Family Paws Parent Education

01/23/2025

Yesterday was National Hug Day! 🤗

Although we may want to hug our dogs because that is how we as humans sometimes show love, it is important to remember that dog’s show love much differently than we do as humans! 💚

Hugs can make them very uncomfortable! ❌

It is important to teach our children to hug a stuffy NOT a live fluffy! 🐻

Instead of a hug, your kids can show love to your dogs by…

1️⃣ Helping prep enrichment toys for your dog to enjoy

2️⃣ Blowing kisses or waving goodnight to your dogs

3️⃣ Engaging in parent led activities from a learning tower

01/21/2025

Terminology Tuesday ~ Learned Helplessness 🐶

As trainers who work closely with families, we are often asked the question of “will they just get used to the baby/ toddler over time?”

Something we always take into consideration is avoiding something called learned helplessness at all costs… But what does that mean?

Learned helplessness in dog training happens when people intentionally or unintentionally put their dogs in situations that the dogs are uncomfortable in repeatedly until they seemingly stop reacting.

This lack of a reaction doesn’t mean that they are comfortable, it means that they feel that no matter what they do, they will be forced into the situation so they begin to shut down emotionally. They feel as if they don’t have any other choice.

This is very dangerous as it can result in bites or reactions that people often describe as “out of nowhere” - which we know there is often no such thing as an “out of the blue” bite

To avoid learned helplessness in our dogs, we want to actively watch their body language for clues to how they might be feeling and respect their boundaries when they tell us that they are uncomfortable by adding in success stations and space!

We want to provide choice, not force 💚

01/21/2025

What do you think when you read the quote above?

Does this statement surprise you?

Our very own Jennifer Shryock and John D Visconti have teamed up together to create an incredibly informative column included in the APDT Chronicle of the Dog Winter 2024

We are looking forward to sharing more from these columns over the next few months and the information that these two educators have to share with the community!

01/18/2025

Place is one of the most versatile skills you can teach your dog as a parent! 🐶

There are so many benefits to teaching your dog place like…

1️⃣ Creating a predictable routine for your dog in the event you need to make space

2️⃣ Have a designated spot for your dog to be when you are feeding your baby or toddler at the table

3️⃣ Allows for a portable target for your dog to go to no matter where you are at Teaching your dog place can be a super and easy bonding activity as well!

Grab some treats and have some fun with your dog! 🐾

01/17/2025

Are you a dog trainer looking to provide the most up to date resources and support to the families that you work with who have dogs, babies or toddlers but aren’t ready yet to become a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator?

We have the perfect mini course for you! 🤩

recently took our Dog Aware Mini Course for Dog Professionals!

This course is PERFECT to get a feel for Family Paws materials that will immediately support your families through learning about the 4 Pillars of Dog Aware. In this course, we cover the importance of body language, sensitivities, proximity, and supervision.

Take a look at the second slide to see what Jenny had to say about their experience while taking our Mini Course!

Interested in taking our Dog Aware Mini Course for Dog Professionals? Our next one starts of February 5th, 2025!

Link to register is below ⬇️ OR you can comment MINI and we will send you a direct link to register to your inbox 📥

🔗 https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=40686445

01/17/2025

No matter how hard you prepare for the sound of a newborn baby crying, no two babies have the same sound!

Babies change and grow so quickly, and with that comes a whole new repertoire of sounds that our dogs have never heard before.

For any dog, this can be confusing, stressful as well as unsettling, but especially for those of us who have dogs with sound sensitivities…

Although we can’t stop our baby from making these sounds, what we can do is learn about our own dog’s sensitivities and how they react in certain situations in order to help them through those more difficult times.

Here are 3 things you can do to help set your dog up for success:

1️⃣ Use verbal cues to reassure your dog that you’ve got this and that they can go get their ball, their other human or go to their bed if they would like. Telling them that you are okay and giving them an alternative behavior can be incredibly helpful in times of stress and uncertainty.

2️⃣ Have a safe spot away from the noise where your dog is able to relax and have a break from the stimulation. Let them enjoy a tasty pre made enrichment treat here to help them decompress. Their hearing is so much more sensitive than ours!

3️⃣ Prepare in advance by teaching your dog what you want them to do when the baby does a certain thing. Think about what you want your dog to do while you’re changing your baby or when they are having a harder time sleeping and are constantly crying.

