Anyone who knows me knows I love babies and dogs. Put them together and I am grinning from ear to ear. I once had a co worker that said if Jessica is "awe-ing" it is for one of two reasons, a baby or a puppy, well, that is for sure a very true statement.
Being a new parent is stressful enough without having to worry about your first baby (your pet) getting along with your new baby (the human one). So, in order to help you make this transition easier, here is a great resource http://www.dogmanners.com/Yournew.htm I like how she gives you a guide for what to do before baby and after baby is born.
A special note from http://www.newbirthing.com/ if you are planning to labor at home or even have your baby at home, please think about how you pet will be feeling about what is happening to you. I have a 12 year old border collie "Jiggs" who is the light of my life. He is very protective of me and also very sensitive. The type of animal that feels human emotions. Jiggs would need someone to be responsible for him, even if he was kept at home. That was if it got a bit intense he have someone to take him out for a walk or play ball. Since animals can't voice their feelings in words they do so in other ways, from accidents on the floor to eating my brand new Adidas shoe's laces ( a story for another day). As a woman who is in labor, if there is back ground, or even foreground, conflict or issues labor can stall or even regress, until that issue is fixed, removed etc. This is 100% avoidable just by having the right people in the right spots.
~Happy Birthing,
Jessica
