A new family member in the home: baby, puppy, kitten or adopted pet

My dog has been jealous since the baby was born. How do I prepare my dog for a new puppy? My cat can't stand the new pet. The arrival of a new member of the household — whether a baby, a puppy, a kitten or another animal — always unsettles your dog's or cat's routine a little.

• Primary hyper-attachment: some dogs and cats have never really learned to be alone, from a very young age. A new arrival in the family can then revive or intensify this dependence, because the animal's usual attention and landmarks are changing.
• The arrival of a baby: a change in organization, rhythm and attention that calls for preparation beforehand, so that your dog or cat goes through this transition calmly, without feeling left out.
• The arrival of a new animal: puppy, kitten or adopted adult — each introduction has its own rules to limit tension and encourage peaceful cohabitation from the very first days.

In every case, your dog or cat is not trying to be difficult or jealous: it is going through a period of adjustment to a major change in its environment, and needs clear landmarks to regain its peace of mind.

Behavioral support beforehand, or as soon as the first signs of difficulty appear, generally makes it possible to anticipate these tensions and make the new member's arrival easier for the whole household.