Megan Molloy - Child and Dog Educator

16/04/2023

Body language can tell us whether someone is enjoying or tolerating our behaviour. Look at the first picture.
You can see by the photo that Summer (woman being hugged by man) is not enjoying the interaction. We can see how uncomfortable she is.....

Tight smile - not to eyes
Hunched body
Tight Shoulders/muscles
Mouth closed
Larger eyes

Now look at the second photo.... do you see it?
A young girl is hugging a beagle. The Beagle is looking a lot like the woman in the first photo.

Tight smile
Hunched body
Tight muscles in body and face
Mouth closed
Larger eyes / whale eye (whites of eye showing)
Ears backed

Tolerating a behaviour of another is not the same as enjoying it. The big problem with tolerance is that it's fluid, it changes day to day and moment to moment. This Beagle doesn't want this interaction, today they tolerate, but later, when he hasn't been heard, he growls, snaps, bites. Is he a bad dog? No he's not. He just isn't tolerating it today.

Understanding our dogs language is so important, ensuring all interactions are mutual and consensual is vital.
If you are about to introduce a baby into your dog's life join our upcoming Dogs and Storks workshop to ensure you are all up to date on listening to your dogs language, keeping them safe and supported during these new times.

Bookings can be made here:
https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/canine-interaction?service_id=6753

06/04/2023

3 hr workshop Learn how to prepare your dog, your home and yourselves for a life of living with a baby. You may hope your life with your dog won't change, but it does, Your dog needs you to help prepare him/her for the changes that are coming, We will cover: How dogs communicate and how to read them...

10/01/2023

Puppy Preschool in Croydon Park.
Classes start Thursday evening.

12/07/2022

I hate being the bearer of bad news. There are so many kids that love to walk dogs and its a "chore" that parents are often happy to give a child. But there are many concerns about this.

If a leash breaks, would your child run into traffic chasing them?
If a loose dog attacks how would your child cope?

Many years ago I was at home and I heard that dreaded screech and thud. I run out the front to see 2 devastated kids and their little white fluffy on the road. The driver had stopped and I was checking vitals on the dog and things were not good. The driver scooped the dog up and rushed to emergency vet. The kids now, standing there in shock. I never found out if the dog got loose or was let off the lead. Either way, the dog was not able to be controlled by the kids and they were left with the guilt. Unfortunately the dog passed on the way to the vet.

Taking the dog for a walk alone is something that needs to be taught and built on.

Sounds like the perfect solution... kids itching to walk their new dog + over-stretched parents thrilled that their children are taking responsibility and lightening the workload! What's not to love?

Actually quite a LOT.

I can't tell you how many disappointed faces I see when I try to explain why a child walking a dog ALONE *might NOT be* the best idea for anyone!!?

And I get totally it.

If this is your first family dog, a quick spin around the block may look harmless enough - until you consider ALL of the things that can (and DO) go wrong.

Even (mentally and physically) FULLY-GROWN ADULTS get pulled down to the ground, or dragged over to squirrels, skateboards and the neighborhood cat. They accidentally drop leashes, or watch helplessly as their pup slips their collar. They struggle to control their dog around other dogs, or conversely, they panic or freeze when an off-leash dog comes sprinting full-speed towards them (friendly or not friendly.. who knows? They’ll likely find out when it’s too late!)

And this is ONLY a handful of the things that can happen to GROWN UPS… so for kids the stakes are simply exponentially higher.

As a trainer, I’m pretty calculated about where I go, and when I walk my dogs my radar is always activated. Even still, I’ve personally had to dash after my loose dog, I’ve been bitten by a dog who was attacking mine, I’ve seen a dog run over in a school parking lot, and watched a child be literally dragged for 50ft against her will!

So, I hope by sharing the potential risks with you, you can make informed choices about your family dog walking situation:

Here’s my hotlist of things to consider:

Size - of child and dog
Strength - of child and dog
Maturity - of child and dog
Training - of child and dog
Temperament - of child and dog

Then download, print and share our poster.
THESE are my questions to help families size up the COMBINATION of their dog and child to see whether WALKING ALONE together is a SMART call.

For more info for kids, dogs and making EVERYONE'S life SAFE and HAPPY - go to thefamilydog.com/families

02/07/2022

Some great information about prepping for your baby

You asked, we answered! This depends on the individual dog. It definitely does help new parents feel prepared and confident in knowing how to handle their dog’s reaction. Along with actual baby cries, you may want to play other novel sounds (cats meowing, ducks quacking, etc). You want to become familiar with how your dog looks when curious. Can your dog still respond to your cues when curious?

Playing novel sounds provides expectant parents with a chance to practice their responses in those moments (i.e. “Yes, that’s the baby. You go lie down. I’ve got this.”)
No recording will simulate the entire experience that is a newborn cry with brand new parents. There is so much more going on.

13/04/2022

Does your child suffer from Stuffed Puppy Syndrome - Learn more now

SPS (Stuffed Puppy Syndrome) is spreading like wildfire!

Do you know someone who has it?
Maybe even your own kids?

Check out my BRAND NEW BLOG (just in time for ) to learn the signs (and grab the antidote)
https://www.thefamilydog.com/blog/dog-bite-prevention-sps

08/04/2022

Are you expecting a baby and already have a 4 legged furbaby?

Are you a first time Grandparent who has a dog at home?

Providing yourself and you dog with all the skills and training needed to successfully and peacefully live with kids and dogs takes time.

Don't wait until it's too late, start your preparation now. Give your dog/s time to adjust before the baby is due.

Megan is South Australia's only licenced presenter of the Dogs and Storks program. She specialises in helping people build strong relationships with dogs and babies.

Are you expecting a baby and already have a 4 legged furbaby?

Are you a first time Grandparent who has a dog at home?

Providing yourself and you dog with all the skills and training needed to successfully and peacefully live with kids and dogs takes time.

Don't wait until it's too late, start your preparation now. Give your dog/s time to adjust before the baby is due.

Megan is South Australia's only licenced presenter of the Dogs and Storks program. She specialises in helping people build strong relationships with dogs and babies.

Online live webinar

Book now: https://canineinteraction.helloclub.com/.../dogs-and...

07/12/2021

Learning how to read your dog's stress signals can help prevent a bite. We teach you how to read doggie body language.

07/05/2021

Are you expecting a baby and already have a 4 legged furbaby?
Are you a first time Grandparent who has a dog at home?
Providing yourself and you dog with all the skills and training needed to successfully and peacefully live with kids and dogs takes time.
Don't wait until it's too late, start your preparation now. Give your dog/s time to adjust before the baby is due.
Megan is South Australia's only licenced presenter of the Dogs and Storks program. She specialises in helping people build strong relationships with dogs and babies.
The next dogs and Storks session:
12th June 2021 @ 11am