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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

In Episode 1, I talk about 5 mistakes most parents with dogs make.

1. wearing rose colored glasses and assuming things will be fine
2. not using management to create safe spaces for kids and dogs
3. assuming that being in the same room is the same as "supervising" kids and dogs
4. not noticing or understanding dog body language
5. not preparing dogs before baby

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

In Episode 2, I talk about parenting overwhelm when raising kids and dogs at the same time.

Common concerns parents with dogs have include:

1. I can't get anything done. How am I supposed to do daily tasks like cooking, laundry and playing with my kids, while I keep an eye on my kids and dogs.
2. it's hard enough to just parent kids or dogs alone, let alone together - this is a normal experience that nobody talks about
3. management, such as baby gates, pens and doors are the best strategy to provide safe spaces for both your kids and your dogs and to allow you to take a break.
4. Like we talked about in Episode 1 of the series, being in the same room isn't enough to keep everyone safe - bites can happen right in front of you if you don't know what to look for
5. parents also wonder if they made a mistake by raising kids and dogs together or if they should not have added another dog to the mix
6. social media often makes us doubt our parenting skills or our dog training skills because everyone's lives look so much easier and safer than ours.
7. parents with new babies often feel guilty because their dog is getting the short end of the stick or they wonder if the dog would be better off living elsewhere

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

In Episode 3, I talk about some common signs that your dog is stressed or anxious around children?

1. Most parents are not fluent in dog body language - why would you be?
2. Some common body language in dogs may not look like communication - so it's easy to miss
3. Common behaviors that dogs use to communicate include: yawn, paw lift, look away, lip lick. All of these indicate stress or discomfort
4. Other signs of tension include ears that are back towards the head, a tight, closed mouth, a low tail and a stiff body
5. A common misconception is that dogs often lay down and show us their belly because they want to be petted. Unfortunately, this posture often means the opposite. The dog is hoping that if they are still that we will just go away. How do you know then when your dog really wants a belly rub? She will approach you with a soft, wiggly body and offer herself for affection. 
6. Some dogs walk away or hide when they are uncomfortable around kids
7. Other dogs approach us, as if asking for support. They may hide behind our legs or sit behind our body.
8. We need to teach children to respect dogs - one easy way to do this is to have the kids invite the dog over for attention instead of approaching the dog directly. This gives the dog the opportunity to give consent for the interaction or opt out
9. Parenting kids and dogs is actually very similar!

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

Growling - What it means and how to prevent it

1. Growling is scary. But the good news is that it's communication
2. Growling can be compared to the yellow light of a traffic signal - it's a warning that something major is about to happen. Imagine how many accidents there would be if lights went straight from green to red.
3. Don't punish the growl - thank your dog for telling you they are uncomfortable
4. Look for the trigger - Get Curious
5. Why is your dog growling? Look around and see if you can spot what's troubling him.
6. Look for patterns and intervene before the growl
7. Remove the trigger, not your dog
8. By responding to your dog's body language and offering relief, your dog will trust that you will meet his needs
9. If your dog's behavior has changed suddenly, it's time to book an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out pain, a common cause of growling. 
10. Management is your best friend - use gates, pens and other barriers to give your dog space to avoid triggers that cause discomfort and growling

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

Best Practices for Supervising Kids and Dogs

1. Understand what Supervision means
   
   
2. What supervision is not: 
   • simply being in the same room as your kids and dogs
   • napping on the sofa while your kids and dogs play (together or separately) in the room
   • sleeping at night with your dog on your bed and your infant in the same room
   • scrolling social media, talking on the phone, or playing Candy Crush while your kids and dogs are in the same space
   • making dinner, folding laundry or taking a shower while your kids and dogs are in the same room
   • driving while your dog is loose in the back seat with your child or even restrained within arm's reach of your child
3. What supervision IS: 
   • giving 100% of your attention to your kids and dogs together
   • sitting between your dog and child as they play calmly on the floor
   • sitting between your dog and child as you watch a tv show or movie
   • sitting between your dog and child as you read together
   • playing games with your child and dog with your dog on a leash
   • helping your child toss balls, toys or treats to the dog over a baby gate
   • making dinner, folding laundry or taking a shower while your dog is on one side of a barrier and your child is in the room with you (or vice versa)
   • having safe zones or "yes spaces" where nervous children or dogs can relax and decompress without any pressure to interact with each other
4. Tools that can help you to create 
   • Pens
   • Baby Gates - traditional or retractable depending on your space
   • Leashes
   • Crates
   • Doors
   • Tethers (ONLY if your child can not approach your tethered dog)

