Pooch Parenting
The Pooch Parenting Podcast is a podcast for parents with dogs. Living with kids and dogs at the same time can feel like a circus - I know because I'm a mom and have lived it too. Join us as we answer listener questions and interview a variety of parenting and dog experts and parents to discuss topics that will make parenting with dogs easier, safer and less chaotic. If you enjoy these episodes or feel like they have helped your family, please subscribe, leave a review or tell a friend. xo Michelle
Episodes
15. When is the right time to get a new puppy
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. Don't forget to grab the accompanying workbook at https://poochparenting.net/podcastworkbook/When is the right time to get a puppy?Make an honest assessment of your schedule and life. Here are some questions you should consider.It's often difficult to raise a puppy alongs
14. How to Choose a Family Dog
Overview - How to Choose a Dog Focus on the individual dog more than a specific breedPick a friendly, confident dog who approaches your kids happily. Listen to my Pooch Parenting Podcast episode about how to pick a shelter dog for families with kids.See if you can foster-to-adopt or do a trial adoption. This option allows you to live with a dog for a few weeks to see if you are a good fit.Be aware
13. How to Handle Dog Jealousy
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
12. Tips for Safe Playtime for Dogs and Kids
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
11. Helping Dogs Adjust to Routines with Kids
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I’m your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I’m not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I’m a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you’ll feel like I’m chatting with you, one parent to another, about life with kids and dogs, a
10. Keeping Your Dog Happy After the Arrival of New Baby
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
9. When Dogs Don't Want to Share with Kids: Managing Resource Guarding
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
8. The First Hello - Safely Introducing Dog and New Baby
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
7. What Should I do if My Child Accidentally Hurts or Provokes our Dog?
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
6. Does Gentle Parenting Work for Both Kids and Dogs
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
5. Best Practices for Supervising Kids and Dogs
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
4. How to Prevent Your Dog from Growling at Your Kids
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
3. Common Signs Your Dog is Stressed Around Children
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
2. I'm Overwhelmed Raising Kids and Dogs Together - Is this Normal?
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
1. 5 Mistakes Most Parents with Dogs Make
Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about l
Special Announcement: Limited Edition Series - Parenting Kids and Dogs 101
In the coming weeks, I'll be releasing a special limited series called Parenting Kids and Dogs 101. Each of the 15 episodes covers one of the top questions parents (or prospective parents) of kids and dogs have asked me over the years.I hope you'll subscribe and join me for the whole series, and don't forget to grab the accompanying workbook at https://poochparenting.net/podcastwork
91. Preparing Your Velcro Dog For New Baby
If you’re pregnant and have a velcro dog who follows you everywhere, panics when you leave the room, or constantly needs to be touching you, you’re not alone. Many dogs form deep attachments to their pregnant owner, but this can become a challenge once the baby arrives. After all, you’ll need to sleep, feed, and care for your newborn without a dog glued to your side.In today’s episode, we’ll talk
90. Adopting an Infant? 3 Dog Prep Steps You Can’t Skip
Adopting an infant is a life-changing event, and when it happens suddenly, there’s little time to prepare—especially for your dog. If you’re a parent bringing home a baby through adoption, you might be wondering: How will my dog react? What can I do right away to make this transition easier? Today, I’m sharing the top three things you should do immediately to help your dog adjust to your growing f
89. The Splash Zone: Toddlers, Dogs, and Water Bowls
If you’re raising kids and dogs under the same roof, you know there’s never a dull moment—especially when your little one discovers the dog’s water bowl. While this might seem like harmless toddler curiosity, there are some safety concerns you’ll want to keep in mind, both for your child and your dog. In today’s episode, I'll discuss why kids are drawn to dog water bowls, the potential risks
88. Loving and Letting Go: Navigating Behavioral Euthanasia
In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I'm tackling one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching topics for dog-loving families: when to consider behavioral euthanasia for a dog with a significant bite history. This is a decision no parent ever wants to face, and it’s one filled with complex emotions, from love and guilt to grief and responsibility.As a dog behavior consultant who s
87. From Rough to Respectful: Teaching Kids to Handle Dogs Gently
In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, we’re diving into a topic that many parents face: what to do when your toddler or young child is too rough with the family dog.Maybe you’ve caught your little one pulling the dog’s tail, giving overly enthusiastic hugs, or even climbing on them like they’re a jungle gym. You love both your child and your dog, but you’re worried about how these intera
86. Dogs, Kids and Parties: Navigating Safety for All
