Parents, is your family about to grow, or has it grown recently? If your family include a baby, infant or child…and a dog, you have some unique challenges when it comes to raising everyone peaceably and happily together. Thanks for stopping by! I’d really like to help. As a Family Paws Parent Educator, I can help you anticipate, prepare and establish practical and positive strategies for adapting to these changes. Below are more details on ways I can be with you at those important milestones.
Supporting Your Family As You Transition To Life With A Baby AND A Dog
Do you have a baby on the way? First of all, congratulations…what an exciting time! I am so glad that you are here. If you also share your home and your heart with a dog, you may or may not already be seeing how the transition is changing your day-to-day interactions, expectations and relationship with your pet. Life is going to look very different from the eyes of your furry companion.
I’d like to help and support all of you as you go through this journey together. Among what we’ll cover will include:
1. Your dog’s body language and potential stressors.
2. The potential impact of the changing environment on your dog.
3. How to create management and safety strategies.
4. How to help your dog get your dog’s enrichment needs met.
5. Useful and important dog training for your new lifestyle.
6. Planning for your baby’s homecoming.
By beginning to prepare now, you will be more confident and less stressed.
Supporting Your Family As You Transition To Life With A Toddler And A Dog
Babies grow and change quickly. Your dog may have gotten used to life with a baby but soon your baby will be sitting, crawling, grabbing, standing. There will be new pieces of equipment in your environment, new sounds, new unpredictability.
“What is that strange creature and why is it getting into my space?,” your dog may ask.
“Do I play with it or run away from it?”
“Woah, that colorful, moving object on the floor looks like it may be fun to tug.”
This can lead to all of you – including your dog – to feel stressed. Together, we can find strategies individualized to you to include your dog while preventing conflicts and miscommunication…and ultimately preventing a growl, nip, or bite.
“Lisa has a deep understanding of dogs and provides practical tips that truly changed our relationship with our dog. Before meeting with Lisa, having a dog was a huge source of stress for me and my husband. I never felt like I was doing enough for our five year old Australian Shepherd, and didn’t know exactly what she needed. Lisa was able to educate us on what our dog needs, how to read her body language, and how to make simple changes to better meet our dog’s needs. These changes fit into our lifestyle and we saw improvements in our dog’s behavior within the first week. We now enjoy our dog so much more. We are also expecting our first child, and Lisa gave us several ways to make this transition easier for our dog AND for us. I highly recommend Lisa to anyone who has a furry friend!”
~ Laura Marklein
My Dog, My Best Buddy – Education To Support A Stronger Relationship Between Your Dog And Your Child (or Children)
Growing up, my best friend was our family dog. She was my confidant, someone who was always there for me. I know how important your dog can be in the eyes of your kids. As a professional trainer, I’ve also gone into so many homes where I have seen the family dog try to avoid kids, or chase or steal from the kids. After all, kids can be loud and fast and unpredictable. I’ve gotten calls from families with real safety concerns. Often parents do not realize there is a problem until something happens.
I’d like to help all of you have the best possible relationship with your dog. This is more than simply training your dog. This is about teaching you (and your kids if they are old enough):
1. How to be Dog Aware including body language to recognize
2. How to manage and supervise
3. What behaviors to encourage in your kids
4. What behaviors to train your dog
In other words, helping EVERYONE to get their needs met with safety and fun included.
For kids 6 years old and older, I offer my My Dog, My Best Buddy class just for them! As a private lesson, I will teach your child how to get your dog to listen, how to be a safe and fun dog playmate, and how to be a positive dog teacher and role model. Does your child have friends you would like to include? Let’s talk about that!
I also offer these classes in a group setting. When I have one upcoming, it will be posted on my Classes page.