Family Dogs with Gail

02/07/2024

Sometimes using two types of success stations together can lead to the safest option, which is totally ok! Don't think you're taking a step backward or not succeeding. This is a helpful option and is especially true as babies become mobile and curious. Preventing a child from approaching a dog in their success station is important, and a combined option may be most helpful.

👉For example, you may find it helpful to put up a gate in a doorway so your mobile baby cannot directly approach your dog resting in their crate. Combinations can help create “buffers,” so your dog and baby are not coming into direct access to one another through a barrier.

Illustrations by Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

04/06/2024

19/01/2024

This is so true for dogs too

23/11/2023

Let sleeping dogs lie (even if they’re in their success stations!). This one is SO important for kids and adults! It is so helpful to remember that if you see your dog or another dog sleeping, let them be.

If the dog is a senior dog, they may have some pains or just need rest and do not want to be disturbed. Even if your dog is young and not in pain, they may be startled and snap if they are abruptly pet/engaged with while sleeping. I know I would jump out of my skin if someone just hugged me out of nowhere while I was sleeping!

😴 Dogs need their undisturbed rest, too. If you are going to have friends and family over and you know your dog may be sleeping or resting while they are over, set everyone up for success by crating your dog (if they enjoy crates) or setting them up in a success station with their comfy bed and KONG toy. This way, they can be relaxed and nap undisturbed.

🛏 We let sleeping dogs lie to decrease stress upon the dog and prevent any toothy situations from occurring.
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Family Paws is passionate about creating Dog Aware Generations that can identify stress signals in dogs and help them before they escalate to the more observable behaviors of discomfort like growling, snapping and biting.

08/11/2023

Babies grow up quickly! As soon as you become familiar with one stage, you enter into a new one. With fast and exciting growth can come a little uncertainty for our family dogs (sitting, crawling, walking, running and more!). It's important to keep this in mind when your baby reaches new milestones. Many families prepare with their dog for a new baby, we encourage parents and caregivers to prepare with their dog for life with toddlers too!

www.familypaws.com

08/11/2023

We love this set up. 👏🏼The baby is playing and enjoying their time on the floor while the parent is enjoying a moment.

✅The dog is safely on the other side of a gate with a toy. We especially like that the chair is in between the dog and baby so that the parent is able to intervene and prevent the baby from approaching the gate.

✅This is a great example of inclusion without direct interaction. The dog is able to observe the baby and Mom but not be in the middle of things.

28/10/2023

Halloween is just 3 days away!!
Here are some helpful tips for this spooky day.

28/09/2023

This is especially true with babies and toddlers who move in unpredictable ways. So often, we receive phone calls from the parents of newly-crawling babies once the dog has begun growling at the baby, and much of the time the growling occurs when the baby crawls towards the dog. Learn to set your dog and baby up for safe, comfortable dynamics.

When baby is on the move, make sure Fluffy is either comfortably separated or there is a parent in-between. When you and your child want to interact with your dog, teach your child from an early age to invite the dog over to you. And remember: invitations are just that. Your dog is always free to say “No thanks.”

07/05/2023

Excellent article about dog parks

Hoping to have a ball at one of St. Louis’ stupendous dog parks? Here’s what you need to know to make your trip a howling success.

19/08/2022

This article has many good tips on prevention of separation anxiety. For families with children, the Sprout & About page has info on lots of fun things to do with your kids in the St Louis area as well as tips on how to make the transition back to school easier for them.

If your pet has separation anxiety, you may notice some behavioral changes.

16/06/2022

This is so important for dog bite prevention

14/11/2021

Is "Let them sniff the blanket" sufficient advice to provide to someone if asked how to successfully introduce a new baby to the family dog? It is one suggestion but there is so much more helpful information you can offer families.

The homecoming of a new infant to a family dog should be about inclusion without direct interaction. Gradual exposure with safety and comfort for everyone always being a priority. Veterinarians, as part of the family health care team and as public health providers, are frequently called upon after a dog behaves aggressively or bites a child.

Veterinary and other pet care professionals are well-positioned to offer resources and ongoing support to new and expecting families with dogs.

This 4-part webinar series serves to offer veterinary and pet care professionals positive and proactive ways to educate and support families with dogs and children. Participants of this Program will come away with a better understanding of how to prevent childhood bites by providing families with knowledge, guidance, and ongoing support regarding relationships between children and dogs.

Limited time promotion! Course fee is $149 but take advantage of the promotion and

SAVE up to $30* with PROMO Code: ******

PROMO Code expires 11/24/21 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

*PROMO Code provides a $10 discount on the Program registration fee. Opt-in to participate in a pre- and post-Program survey and we'll refund you an additional $20 (see registration form for details).