Picture this: A parent is hosting a lively party. The house is full of guests, kids are running around, and the family dog is right in the middle of it all. It seems like a perfect celebration—until something goes terribly wrong. Amid the chaos, the dog, overwhelmed and unsupervised, bites a guest. What started as a joyful gathering has now turned into a stressful and regrettable situation.In this
85. My Top Holiday Gift Pick for Kids Living with Dogs
I'm excited to share my holiday gift pick of the year for families with kids and dogs - Hide and Scent - The Ultimate Game of Hide and Seek for Dogs, Kids Edition. It's a fun and simple nose work game for dogs and children to play together. It offers dogs and kids a safe way to interact that doesn't require physical contact - a huge win for dogs who may be shy, fearful or even those
84. Separation is Not the Same as Isolation when Managing Kids and Dogs
A lot of my clients seem to be very uncomfortable with the idea of separating their dog and child for safety reasons. But I recently had an epiphany - they all assumed that separation was the same as isolation. And it's not.Using management strategies, such as using a pen to cordon off an area for a child to play, provide separation between the dog and child. But neither the dog or child is i
83. Considerations for a One Bite Policy for Family Dogs
I recently heard from a family whose rescue dog bit their young child. They told me that they have a "one bite policy" with pet dogs and that now the dog needs to go. While I completely understand their rule and their decision, I like to encourage families to consider the WHOLE situation, both from the human perspective and from the dog's perspective. Dog bites are awful, but they
82. What in-home birth workers need to know about dog and baby safety
If you are a birth worker, such as a doula, midwife, lactation consultant or night nurse, who sees clients in their own homes, there is a very good chance that you will interact with family pets. Because families are hiring you to help them ease their transition into new parenthood, their pets (dogs, in particular) will play a large part into the new family dynamic. And let's be honest - they
81. Should You Bring Your Kids to the Dog Park
Moms are often very busy, so it's understandable that they might try to do family outings that meet the needs of their kids and dogs at the same time. But unfortunately, dog parks are not a safe place to bring children. So, if the question ever enters your mind, "should I bring the kids with me to the dog park?", please opt out and consider what else might be an appropriate outing.M
80. Should Your Bring Home the Hospital Baby Blanket for Your Dog To Sniff
The single most prevalent piece of dog and newborn advice that I see on social media is for people to bring home the hospital baby blanket for your dog to sniff before baby comes home. I wanted to bust this myth and to share how at the very best, this misguided advice could be neutral...and at the worst, it could even be dangerous.Why people advise to bring home the hospital baby blanket for your
79. Dog Safety with Toddlers Who Don't Stay in Bed at Night
If your toddler is a little Jack-in-the-box and gets out of bed several times a night, you are not alone. But if you have a dog, we need to consider how to prevent interactions between your toddler and pup in the middle of the night when you aren't supervising. Why do toddlers get out of bed at night?They are going through a developmental shift which interrupts their sleep.They need to be com
78. Should you let your dog lick your baby?
If you have ever wondered if your dog should be licking your baby in the face or what to do about it, this is the episode for you. I discuss what dog licks might mean, why it might not be such a good idea, and why bringing in a dog expert might help you to get more clarity.Why do dogs lick babies?Babies taste good to dogs. They might taste like milk or even spit up. Yum!Dogs are curious and like t
77. 5 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Dog for New Baby
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&quo
76. Introducing the Parenting Kids and Dogs 101 Limited Series Podcast
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 addin
75. Normalizing Worries of Expecting Parents with Dogs
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 a
74. RV Travel with Kids and Dogs
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 o
73. The Biggest Mistake Dog Moms Make Before Adding a Baby to the Family
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 nowyou have not seen how your dog behaves when living full ti
72. Who Uses a Dog and Child Specialist (instead of a general dog trainer)?
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 g
71. What is Family Dog Mediation and How Can It Help Parents with Dogs
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
70. My Dog Snapped At My Toddler and I'm Scared
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 gr
69. Crate Training Tips for Families with Toddlers and Puppies
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 w
68. Decoding Doodle Behavior: What to do When Your Pup Growls At Your Kids
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 in
67. What Baby Books Don't Teach You (When the Dog Was There First)
In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I'm responding to a concern faced by one of my students. She signed up for my Parenting Toddlers and Dogs online class after her dog growled at her toddler. Most baby books don't prepare parents for incidents like these, and it's often quite shocking when your "first baby" (your dog!) growls at your child! Luckily, yo
66. Bite Me - Toddler Edition. What Went Wrong?
In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I'm responding to two listener questions. One is from a parent and the other is from a dog training professional. Both inquire about 3-year old children who were bitten by their family dogs in the face. I discuss what could have contributed to this behavior and how to prevent it in the future. I also talk about some mindset shifts famili
