Got a kid? Like dogs? Don't assume the two will go together like peanut butter and jelly. When it comes to kids and canines, it takes some forethought to make sure they will "play nice."

Before Baby Comes (Dog Owners)

• Stop playing with dog toys in the house. Nipped fingers are ok for you, not so sweet for Junior.


• Bring an article of clothing inside for Fido to sniff before bringing your bouncing baby inside.


• Ignore the heck out of your pampered pet so he won't sulk when his usurper arrives (only kind of kidding).

After Baby Arrives (Dog Owners and Dog Visitors)

• First, the obvious: Never leave baby alone with Rover and always have baby positioned higher than the dog (for dominance reasons).


• Be sure to take good care of Spot even if you are fried from all-night feeding sessions (hire a dogwalker or beg a friend to skip the lasagna and play with pooch instead).


• Be conscious of pack hierarchy and make sure that a) you're the alpha and b) any aggressive signs are immediately addressed (hire an animal behaviorist if you need to).

When You're Out And About (Everyone Who Comes Close to A Dog)

• Don't let your kid look a dog right in the eyes. It's a canine sign of aggression. (Look, Junior! A spaceship! will work to distract those eyes elsewhere.)


• Be sure your kid doesn't mess with a dog's most treasured possessions (toys, food/treats/dishes, bed, and even their beloved humans if the dog thinks they need protecting).


• Never allow your child to touch either a dog's face (around the eyes/mouth) or approach it from behind; such advances may elicit snapping and defensive behavior.


• Always ask a dog's owner if their pet is child-friendly: "May we pat your dog, please?"


• Puppies are awfully cute but they have needle-sharp milk teeth and scratchy little claws; pick your child up around young dogs.


• Use your knee to keep jumping dogs away from your child if you're holding her up; aim your knee for the chest, say DOWN! and loudly ask the owner to control their dog.


• Teach your child that there are separate spaces for pets and children. If you have a dog, don't bring it to the playground (plenty of people are afraid of dogs - it's not the place to introduce the two camps) and vice versa - if you have children, don't let them race all around the dog park and think that pet owners are going to consider your child's safety (Rover has so very few places to run off-leash, folks...).

All that said, having kids and dogs coexisting happily side by side is one of the most rewarding things I have ever witnessed. My toddler has indulged his avid obsession with all things BALL-related by spending hours playing fetch with our trusty companion. His big sister learned how to stand by pulling herself up via the jowls of that everlastingly patient Labrador Retriever. In fact, when she was two, if you asked her if she was still a baby? She'd respond thoroughly: "Yes. Little bit baby, little bit big girl, and little bit Lab!"