Furthering my passion for helping to strengthen the relationship between families and their dog, a few years ago, I pursued and graduated from a 13-week program to become a licensed Family Paws parent educator. A new baby, toddler or young child can be stressful for the family dog. Family Paws helps parents of infants and toddlers anticipate, prepare and establish guidelines that lead to increased safety and decreased stress for all family members. Why did I become a dog trainer, and why did I pursue the Family Paws license? Family Paws featured me in their social media with this interview. Read it below. [Read more…] about A Family Paws Interview: Why I Became A Dog Trainer
parenting tips
Should A Child Lay On A Sleeping Dog?
It is so easy to find photos and videos of kids and dogs like this online. A young child showing affection to her dog by laying on top of her family dog while he is sleeping. In this image, it even looks like it may have been posed. In other words, someone (perhaps a parent or another trusted adult role model) asked the little girl to do this for the sake of an image. Let’s delve into this topic – should a child lay on a sleeping dog? [Read more…] about Should A Child Lay On A Sleeping Dog?
Parents, Please Teach Kids, Do Not Hug Your Family Dog
Often kids mean well with their interactions with your dog (or other dogs) but they can do things – like hugging – that can cause dogs to feel uncomfortable. A lesson for parents of a kids and a dog: please teach your children this important relationship building lesson – DO NOT HUG YOUR FAMILY DOG. It is not only about dog bite prevention, but also about helping to strengthen your dog’s relationship with your children in the long term. [Read more…] about Parents, Please Teach Kids, Do Not Hug Your Family Dog
Parents: You Are Always Modeling Behavior
Parents, it is important that you remember, you are ALWAYS modeling behavior for your child to learn. The way that your child sees you behaving around others is very likely to be repeated. When you do things to or around your dog (or other non-human animal), your son or daughter may end up doing that too. To help your child be someone who your dog will want to spend time around, model and teach your child instead what he/she can do that will give your dog reason to feel comfortable, safe and happy. (Please keep reading to learn how you can see that your dog is or is not feeling that way.) [Read more…] about Parents: You Are Always Modeling Behavior