65. Who Should Pick Your Next Family Dog?
I have a series of posts on my Pooch Parenting Facebook page that all discuss different "Unpopular Opinions" related to dogs and children. My most recent post in the series generated some really interesting conversations about where people actually get their dogs and who should influence which dog a family selects. New dog topics on this episode include:different ways that people get new
64. How to Make Halloween Less Scary for Your Dog
This week's podcast episode is an excerpt from a live conversation that I had with a panel of Licensed Family Dog Mediators and Family Dog Specialists. This lively discussion includes Justine, founder of The Family Dog, Jennifer, founder of Family Paws, and Debby, founder of KAD, Kids Around Dogs. We talk about different strategies about how to make Halloween less spooky for your family dog.H
63. Lovable Lucy Book Series about Dogs for Early Readers
In today's interview, I speak with Norma Roth, co-author of the Lovable Lucy book series for early readers. She and her daughter wrote this series together about life with their beloved dog, Lucy. Together, they share stories about dogs that are relatable to all children. The Lovable Lucy series promotes:problem solvingconfidence buildinginclusivitya sense of belonging and kindnesslanguage ac
62. Is My Dog a Racist - a Listener Question
In today's interview, I read an email from a listener. She asked, "Is my dog racist?"Topics we cover include:what is racismcan a dog be racistfactors that contribute to dog behaviorcultural differences that might impact how dogs feelshould you leave your dog home sometimeshow to expose your dog to new stimuliMichelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over
61. The Pros and Cons of Doodles as Family Dogs
In today's interview, I speak with Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro™. We discuss Doodles - the "breed" people love to hate.Corinne is the host of the highly rated and popular The Doodle Pro™ Podcast that has most recently ranked #3 on the genre's US. Apple chart. She has personally worked with hundreds of doodle mixes over thousands of visits in Colorado, where she founded and
60. Child Adoption in Dog Families
In today's interview, I speak with Dr. Kris Freeark, child psychologist, family therapist and adoption educator. We chat about setting up appropriate expectations for dog families who are adopting a child.Helping adoptive parents have realistic expectations around welcoming a new child (of whatever age) into the family, is critical to the family's success. Recognizing the adjustments inv
59. Parenting Expectations for Relatives about Dog & Child Interactions
In today's episode, I talk about parent expectations for relatives when it comes to dog and child interactions. My friend shared a dramatic incident with me that she saw online between a set of parents and grandparents. The woman asked, "Am I in the wrong if I ask my in-laws to keep their dog away from our toddler?" Family dynamics can be difficult, but it's important that we s
58. Rocket Recall with author Lisa Lyle Waggoner
In today's interview, I speak with Lisa Lyle Waggoner, author of The Original Rocket Recall. We chat about building strong relationships and recall with your dog.Having a dog who can be off leash and have a reliable recall is the holy grail of dog training. While it's something that many of us aspire to, it's not always safe. Sometimes a dog being off leash is dangerous because of t
57. Save Time and Money with a Subject Specific Dog Specialist
In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I talk about the importance of working with a specialist who will save time and money as you try to solve your dog related challenges. I'm currently raising a pair of orphaned dobermans and have been so grateful for the support I am getting from Puppy Culture. Similarly, when I needed to learn about aggressive behavior, I felt fortunate to be ab
56. Parenting Kids and Dogs from "Neutral" - Guest Mel Peirce
In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I talk with parenting coach, Mel Peirce. We talk about how to "parent from neutral." Our conversation covers topics that will set up parents and their dogs for success. We discuss parenting expectations, self-talk, and being proactive - all of which will help parents with their kids AND their dogs!Topics we discuss include...Patterns in par
55. Barn Hunt (and What Makes Sports Desirable to Dogs and Kids)
After trying barn hunt, a dog sport, for the first time with Pippin today, I got to thinking about comparisons between sports for dogs and sports for kids. Sometimes adults try to promote their own agenda when it comes to choosing family activities. But if I learned anything today, it was clear that the passion of the participant is one of the biggest factors we should consider when choosing a spo
54. When Dogs Bite Kids
This podcast episode was inspired by a Facebook post written by a mother who was in distress because her dog had bitten two of her children, resulting in visits to the emergency room. I discuss what happens when dogs bite kids, including:who to ask for adviceparenting challenges when living with kids and dogsfactors about dogs to considerfactors about kids to considerDog AdviceWho should you ask f
53. Free Online Summit - Sanity Savers for Parents with Dogs
It’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week - and I believe that when we know better, we do better.That’s why I’m so excited to be sharing the Sanity Savers for Parents with Dogs Online Summit with you!In just 40(ish) minutes, you'll get actionable ideas you can use to make living with kids and dogs safer, easier and less stressfulYou’ll hear tips from Parenting and Dog Experts on...Helping your d
52. Supporting Neurodiverse Families in Dog Adoption
The other day, a member of the Pooch Parenting Society sent me a Facebook post from a dog rescue organization about neurodivergent families and asked for my opinion. She has two special needs kids and had some pretty big feelings about it...and wanted to see if I felt the same. I do.The Facebook post that was shared with me was written by the founder of a dog rescue organization and explained the
51. Movie Review: Rescued By Ruby
In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I review the Netflix movie, Rescued By Ruby. It's a true story about a man who dreams of joining the K9 Search and Rescue team with the state police. "Typical" search and rescue dogs are too expensive, so he tries a more creative strategy to join the team. He adopts a difficult dog named Ruby from a local shelter and uses posit
50. The Risks of Getting Free Dog and Kid Advice
In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I talk about the risks of getting free advice when it comes to your family dog. Despite the best intentions, free advice can be misleading or even dangerous. In Facebook advice groups, for example, the blind is often leading the blind. Even though people can get some good advice from generous professionals who volunteer in these groups, those
