Dog Meets Baby Blog

There is so much advice on the internet when you type in ‘How to introduce your baby to your dog.’ Some tips are great, some are common myths, and some are plain dangerous.

I probably wouldn’t be talking about it so much if it wasn’t for my own experience.

Lola, my well-socialized, well-trained Labrador Retriever, was 5 years old when I had my twins. Typical for her breed, she loved everyone.

But when I brought my kids home, their early-term cries and movements switched on Lola's predatory instincts. The moment she saw them, she was hunting.

My first baby was ready to hurt my 5.5 pound twins. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.

As a dog trainer, I knew what to do—and we had a solid foundation of obedience to work from. But what if I didn’t have my kids in a crib? What if I gave her free access to my kids? Just the thought of it makes me nauseous.

I don’t want any parent to go through that fear that doesn’t go away right away. I didn’t trust my dog for months ...

When it comes to behavioral training, punishment works. Or at least, it appears to…at first.

But what most owners fail to realize, punishment as a training tool often comes with detrimental side effects. So, what are the side effects you can expect?
That’s the problem. We don’t know.
Dogs make associations all the time.

When I first started training dogs, I didn’t know much about various training philosophies and approaches. My mentor trainer was actively using choke collars, prong collars, physical punishment, and leash corrections. There were some treats but given very sparingly. It wasn’t until I started Academy for Dog Trainers in San Francisco, CA that I learned that you can effectively train without the use of aversive methods. I never looked back.

TO PUNISH?

If a dog growls and lunges at fast-running small children and is punished with a spray bottle, sometimes it is enough to stop that behavior. Frequently, “success” is temporary. The dog growls and lunges because they ar...

Every dog and owner have unique and sometimes subtle ways of communicating with each other. ⁠When you have a baby, it is unavoidable that the unique language you and your dog have developed together will be interrupted. Your dynamic will change.⁠

Pre-baby evening routine

Your dog brings you a toy and barks excitedly! Playtime! Yay!
Followed by snuggles on the couch, your dog’s face and paws in your lap.

Post-baby evening routine

You sit on the couch holding your newborn baby.
Your dog brings the toy over and barks! You tell your dog, “QUIET!” and take the toy away.
Your dog jumps on the couch to get attention, but your lap and hands are unavailable. You tell your dog, “OFF!”


Your dog will try the same behaviors that have worked in the past. When those behaviors don’t work, they may try other ways to get your attention, e.g., by demand barking or being jumpy and pushy. Or extra clingy.

What does it mean?

Many parents interpret these behaviors as their dog being jealous of the...

The dog training industry is unregulated in many countries. Literally, anyone can call themselves a dog behaviorist or a dog trainer. When looking for a trainer, ask for certifications*, especially if you don’t know much about that trainer.⁠

*At the end of this blog post, you’ll find a list of the recommended certifications (the US and some international).
⁠

In-person or online?

If you have a local trainer you like a lot, great! But if you don’t–or prefer remote meetings–many trainers work online. During the pandemic, it was often the only way to “see a trainer.” Many behaviors can be successfully addressed with cameras during online training sessions or group classes. Some trainers work exclusively online and offer training packages and programs.

In some cases, online sessions are more beneficial than in-person sessions. For example:

✔Easily distracted pups
SF Puppy Prep is a reputable dayschool for young puppies in San Francisco, CA. At first, the school offered a 60-minute com...

“My son can’t stop trying to pull the dog’s hair and tail, even if I repeat a thousand times that he’s hurting the dog. I feel like I’m constantly correcting one or both of them.”

“I have a 2.5-year-old who will not leave my English lab alone - grabs her face, tries to touch her eyes, grabs her fur really tight. All of these are uncomfortable for the dog.”

“My toddler is extremely rough with our dog. We don't let them alone together. We never let him rough handle her. But even when we are right there, he is super quick to grab her paw or jump on her when she is sitting. I am concerned that she'll snap at some point, or it's negatively affecting her.”

Does this sound familiar?

I asked Caley Kukla, M.Ed., for her advice, as a behavior specialist and parent coach who integrates brain science and empathy into discipline practices. Caley is also a mom to two young children and a dog. Here’s what she has to say:

To toddlers, dog tails are a funny sensory toy that moves. Because toddl...

