Pooch Parenting

Worrying about how your dog will respond to your new baby might keep you up at night. Lots of people who are pregnant, adopting or using a surrogate experience the same thing. Fortunately for you, there are specialists, like me, who can help you to prepare your dog for new baby ahead of time. 

In my new free guide, 5 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Dog for New Baby, I share simple "recipes" to help you ensure a safe and happy transition for your growing family. Download the guide here. 

5 Essential steps to prepare your dog for new baby

1. Use positive reinforcement training
2. Set up a safe Haven for your dog
3. Get your dog familiar with baby sounds and equipment
4. Shift your dog's routines to help them be more flexible
5. Come up with various supervision and management strategies

Other supportive resources for parents with dogs

Listen to my limited series podcast, Parenting Kids and Dogs 101 here, on my website, or on your favorite podcast player.

It's only natural for questions about our kids and dogs to arise from time to time, especially as our babies grow up and our dogs mature. And if I'm being honest, it's not really worth asking for free advice from friends or online because you can't rely on the accuracy of the feedback you are getting. If you'd like to learn more about The Pooch Parenting Society, where I offer practical life and science-based tips and strategies, ongoing support and a safe place to share, head on over to www.safekidsanddogs.com. From one parent to another, I see you and I promise, you're not alone.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

What if my dog doesn’t like my baby? What if my dog accidentally hurts my kids? What if my kids accidentally hurt our dog? When should we add a puppy to our family? Am I a horrible person if I feel like it’s too hard to parent kids and dogs at the same time?

If you’re a dog mom who’s having a baby soon, who’s worrying about how your dog responds to your newly mobile toddler, who’s considering adding another dog or child to your family, or who’s wondering how to tame the chaos that comes from living with kids and dogs at the same time, this is the podcast for you.

Parenting Kids and Dogs 101 is a limited series podcast packed with actionable tips on how to make living with kids and dogs safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable. Whether you are an experienced dog mom who is new to parenting or you are an experienced parent who is new to dogs, this podcast will offer you tried and true strategies that will help all of your family members (dogs included, of course) to have the relationship you always dreamed of. Hosted by certified professional dog trainer, mom and former teacher Michelle Stern, each episode will answer questions that keep worried parents up at night.

For some of my best resources and to start the process of making your life with kids and dogs less stressful, download the free workbook that accompanies this podcast series.

Ongoing support for parents with dogs

It's only natural for questions about our kids and dogs to arise from time to time, especially as our babies grow up and our dogs mature. And if I'm being honest, it's not really worth asking for free advice from friends or online because you can't rely on the accuracy of the feedback you are getting. If you'd like to learn more about The Pooch Parenting Society, where I offer practical life and science-based tips and strategies, ongoing support and a safe place to share, head on over to www.safekidsanddogs.com. From one parent to another, I see you and I promise, you're not alone.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In this episode, I want to normalize the BIG worries that expecting parents with dogs often have about integrating their fur babies with their newborns. Having a growing family leads to HUGE feelings...for all family members, dogs included. It's a mistake to assume that dogs will "get used to it" without adequate preparation ahead of time. Unless parents get empathetic, supportive advice about how to help their dogs with this giant transition, expecting families face unnecessary stress, fear, and anxiety.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In today's episode I'm talking with Mary Peterson Cook about RV travel and RV life on the road with kids and dogs. As summer winds down, you might be hitting the road for one last adventure before school begins. RV travel is a fantastic option for families with kids and dogs, but there are some safety issues that you should know about ahead of time. So whether you need to hear this now or before a summer adventure next year, don't miss this engaging discussion.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In today's episode I'm going out on a limb here to make a grand statement about THE Biggest mistake dog moms make before adding a baby to their family. Listen to the episode to find out what it is...

The episode includes these topics:

• we can't predict how our dog will feel once baby arrives if they live in a child free home now
• you have not seen how your dog behaves when living full time with a baby, toddler or child in the house
• you may not know how your dog will respond to receiving a LOT less attention than they do now
• the dog might be frustrated at an ever changing schedule
• the dog might become destructive out of boredom from lack of physical or mental stimulation while you focus on the new baby 
• My upcoming FREE Bootcamp: Preventing Dog Jealousy - Pre-Baby Bootcamp in June

If you are expecting or adopting a baby and your dog was your "first baby," then this episode is for you. I'm thrilled to announce that I'm offering a free bootcamp on Preventing Dog Jealousy: Pre-baby Bootcamp.

In this bootcamp, we will talk about jealousy in dogs, what it looks like, and more importantly, how to prevent it. I know that bringing a new baby into the family can be stressful, especially when you have a furry friend who's used to being the center of attention. That's why I want to help you prepare your dog for the arrival of your new baby.

The bootcamp is completely free and will cover a variety of topics you need to know to prevent dog jealousy. We'll discuss how to introduce your dog to your baby, how to create a safe and comfortable environment for your dog, and how to manage jealousy if it arises. You'll also get a chance to ask any questions you may have about your specific situation.

The bootcamp is perfect for anyone who wants to ensure a smooth transition for their dog when the baby arrives. Whether you're a first-time parent or you're adding another baby to your family, this bootcamp is for you. You'll learn practical tips and strategies that you can start implementing right away.

