It’s a moment that often happens quickly. Your dog walks over, leans in, and gives the baby a big lick across the face. Some parents laugh. Others panic. So what’s the right response?

When a new baby arrives, many parents suddenly start thinking about parts of the house that used to feel completely ordinary. The nursery becomes one of those spaces. And a common question comes up quickly: Should my dog be allowed in the baby’s room?

Spend time around toddlers and you start to notice something strange. Parents everywhere are seemingly speaking in the exact same way: “Come on…”; “Do you want to put your shoes on?”; “Should we go brush our teeth?”; “Let’s gooo.”

There’s a moment that happens at playgrounds everywhere. A toddler finds something interesting — a truck, a shovel, a bucket. They pick it up. They start exploring it. Another child walks over. And almost immediately, the parent steps in: “I think the other child wants to play too. You should share.”

A new baby has just come home. Your world has completely changed. You’re exhausted, protective, and trying to do everything right. Then it happens. Your dog suddenly lets out a growl near the baby.