Families, Children,
& Dogs

 
 
 

Families with Dogs and Children, Grandchildren,
or a Baby on the Way

Let’s work together to set up your dog and family up for safety and success. We’ll cover training needs, safety with a baby, toddler, and older child, enrichment, exercise, integrating your dog into your new everyday routine, and more. We start with a free online consultation.

 
Image of a couple with one person holding a baby and the second person kissing holding and kissing the dog.

getting it right, right from the beginning

What You’ll Learn

Whether you are planning to have a family some day or are expecting a baby, grandchild, or new nephew or niece (or they’re already arrived!), it’s important to prepare your dog for this new addition.. We’ll cover:

  • Setting up your home for safety for both dog and baby

  • How to reduce your stress about bringing baby home and those first few days

  • Assessing your dog’s manners and brushing up or teaching any needed new ones

  • Busting some old myths of things to do with a dog and baby (spoiler: the dog needn’t smell the baby’s blanket)

  • What to do when a dog who ignored a infant starts to get uneasy around an older baby or toddler

 

Book Your Consultation

Families with Children and Dogs will help you understand where to spend your energy during this busy time and set up your dog and your family for a lifetime of success. Get started with a free online consultation.

 
 

YOU MAY BE WONDERING...

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Our lives have a way of changing over time, and a dog who fit perfectly into your lifestyle a decade ago may be quite different from the most appropriate canine companion for you now.

    For instance, I often work with people who have always had large dogs but who now no longer have the physical ability to manage a large dog on leash.

    This session will bring all that to light in a nonjudgmental way and while dogs are all individuals, you want to bring home a joy, not a frustration.

  • We’ll meet and discuss how a new canine companion will fit into your life, setting realistic expectations from the start!

    We’ll also tour your home (either in person or online) to check out how we can set up house-training, chew training, and alone time training for success.

  • While selecting a dog is something you will do, when we meet we’ll dig into your daily routine, exercise, and household setup and what a dog’s daily routine, exercise, and household needs might be.

    I can help you “decode” breed descriptions and understand how, for instance, a dog breed who is described as “aloof” may find it a challenge to accept strangers in the home.

    For instance, many people get a dog thinking it will help them go out for walks. While that often does work, we need to consider the dog’s energy requirements and ensure they match yours!

  • While all dogs are individuals, we’ll discuss what type of canine temperament is likely to be the best possible match for your family.

    A lot depends on your children’s age and previous experience with dogs, which we will talk about!

  • Yes!

    If your dog has been home a month or less, we can meet to see how things are going and discuss exercise, enrichment, managing for a safe environment, and any behavior issues.

    If you’d like to do manners training, I will send along a training proposal after we meet, customized to your needs.

  • You’ll have a solid foundation to get started, and I’m always available for quick follow-up questions or additional training sessions if needed.

 

unsure if you need this?

Get Started With A Free Consultation

Let’s meet and chat in a free online session.

 

TRAINING THAT BUILDS TRUST

My Approach

I believe in training methods that build trust, not fear. My approach is force-free and rewards-based, which means your dog will learn through positive reinforcement, making training a fun and engaging experience for both of you.

With my one-on-one coaching, you’ll get personalized guidance tailored to your puppy’s unique personality and your family’s needs. I’ll help you every step of the way, from mastering basic manners to solving common puppy challenges.

Together, we’ll create a customized training plan that breaks everything down into manageable steps, so your dog feels confident and successful at every stage. We’ll create a loving, structured environment where your dog can thrive.