Sign Up for the FREE Bootcamp by visiting:  https://poochparenting.net/jealousy/.
It's that easy.

And if you're listening to this episode after the bootcamp has ended, don't worry. You can still visit the poochparenting.net website to access a variety of other resources.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In episode 72 of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I share brief stories of 4 recent clients so you can see examples of the types of people who choose to work with a dog and child specialist.

Lots of dog trainers are generalists who have skills that can help you a little bit with a lot of challenging situations.

But if you have a specific challenge, such as living with kids and dogs at the same time, a generalist might not be the answer.

Instead, seeing a dog and child specialist is the way to go.

You are familiar with using specialists. If you had a baby, you had an OB. If you needed support with breastfeeding, you worked with a lactation consultant. If your child had a tongue tie, you saw a specialized doctor to release it.

So why wouldn't you want to work with a specialist if you wanted to prepare your dog for new baby or if your dog growled at your toddler. Or maybe you want to add the "right fit dog" to your family with kids.

Can you relate? If so, I'm here for you.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I'm discuss a wonderful shift that's taking place in the dog training and behavior industry. It's called Family Dog Mediation and I learned about it from Kim Brophey, an applied ethologist and one of my colleagues. Her revolutionary LEGS model introduces us to the basic foundational system of elements that direct the behavior of every single animal on earth (including us, of course) and explains what it means for our family dogs. This episode dives into this approach of working with families living with kids and dogs at the same time, and offers some perspective on the contributing factors to the behavior and feelings of each member of the household, dog included. 

Topics in this episode include:

• factors that impact behavior of parents, kids, and dogs
• how normal it is for parents to be overwhelmed raising kids and dogs together
• whether or not training is the best way to address dog behavior challenges
• the LEGS model for behavior: learning, environment, genetics and self
• Family Dog Mediation and how it helps us to manage our expectations of our dogs
• If you are a dog professional and want to take Kim's amazing Family Dog Mediation Professional Course, you can find it here.
• If you are a family with a dog and want to learn more about dogs and dog behavior, Kim has a special course for you too called The Dog's Truth.

Realistic Expectations for Parents with Kids and Dogs

You love your dog. Of course you do. But if you’re being honest, sometimes they can be difficult to live with. Perhaps they bark too much, are too clingy, growl at your toddler or hate being separated from all of their family members, even for a few minutes. And let’s face it – the stakes are high when you are raising kids and dogs together. You can’t wait until something dangerous happens before you seek help – you need support as soon as you see even a single red flag.

It’s easy to hope for a quick fix and to “train” the annoying behavior away. But I’ll be totally honest with you (you can expect that from me), and say that sometimes training isn’t all that it’s cut out to be. Yes, I’m a dog trainer and I’m telling you that training isn’t always the answer. Ok – so what is?

Before you can resolve any of the challenging issues you might be facing with your dog, you need to understand all of the contributing factors to their behavior. But it actually goes deeper than that. We need to consider the contributing factors to YOUR behavior too! That's right - since your dog doesn't live in a bubble, it's crucial that we evaluate the whole picture, especially how you and your family members interact with the dog. And that’s where my specialized role as a Licensed Family Dog Mediator comes in.

Want some support to help you navigate your family and dog dynamics? I've got you.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In today's episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, we hear a question from a concerned mom whose dog snapped at her toddler and knocked him down. She says, "I'm scared" and I don't know what to do. She is worried that she would be crushed to rehome him, but that she also doesn't want to live in fear of her child getting hurt. 

Topics on this episode include:

• why dogs growl and snap
• getting curious about the circumstances surrounding dog behavior we don't like
• using management when living with toddlers and dogs
• how to prevent the dog from feeling uncomfortable
• my favorite pen for dogs (or kids!): Toddleroo Play Yard
• training that does not rely on force, fear or pain
• working with anxious dogs and training strategies that work for all dogs
• reach out if you have your own question that you'd like me to consider for a future episode

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In this episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, we tackle the common dilemma of where to place your puppy's crate for optimal crate training. While many sources recommend placing the crate in the family room or the busiest area of the house, this may not always be the best choice for every family and every puppy. We explore the pros and cons of different crate placement options for families with kids and provide practical tips to help you find the perfect spot for your furry friend. If you're dealing with a curious puppy and a busy toddler , we've got you covered. Listen to this episode to learn how to balance your puppy's comfort and training needs!

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.

In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I am partnering with my friend Corinne of The Doodle Pro™. She shares a question with me from one of the members from The Doodle Pro's Honor Society about a maltipoo who is growling at their 7 year old daughter. Join us as we dive into doodle dog behavior, how to read body language, and what to do about growling.

Topics on this episode include:

• what is a doodle
• dog body language
• why dog's growl
• how to prevent dog growling
• consent in dogs
• when dogs growl at kids
• how to prevent dogs from feeling unsafe around kids
• The ABC's of Growling - How to Understand and Respond to Your Dog 

Do you have a question you'd like me to answer on the Pooch Parenting Podcast?

I love to answer listener questions on the podcast. If you'd like your question answered, please record it (like a voicemail!) here. I'll do my best to include it in a future episode.

Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTube for FREE.