A conversation and concern that regularly takes place in homes all across the country today is … "I am going to have a baby. I sure hope Duke likes him. How can I ensure that problems will not occur?"

The best way to begin is for you to go through your regular routine and time with Duke while you are pregnant. Do not feel bad for him or worry. After all, Duke was well aware that you were expecting even before you, yourself, knew it. Dogs know the pregnancy hormone smell – So do NOT waste your time trying to explain to Duke something that has already explained itself!

Besides, consider dog instinctive behavior. Pack members are overjoyed about the birth of new ones into the pack. You just need to follow "pack rules" yourself.

Continue walking and playing with Duke as much as it is safe for one in your delicate condition, and enlist help from your husband or others to keep him properly exercised and mentally challenged. That is important for all dogs, regardless of family circumstances.

From time to time, let Duke in to the baby's room to sniff around – supervised only. Allow him to smell, but not to touch, any item that will be the baby's. You may invite him in there with you while you set things up or clean, and may allow him to lie down by the crib for comfort and familiarity -- but ONLY when you are supervising and he is respectful. If he does mouth or grab something, though, correct him promptly and "claim it back."

"Claim it back," you ask? This is done by having Duke sit or lie down and placing the object near him – correcting him by touch if he makes a move for the item. Place yourself between the stolen merchandise and Duke. Maintain eye contact the whole time, being attentive to keeping your head and shoulders up and back with confidence throughout this process. Position of your feet? They should be about halfway between a military "Atten-hut!" and "At ease." This ensures that Duke gets a clear message that the baby and all of its things are to be respected. You know Duke has surrendered when he turns away or moves away.

This will not cause jealousy, as some might fear. On the contrary, letting Duke do as he pleases from the start may well create competition in his mind against the infant. This can become very dangerous, a potential source of aggression dog dominance and dog bites.

Left to decide how to handle things himself according to dog instinctive behavior, your dog could also think he is being helpful by trying to pick the baby up by the scruff of its neck. You do not want that! If you do this right, the dog will come to get YOU for help and will be a good, additional "baby monitor."

If Duke goes into the infant's room unsupervised before the baby is born, command him right OUT, then make him sit or lie down. Sitting or lying down is a form of surrender which in Duke's language means: "Respect the baby's space!" (If he goes in uninvited after the baby is born, then make him submit right where he is, where he goofed - sit or lie down - and then drive him out.) This also lets the baby grow up feeling like the dominant one in this relationship, which is as it should be.

You can and should have a happy and safe homecoming with your new bundle of joy. It all boils down to leadership, attitude, and respect. Have you established yourself as the "pack leader" with control and respect from your dog? Have you exercised common sense in the process of introducing the dog to the baby's room, the baby's things, and the baby himself? Have you followed these guidelines? Have you ensured that your dog continues to have mental and physical "challenges" through regular, focused exercise, to avoid boredom and pent-up energy that can cause other problems?

If you do these simple things, then you do not need to experience the common hysteria surrounding children and dogs, nor fear that your beloved Duke will suddenly turn into a tyrannical terror with aggressive dog behavior and bite your precious baby! If your dog expresses dog dominance and dog aggression issues now, or is possessive of you, consult a professional IMMEDIATELY and get those corrected prior to the baby's birth and homecoming. Be smart, be safe, and be happy!