I love my dog, and she knows it. I cuddle with her every morning before I get up. I talk to her. I hug her when I get home.  But what do you do if your partner isn’t a pet person, or is jealous of the affection you bestow upon your pet?

Fortunately, I haven’t had this problem. But msnbc.com explains that it can be difficult for people who don’t have a pet to understand the human-animal bond. This can lead to tension and jealousy in the relationship.  However, the tension doesn’t always come from your partner. You dog can get jealous, too. Dogs will nudge, jump, paw and even growl if they are feeling you are giving too much attention to your partner, and not enough to them.  It’s possible they’ll even show aggression toward your partner.

This can be a difficult transition if your pet is used to having your undivided attention or being the one who sleeps next to you in the bed. So what’s a dog mom in this situation to do?

Just as a single mom should take caution when introducing a new boyfriend to their child, take similar caution when introducing your pet to your new partner.  Introduce them on neutral ground. Give your dog a chance to get to know your new beau before letting him into the house. Animal behaviorist Sophia Yin recommends tethering your dog to your new partner, forcing them to be attached at the hip for some time (I don’t think I’d recommend this technique to single moms, though). Your partner should pet, talk to, and reward your dog throughout the day. Your dog will learn that this new person can be a giver of good things too (just like mom), but they have to spend time with that person to get those rewards.

Personally, I’d suggest easing both your partner and your pet into each others lives. Schedule dates with the three of you on neutral territory. Let your partner prepare a meal for your dog or take your dog for a walk. If your partner is feeling jealous that your pup is getting all the cuddle action in the morning, explain why your pet is such an important part of your life and allow your partner to participate in the activities you enjoy with your pet. If your partner can’t understand or at least respect that bond, maybe he’s not the right guy for you or your dog.