Remember, we never want to isolate our dog from our baby, but it is okay to give both yourself and your dog a break by removing your dog from the situation in the moment where things feel too much!

Wanting to learn more about how to understand your dog’s sensitivities? Our next Dog’s & Storks Live Webinar is coming up on February 11th, 2025 at 8:30pm EST 💚

Link to register is below ⬇️

🔗 https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=19390846

gsandbabies

01/16/2025

Often when we talk about our dogs, we usually use emotion based words to describe how they are feeling…

For example: “my dog is stressed”, “my dog is scared” or “my dog is happy”

We use these words “scared”, “stressed” and “happy” to describe how they are feeling, but what does that actually look like in terms of body language we can SEE from our dogs?

It is important to use our Doggie Detective® skills to ensure we are taking a look at our dog’s ears, eyes, tail and muzzle in order to gather the clues to solve the puzzle of HOW our dogs are feeling based on their body language.

This week, try challenging yourself to call out specific things you see from your dog’s body language!

01/15/2025

Terminology Tuesday - Success Station! 🐶

What is a success station? 🤔

A Success Station is ANY designated spot that a dog is limited to so that they have an increased chance to succeed! ✅

As you can see from the photos, there are many ways you can create Success Stations for your family! Some of these include:

1️⃣ Gates

2️⃣ Crates

3️⃣ Tethering* (only in very specific situations, please see below)

4️⃣ A combo (gate and a crate or other form of management like a play yard etc…)

By implementing these slowly and in a positive way BEFORE your child arrives, success stations create the space that both you and your dog and child need to feel safe, comfortable and most importantly successful! Please don’t feel guilty for utilizing them especially when things are overwhelming!

* Tethering can be a helpful for some dogs but can also create a lot of conflict in others. Once a baby is able to
roll, crawl, or move, a tether is no longer a safe option and should be discontinued.

Interested in our free handout on Success Stations? Please comment SUCCESS for a link to be sent to you or follow the link below to find more information on how to implement success stations into your family’s life! ⬇️

🔗 https://www.familypaws.com/success-stations/

01/14/2025

Babies change, grow so quickly! 💚

This can lead to conflict and confusion for family dogs! 🐶

Join us at our FIRST Dogs & Toddlers Webinar of 2025 to learn ways to include your dog as your baby becomes mobile!

Learn about grumble & growl zones, how to strengthen your Dog Aware skills, learn how proximity matters along with some fun games to make life easier!

This is a must for any dog lovers with kids or visiting kids!

Link to register is below or comment TODDLER and we will send you a direct link to your inbox 📥

🔗 https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=19391069

01/12/2025

Here’s a question for you...

How do you feel when you try to tell someone you don’t like something that they are doing or that you it’s painful or making you uncomfortable and they still keep doing it?

This may be because they didn’t understand what you were trying to tell them or they just ignored your words or signs and continued to do it anyways because it was convenient for them.

This is what happens everyday with our dogs!

Sometimes we don’t understand what they are trying to tell us and sometimes we keep pushing them because we want them to do something even though they are clearly uncomfortable with it.

This is why it is so important to respect the grumbles our dogs give us! It is an important form of communication and is there for a reason.

Interested in learning more about dog body language? We have an entire PDF library and Doggie Detective® program to help you learn! Comment DETECTIVE and we will send you a direct link to the free resource! You can also find the link in our bio 🔗

01/11/2025

This right here is one of our top PREPARATION tips for families with dogs and kids!

What do you think it is?

Remember, don’t take a chance… Prepare in advance!

Comment 🐶 for a resource on how to teach this skill to be sent to you BEFORE we show step by step how to train it this upcoming week!

01/11/2025

We at Family Paws believe that when working with dogs and kids, there isn’t a one size fits all training plan!

Every dog and home is unique and requires us to work diligently with you as the family not against you to provide support and guidance!

This is exactly why we offer our LIVE webinars!

Here are 3 reasons why we suggest registering for our live webinars for Dogs & Toddlers and Dogs & Storks rather than watching the pre-recorded ones:

1️⃣ Ability to ask questions in REAL time to one of our Licensed Family Paws Parent Educators

2️⃣ Small Group Webinars allow for you as a parent to not feel alone! Feeing supported is one of the most important things when navigating the ever changing relationship between dogs, babies and toddlers!