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

I believe in Gentle Parenting - will this parenting strategy work for both kids and dogs?

• 100% yes. Gentle Parenting relies on understanding and respect. It avoids punishment and instead uses strategies that involve setting healthy boundaries and building strong trusting relationships to set up individuals to be successful.
• scientific studies have established that in both children and dogs, we see behaviors that are rewarded more often - it feels like coaching
• this type of parenting can include natural consequences, such as losing access to the dog if the child is too rough. or if the puppy is biting too much, they may need to hang out in a safer space to calm down where they can't bite anymore.
• we learn to avoid triggers by setting up our kids and dogs for success. If they appear hesitant to do something, we dig in and try to identify why. Are they afraid? too tired? too overwhelmed or confused?
• By being curious, it can help us to change the environment to make them more successful
• Gentle parenting should not be confused with being "too soft." We definitely still use limits and set boundaries such as "I can't let you bother the puppy when he is asleep." or "I can't let you kick the dog when you are frustrated." In these circumstances, we would remove the child from the situation to prevent them from doing something harmful.

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

Why Your Child Might Accidentally Hurt or Provoke your Dog

• It's important for parents to understand normal behaviors in kids that accompany different developmental stages. 
• Kids are curious and want to explore "what happens if"
• We need to react calmly and move our child away.
• Next, we need to explain why we do or don't do certain things, and then use management to prevent dangerous or unkind interactions in the future
• Natural consequences could include having less access to the dog
• It's also important to identify if your child is afraid of your dog or uncomfortable around them and is asking for more safe space (by kicking at or swatting at the dog) 

How can I teach my children to respect and interact safely with our dog?

• Model the behavior you want your kids to demonstrate
• Most dogs don't like to be hugged - so don't hug your dog in front of your children. Even if YOUR dog likes to be hugged, your children will treat all dogs the way they treat yours.
• Eye contact is threatening to most dogs, so don't kiss your dog on the nose in front of your kids - this is how a lot of bites to kids happen. Again - even if your dog is okay with this, it puts your child's vulnerable face too close to the teeth of other dogs.
• Set some ground rules such as never bothering a dog when they are eating, chewing a bone or sleeping
• Use safe zones for both your kids and dogs, where they know that they will not be approached
• Invite dogs to you for petting instead of approaching them
• Notice dog body language and talk about it often - point out if your dog is showing signs of stress so your kids can learn to recognize them

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net

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, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.

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/podcastworkbook/

Ignore Social Media Trends

• I blame social media for putting too much pressure on these first types of interactions with new baby - that they should be "photo or social media worthy"
• instead, consider this just one moment - they have a lifetime to build relationships
• prioritize safety. Put down the camera and be fully present
• be sure the dog is behind a barrier and or leashed when the baby is carried into the house
• if the dog is calm at a distance, you can bring them closer on a leash
• Reward calm behavior and move away if dog is too excited

You won't know how your dog will respond to your new baby

• If you have had a traumatic birth, you need to be careful how your dog greets you when you come home.
• Please limit dog kisses to the baby - why risk it?
• Not all licks are kisses - sometimes licking is a sign your dog is stressed
• Some dogs are predatory and respond differently than you hoped for
• Get on the waitlist for my Paws to Pacifiers program that I offer 3 times a year for a very detailed coaching plan for how to introduce your dog to new baby

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.

If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net