49. Should Kids Be Allowed To Walk the Dog Alone?
In today's episode of The Pooch Parenting Podcast, I answer a question that I hear quite often: should kids be allowed to walk the dog alone? And if so, how old should kids be before they can walk the dog by themselves?We consider:Safety concerns for the child and dogOutcomes of the walkDevelopmental stage of child and dogMichelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support o
48. What are Windsprites and Why They Make Good Family Dogs
In today's episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I talk with Marie Silverberg about Windsprites and why they make good family dogs. I was unfamiliar with this breed, a blend of whippet, sheltie and borzoi, as recently as 2 years ago, but now they are on my radar, and are a breed I recommend for families with kids. In this episode, Marie and I talk about the origin of the breed, what their b
47. What would I do differently with my next puppy
Today's episode is dedicated to the members of The Pooch Parenting Society. Every week, they get the opportunity to ask me questions about parenting kids and dogs, or raising dogs in general. This question was so important that I thought I'd answer it by turning it into a podcast episode. She wanted to know what I would do differently when raising my next puppy.As a dog trainer, how to r
46. Can working with a dog trainer save your marriage?
While working with families who have kids and dogs, I have noticed that couples commonly experience strain, stress, and pressure on their relationship or marriage. Partners often disagree on the best strategy to raise their kids and their dogs, which can lead to resentment and lots of arguments. But by bringing in a compassionate dog trainer who is not on "anyone's side", couples ca
45. Should You Give Unsolicited Advice about Dogs and Kids?
People often ask me how they should respond when people send them photos of their "cute" dogs and babies having unsafe interactions together. Or maybe they see a dangerous interaction on social media and aren't sure if they should say something. Many people resent unsolicited advice and become defensive (or block you for trying to help them). In this episode, we discuss the pros and
44. The Chaos of Parenting while Raising Kids and Puppies Together
In today's episode, I talk with Connor Kingfisher and Marie Silverberg, founders of the Superpup Academy, an online puppy training program. We discuss loads of topics that relate to raising puppies, choosing the right puppy, and keeping parenting real so that families are successful together. Not only do we talk about dog and child safety, but we also discuss how a dog's "tolerance&
43. Easy Wins for Parents with Dogs from a Parenting Coach
In today's episode with Loyla Louvis, we talk about how parents can experience small wins so that they don't lose hope when things are hard. There are SO many aspects of parenting kids and dogs that are the same. Both benefit from predictability, which reduced stress for the whole family.Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of h
42. Dog Crates are NOT for Kids
Clients call me to help them feel more confident as they parent their kids and dogs. Parenting is the hardest thing most of us have done, and when you throw a puppy into the mix, it can feel even more chaotic than you could have imagined. When safety is a concern, parents feel an urgent need to get support. And sometimes, I get called to solve a family debate. In today's episode, I share how
41. Using Dogs to Teach Kids About Consent
I absolutely loved this interview with Sarah Sproule. She is an expert in helping parents to talk about sensitive topics, such as bodies, puberty and sex. Of course, this is not an episode about sex. But we DO talk about how dogs can be an excellent model to discuss consent with our kids. You will love it if you have ever struggled with discussing delicate topics with your kids.Find Sarah on Insta
40. When Your Toddler Yells at the Family Dog
Toddlers have big feelings and act in BIG ways. Sometimes they get frustrated and yell at our dogs, which can be difficult for many dogs to handle, and difficult for us to process as parents. By using a combination of modeling appropriate behavior, redirecting and playing developmentally appropriate games with our kids, we can often change their behavior.If you have a question that you'd like
39. Better Dog Behavior with Baby Steps
It can be overwhelming to parent kids and dogs at the same time. There are so many decisions to make that it can be easy to feel paralyzed and not take any action at all. Unfortunately, when kids and dogs live together, you can't afford not to step in and try to help your dog to behave better. The good news is that if you take baby steps, you will see more improvement than if you just wait
38. Simple Dog Training Tips to Help Dogs Stay Behind a Barrier
There is nothing like the fear that comes when a dog growls at your newborn. But the good news is that with a little preparation and practice, there are some easy strategies that can help your dog to relax on the other side of a barrier. Sometimes, as a parent, you just need to breathe a little easier. Management, training, and even outside support can make all of the difference in the world about