3️⃣ BONUS! FREE Body language PDF/Video when hiring a Family Paws Educator after webinar to help you and you get on the right track with understanding your dog’s body language!

These are only some of the reasons why a LIVE webinar is more beneficial than a pre-recorded one!

Interested in registering for our upcoming Dogs & Toddlers Webinar on the 28th of January or our Dogs & Storks Webinar on February 11th?

Please find the website registration through the links below ⬇️

Dogs & Storks LIVE webinar registration: https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=19390846

Dogs & Toddlers LIVE Webinar registration: https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=19391069

Comment WEBINAR and we will send you the link to register directly to your inbox as well! 📥

We can’t wait to see you there!

01/10/2025

This is a question we get asked quite often and you may be surprised by the answer! 👀

The lens we look at situations through when it comes to certain situations changes the impact of how we respond to our dog and how we manage that we believe may be going on! 🔍

When we put all our attention on “it’s because I’m pregnant that they are doing that” we often miss important things about our dog and what they may be experiencing as a result of the pregnancy, not BECAUSE you are pregnant! 🐾

When we are pregnant, often our dogs receive less exercise as we don’t have as much time or energy between our body changes and appointments, there may be more people around that usual, you may be rearranging furniture and the rest of your home to accommodate your needs addition… The list goes on!

It’s important we dig deeper and see what the behaviors are actually about! 🐶

Unsure of where to start?

We have our first Dogs & Storks Webinar of 2025 in February! The link to register for our live webinar and start you on the right path to understanding your dog’s behavior is in our bio 🔗

Comment STORKS and we will send you a direct link to the registration page 💚

01/09/2025

The homecoming phase can be super stressful on everyone in the home, including your dog!

Navigating the new sounds, schedule, smells as well as juggling meeting everyone’s needs throughout the day can seem almost impossible….

But it doesn’t have to be!

Follow our page for easy enrichment tips and activities like this treat ball that take less than 5 minutes to assemble and keeps your pup busy when you might just need a second to take a breath 💚

01/08/2025

Welcome to Terminology Tuesday‼️

We hear the word “Enrichment” thrown around a lot with animals, but what does it actually mean? 🤔

Enrichment is something that your dog finds positive, productive, interesting, challenging and stimulating that is rooted in their “natural” behavior and enhances their quality of life! 🐶

There are so many ways that you can enrich your pets life even as a busy parent!

It can be as easy as a luck mat or frozen Kong or taking your dog on a sniffari!

Take a look at slide 2 for what enrichment is and what it isn’t! It is important to remember that enrichment is about our pets, NOT us!

We will be making a post in the next few days about easy ways that you can add enrichment to your pets life in 5 minutes or less!

What are your favorite enrichment activities to do with your pet?

01/06/2025

When we are comfy and cozy, the last thing we want to do is be bothered! Our dogs are the same! 🐶

This dog under the table is a perfect example of a GROWL ZONE….

Growl Zones are crowded spaces where the dog lacks a clear escape route AND/OR a resource is near.

If approached, a dog in a growl zone may growl, snap, or
even bite because they feel as if they don’t have any other choice to make space.

We can decrease potential for conflict by creating a plan to prevent a child from having access to a dog in a growl zone by implementing success stations to set everyone up for success!

This may look like an x - pen or baby gate to prevent access as well as active awake adult supervision! 👀

Remember, if a dog is at rest leaving them is best! Set everyone up for success!

Comment GROWL in the comments and we will send you a resource about Growl Zones to your inbox 📥

01/06/2025

This post is packed with important points to consider for all dogs. Thank you Helen St. Pierre for sharing!

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre

01/05/2025

We can’t begin to put into words the incredible inspiration Karen Pryor was to so many in the dog professional and animal behavior community!

She not only shaped the way we work with animals but also how we treat others and work with our children!

She approached learning and life with such positivity and passion!

All of her work will continue forever to change how people support dogs and humans in life, a constant learning experience.

Karen built an amazing community and educational opportunities through Karen Pryor Academy and TAGteach international among so many other accomplishments.

We will always admire her energy, passion and ability to make change happen. Her brilliant teachings have and will continue to change lives.

Thank you Karen for being an incredibly strong, brilliant and inspiring woman many admired and looked up to.

You truly made a difference in this world that will last forever.

We wish to send condolences to her family and all of her close colleagues.