Living together: between animals, and between pets and children

My dog and my cat don't get along. How do I get two dogs to live together? My dog growls at my child. Having several animals, or a dog or cat and a child, under the same roof doesn't always go smoothly:

• Between animals in the household: the arrival of a new animal, competition for resources (food, beds, toys, litter boxes) or simply differences in temperament can create tension, whether between two dogs, two cats, or a dog and a cat. This does not mean living together is impossible: it is often an adjustment period that can be worked on.
• Between the animal and the child: before it comes to a bite or a scratch, a dog or cat expresses its discomfort through a series of escalating signals (freezing, turning away, yawning or hissing, growling). Children don't always know how to recognize them, which can create risky situations, even with a normally calm animal.

A good understanding of everyone's needs, a few adjustments to daily life and learning mutual respect make it possible, in the vast majority of cases, to restore a lasting balance and a peaceful household between your animals, or between your pet and your child.