37. Should Kids Live in Homes with Dogs Who Have an Aggression History?
In this episode, I talk with Matt Beisner, the host of the television show Dog: Impossible on NatGeo Wild. Matt has two toddlers and lives with several dogs who displayed aggression in their younger days. We discuss whether or not kids can safely live in homes with dogs who have displayed aggressive behaviors in the past.In this episode…There are no bad dogs, only bad matchesFlexibility is KEY in
36. Understanding our BIG Feelings and What to Do About Them
In this episode, I talk with Meaghan Jackson, The Gentle Parenting Coach, about how to help children manage their feelings and learn about empathy. As parents with dogs, this is particularly helpful, because we all need strategies so we don't lose our cool (or our tempers). We can learn to explore the "why" of our feelings - in both our kids and our dogs, before we react and try to
35. Car Safety for Families with Kids and Dogs
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Alisa Baer, The Car Seat Lady. She is a board certified pediatrician and car safety specialist. We discuss not only how to keep families and dogs safe in a car accident, but how to keep children and dogs safe when riding in the car together - answering the very common question of where kids and dogs should sit when in the same vehicle.In this episode we discuss:whe
34. Resource Guarding in Dog Families with Kids
In this episode, I talk with Eileen Koval about different resource guarding scenarios in family dogs - and what to do about them. We discuss what resource guarding is, some of the underlying causes, and both training and management strategies to deal with it. Michelle of Pooch Parenting is now retired. Thank you for the support over the past decade. Many of her resources are now available on YouTu
33. Preparing Dog for New Baby and the Transition to Toddlerhood
In this episode, I talk with Stevie Moss, a mom of two kids under the age of 3 and a professional dog trainer in the UK. We discuss how Stevie prepared her anxious dog for the arrival of each of her children and how she helped to ease her dog's transition when her first baby became mobile and turned into an unpredictable toddler. If you are a dog mom and are planning on expanding your family,
32. Polite Door Manners for Family Dogs with Nick Benger
In this episode, I talk with Nick Benger, a professional dog trainer from the UK. We discuss how to help dogs to become more engaged with their owners and how to improve door manners when visitors arrive. We both share client stories and embarrassing incidents so that you know you are not alone - sometimes dogs are challenging. But with consistency and fun rewards, we can all see improvements in o
31. Managing Puppies around Kids at Home
In this episode, I talk with Cori Tufano, a dog trainer who specializes in puppies. She believes that starting off a puppy with loving, consistent training and management, they will be set up for a happier and more well adjusted life. I couldn't agree more! We talk about: how to manage puppies in a household with kids how to tell when puppies are tiredhow to know if your puppy needs a breakho
30. Ava's Pet Palace - 13 year old female entrepreneur making dog treats
This week, I talk with Ava, the 13-year old founder of Ava's Pet Palace, an organic treat company for dogs and cats. Ava's vision for her business started when she was only 6 years old...but at age 8, her parents knew she was serious and helped her to launch her dream. Ava encourages everyone to follow their dream, no matter what their age, and says that passion is the key to pushing thr
29. Fun Training Games and Body Language Education for Kids and Dogs
In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast with Justine Schuurmans, we talk about her program, The Family Dog. She provides training materials both to dog owners and to dog trainers (me included!) to help families to have more fun with their dogs. We discuss the importance in understanding dog body languagegood choices kids can make around dogsgames kids can play with dogsdog and child safety
28. Lazy Trainer Games for Polite Family Dogs
This week, I talk with my friend, Kelsey Weber, about "lazy trainer" games that are perfect for busy families. I don't know about you, but it's difficult to feel safe a dog who jumps on you every time you sit on the floor to tie your shoes or bowls over visitors. Fortunately for us, Kelsey has easy training games that don't take long to implement, even if your home is acti
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