The key to a successful introduction is to go slow. The pet you are adopting or the baby you are bringing home to meet the existing dog is going to be with you for a very long time. You don't need to have everyone be best friends immediately. In fact, the less you push for harmony, the less likely it will be to elude you. Harmony comes from a slow, organized, and orchestrated introduction that involves giving each party space and time to get to know one another.

Human siblings need to be prepared for the arrival of a new family member, and dogs are no different. If you are bringing home a new baby from the hospital, bring home a blanket that has the baby's scent on it to give the dog a heads up that a new member of the family will be joining you soon. Recognizing the scent mixed with your scent will often help the dog adjust to the new member of the pack with less anxiety and stress.

How much training and socialization the dog has had and how much exercise he gets after the baby comes all contribute to the family's adjustment once the baby comes home. Here are some tips for helping your dog accept your new baby as a pack member:

• Provide lots of exercise for the dog during the first several months. Hire someone to walk or play with your dog or enlist the services of a reputable doggie day care.

• Pay attention to the schedule. If you don't have one, put a flexible schedule in place before the baby comes.

• Work on greeting people without jumping (teach Sit/Stay instead) before you have the baby so that your dog can be part of the visiting company.

• Teach your dog to like being alone in his crate or in a separate room so you have options during stressful times.

• Never leave a dog alone with a baby even if the baby is strapped into a carrier or other baby minder. Accidents happen. Dogs are curious, and babies make very strange and often scary noises that need to be investigated.

• Teach your dog to walk with a stroller so that he can accompany you on your walks around the neighborhood.

• Set up the nursery and put together all the baby equipment long before the baby comes home. This will help the dog adjust to all the new stuff before the baby comes.

• Keep some delicious treats in a container near where you change and feed the baby. Before you start to feed or change, give one to the dog so he begins to associate your giving your full attention to the baby as a good thing.

• Use your crate, gates, and pens. Lots of dogs, even older ones, deal with stress by chewing their way through the house.

If you are concerned that your dog will have trouble adjusting, you may want to consult a professional dog trainer.