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.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Looking for QUICK dog and parenting tips? Sign up for my free on-demand summit.

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.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Looking for QUICK dog and parenting tips? Sign up for my free on-demand summit.

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 time with a baby, toddler or child in the houseyou may not know how your dog will respond to receiving a LOT less attention than they do nowthe dog might be frustrated at an ever changing schedulethe 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 JuneIf 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.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Looking for QUICK dog and parenting tips? Sign up for my free on-demand summit.

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.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Looking for QUICK dog and parenting tips? Sign up for my free on-demand summit.

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 dogshow normal it is for parents to be overwhelmed raising kids and dogs togetherwhether or not training is the best way to address dog behavior challengesthe LEGS model for behavior: learning, environment, genetics and selfFamily Dog Mediation and how it helps us to manage our expectations of our dogsIf 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 DogsYou 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.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Looking for QUICK dog and parenting tips? Sign up for my free on-demand summit.