Did you decide to get a dog as a couple before having a child, or did you and your pup come as a “package deal”?

Or, are you a single parent or a couple with young children looking to add a dog to your family but not sure when and how?

I’ll walk you through different scenarios to help you prepare your dog for future kids or help you choose the best moment for your family to get your dream dog.

Option 1: First dog, then child

Many couples get a dog before they decide to have children. It's a good way to learn responsibility and selflessness. Dogs teach us better planning skills and to be more flexible. And, if you get your dog as a puppy, you’ll also get a taste of the inevitable sleep deprivation that comes with a baby.

If you plan on kids entering the picture at some point -no matter how far down the line- getting your dog comfortable around children is important. ⁠
When socializing a dog with unfamiliar or familiar children, it is extremely important you do it right.

Here’...

Does your dog steal your baby’s toys, diapers, pacifiers, or clothes? Sometimes you get lucky and your dog magically KNOWS not to touch the baby's toys. ⁠⁠But, if you’re like most, you need a strategy for keeping your baby's stuff out of your dog's mouth, and your dog out of harm's way.

Creating a safe environment.

Babies bring A LOT of new and organic smells that are exciting to your dog. Dogs are natural scavengers. Scavenging is a survival mechanism and an instinct that’s strong in most dogs. Introducing a baby to your house can potentially trigger your dog’s scavenger tendencies in new ways.

Many baby items can be stimulating for your dog, or even mistaken for food. Here’s a list of common baby items that can be uncontrollably enticing for your dog:

• dirty burp clothes
• dirty diapers
• milk/formula bottles
• pacifiers with baby slobber

My dog ate a toy, now what? 

If your dog gets, consumes, or destroys one of these things, don’t panic; it’s no different than your dog...

If I had to name the number one behavior people ask me questions about, it would be LICKING. Some of you don’t mind it at all, and some of you can’t stand it.

The chances are, your dog doesn’t just lick the baby. Oftentimes, dogs have been licking their family members for years, it is not new behavior.

With consistency, training, and management, your dog can learn it is okay to lick you and not the baby. However, it is important to understand that if this behavior has been allowed and rewarded (even unintentionally), a negative reaction from you when they try to lick the baby, may be confusing to your dog at first. 

You might be wondering, how did you unintentionally reward licking?

 Anytime you:

• Let your dog lick you
• Pet them while they lick
• Look at your dog
• Sweet-talk them
• Show any type of positive (and even negative!) attention 

It could be rewarding to your dog.

Understanding why your dog is licking is key if you want to reduce it.

Here are the most common rea...

One of the best ways to keep your dog entertained while you are figuring out life with a baby is puzzle toys for dogs. These toys have a variety of functions and there are different toys depending on your dog’s size and personality. Read below to learn how to pick out the perfect puzzle toys for your dogs and some of my (and Lola’s) personal favorites! Plus, here is a reel that shows how I prepare puzzle toys for dogs with my kids. 

How to Choose Puzzle Toys For Dogs

There are some things you should keep in mind when choosing puzzle toys for dogs:

1. Choose a toy based on your dog’s personality and size. Many toys come in multiple sizes so you can choose the right one for your pet.
2. Start out by making it easy for your dog to get the food from the toy. Use loosely-packed food so it falls out easily.
3. Once they are used to the toy, make it more difficult. For example, you could freeze the toy, add extra layers, or pack in more food.
4. If your baby is mobile, it’s best to give puzzle to...

The process of IVF is different for everyone who experiences it. However, one thing that people who are trying to conceive have in common is the desire to add a new member to their family. Although it may not be necessary for all families, handling a dog and IVF could be just what you need to get through some tough times.

Your Dog Can Support You

As you start IVF treatment, you are probably feeling so many emotions. Excitement, nervousness, frustration, fear… and all of these emotions are heightened by the drug regimen you are on to boost your hormones. Your dog can be a great support system throughout your whole IVF journey. They may not fully understand that you are trying to have a baby, but they can recognize the different emotions you are feeling and can be there for extra snuggles during the hard times.

A Good Distraction

Your dog can also provide you with a distraction during the long process of TTC and pregnancy. They are a bundle of happiness for many moms and dads and ...