Dog Meets Baby Blog

Holidays, as wonderful as they are, can be stressful for parents and dogs when friends and family are visiting and routines change.
Planning ahead of time when you’re expecting visitors or you will be visiting someone who has a dog, will keep everyone safe and comfortable.

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When deciding what to do with your dog when there are visitors, consider the following:
➜the temperament of your dog
➜the type and length of visit
➜everyone’s comfort level

Here are a few ideas on how to proceed:
✓A brief greeting with the dog and visitor, then separate.
✓Separate as visitors arrive, then let the dog come out for a quick
greeting, then separate again.
✓Completely separate from the start and remain separate until
everyone leaves.
✓Let the dog hang out with everyone, but separate during tricky times
(like serving a meal, kids holding food, or kids running around).
✓Let the dog hang out depending on everyone’s (including the dog’s)
comfort level.

➜Make your guests aware of the safet...

I bought my Mom a robotic vacuum (Roomba) for Christmas a few years ago. The following year I bought her a stand-alone mixer. To this day, she talks about those two presents because they made her daily life EASIER.

Dog hair everywhere, dog barking, the guilt because you don't have time for your dog anymore.

I am a much happier mom when the robotic vacuum cleans my house, the dog's barking doesn't wake up the kid (white noise machine!), and my dog just spent 30 minutes working on her meal offered in a snuffle mat.

This gift guide is meant to be practical and make your life EASIER.

If you are tracking Black Friday deals, add the products you like from the Gift Guide to your list. You can find more products I, my clients, and Dog Meets Community like and recommend in the Dog Meets Baby Amazon Store.

For your baby, your dog, and you

Bringing home a baby is a big change for a dog.

The new sounds, smells, baby items, change of routines, and the actual baby, can be hard on man...

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 ...

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...