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Today I interview Mike Wombacher, author of the book Good Dog, Happy Baby and an expert in hands-on dog training. Mike has been training dogs in all kinds of situations for decades, but has found a special mission in helping families prepare their dogs for a new baby. Listen in for great tips on getting your favorite canine ready for your new little one!
Topics We Discuss in This Podcast:
- When Mike realized just how common it was for people to assume everything would be alright with dog and baby… and it how common it was for things to go wrong.
- Why many families are looking for guidance on dogs and babies
- How a new baby can impact a dog (and what you can do to make the transition easier)
- Why so many dogs get re-homed when a new baby arrives, and how you can prevent that from happening with your special dog
- A need-to-know stage of baby development that will make your dog anxious, nervous, and even fearful enough to nip
- Why the CDC classifies dogs as the #2 threat to child health
- How to know if your dog will be safe for your new baby
- What to do if you suspect your dog may not be able to cope with the transition
- Mikes #1 tip for families preparing for a new baby with a furbaby in residence
Right-click here to download the MP3
Things Mentioned on This Week's Podcast
- GoodDogHappyBaby.com – Mike's website where you can find out more about him, and download his free guide – A Pet Primer for New or Expecting Parents: 22 Essential Questions Every Dog Owner Needs to Ask
- Good Dog, Happy Baby – Mike's book on preparing your dog for your new baby's arrival
- 415-420-4768 – Mike's direct line, he's happy for you to give him a call to ask specific questions about your dog!
- Sign up for the NBBC newsletter
(NOTE: Trying to balance your pregnancy, life, and getting ready for baby? Use my checklist pack stay healthy (naturally), organized, and confident throughout your pregnancy! Get them here.)
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Interesting podcast. We are dog people and kid people. I have to say, it’s not just about training the dog how to act with the kids, it’s about training the kids how to interact with the dog.
Children should act as pack leaders and show respect for the dog. As long as we say, “Oh, little Susie doesn’t understand that you can’t pull the dog’s ears,” we are placing the blame on the dog for how he reacts to being treated disrespectfully. It’s a double standard.
Parents, teach your kids to not stare dogs in the eyes. Teach kids to not reach out and grab dogs, or corner them, or treat dogs like stuffed animals. They are living beings, they have feelings. Dogs can be well trained to take all sorts of abuse, but should they have to?
You bring up some important points. I had a client tell me recently that he expects his dog to put up with anything his 4 year old son can dish out including sitting on the dog, pulling his tail, smacking him with toys, etc. I told him he was an idiot. Okay, not quite that strong, but close.
Dogs aren’t little stuffed animals and kids have to learn that. Although mostly they’re incapable of teaching the dogs they’re “alpha” they can certainly treat the dog with respect and learn how to interact with the dog constructively and in a way that starts to signal at least a little bit of leadership.
People warned us the dogs would not be ready for our new normal (we weren’t ready either, but that’s another story) and we should do things to get them ready. We should cry and make random noises in the middle of the night. We should ring the doorbell. We should get kids’ toys that make noise and turn them on around the dogs.