their veterinary checkups and vaccinations up to date, as you may not have time for these things in the first few months after your baby is born. Give your pets a lot of special attention. Play with your cats and dogs regularly; exercise helps them relax and relieves stress for the whole family.

If you have a dog, consider taking him or her to a refresher course. Find a coach who uses positive reinforcement. A trainer with experience with infants and children is ideal as he or she can develop a training, exercise and safety plan for your family. It will save you a lot of time and nerves when you are busy with your baby if your dog knows the key signals like “drop him”, “leave him”, “wait” and “down/down”. Make sure you practice lines with your dog daily.