👉👉Please use promo code FPEB3 👈👈

We are excited to be in partnership with VetVine for this webinar!! Register here: https://www.vetvine.com/forums/topic/1255/dog-and-baby-toddler-safety-program

21/10/2021

Many dogs can learn to enjoy grooming

14/08/2021

A dog in Fort Worth, Texas, is so protective of the family’s 3-month-old baby girl that even her mother’s arm gets pushed away. TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie has your Morning Boost.

13/08/2021

When a child is beginning to face outward, their eyes are large, facing straight on. They go from being in someoneʻs arms and being rocked to facing forward intensely, that can be a very big change for many dogs. Newborns and young babies’ eyes are very intense and they hone in! Having a baby sitting up on your lap facing outward could be the first point of discomfort for some dogs.

It can be easy (and totally normal) to think that your dog is “fine” or adjusted to everything. But, the word “fine”, doesnʻt mean that your dog is comfortable, even if they still have gotten up and moved away or growled in an uncomfortable situation. Help us shift this thinking to:

❓What can we do to prepare, plan and prevent situations? What can we do to set up our dog and child for success?

👉 An example, Instead of having your baby face straight on directly at your dog, you can move your body or position baby to have side towards the dog.
👉 Another example, NEVER allowing a child to crawl up to or on, reach for or grab the family dog

We also have to change our expectations that our family dog should tolerate or put up with uncomfortable situations. We all are constantly growing and increasing our Dog Aware skills, and we donʻt speak dog (shucks!) They're constantly giving us subtle signals, but we can learn what to look for and how they communicate so that we are able to recognize and intervene when we see signs of stress and discomfort. Increasing our Dog Aware skills is a life long learning experience!

Maybe the baby is starting to move in the direction of the dog and you see your family dog’s ears perk up, or they lower their head or licks its lips. That is a signal! That’s giving information, time to intervene. Knowing what you are seeing is the first step! 😊

👍😚Thank you for helping us create Dog Aware Generations! Please reach out if you need help or just have questions.

16/07/2021

This is an interesting article. While it applies to children, there are some key takeaways for dogs as well. If we look at 'praising the process', this is basically what we are doing when we shape a new behavior using a clicker or another marker. Many positive reinforcement trainers use this method to build confidence in shy dogs and puppies.

Parents want their kids to feel good about themselves, but psychologists agree that overpraising can be harmful. Here are the common mistakes to avoid.

04/07/2021

The topic of housetraining a puppy, or older dog, is one that comes up many times a day the world over. Visit my blog for the inside scoop on potty training.

28/06/2021

Such an elegant training method. Mirror the energy you would like from the dog and reinforce desirable behavior.

27/06/2021

Pet experts and parents offer advice you can keep both your pup and children safe.

24/06/2021

LOL so true!

Kobe Norman 🐶🦈😂😂😂😂

16/06/2021

Love this video from The Family Dog!

12/06/2021

✅ Dogs need space when enjoying their meals or yummy treats.

🧒👧 Unsteady toddlers and children should not have access to their dog while they are engaging in eating. Using a gate or having a dining station in a separated room will allow safety and stress free dining for your pup. 👉You can even set up this space for your dog if youʻre having a gathering at your house with adults! It doesn't only have to apply to babies and toddlers.

🚫 Even if your dog tolerates their familiar adults taking food, toys or high value treats or bones away should NOT be expected to behave the same with other dogs, children or unfamiliar adults. ‼️ Give dogs space! Stay out of their face!

🦴 Dogs with a Bone....Leave them alone!

⚠️ If the item is dangerous or needs to be removed, use your head and make an exchange instead! Then be sure to teach and practice "leave it" before you need it!

09/06/2021

I wonder who feels worse about the end of work at home - the dogs or the owners?

Despite lockdown restrictions now easing, over a third (34%) of pup owners have been skipping social plans with their friends to hang out with their dog

08/06/2021

Wonderful blog by Patricia McConnell on dog/baby safety and preventing bites. Check out Family Paws Parent Education for more information.

Dogs. Babies. Adorable. Unless you’re a trainer or behaviorist, and cover your eyes while watching some of the “cute” on line videos, showing young children at risk of being bitten because the dog was radiating discomfort while the parents cooed and laughed. People like me, CAABs (Certified Ap...

04/06/2021

22/05/2021

This is a stuffed dog and a doll. Never let a real baby do this! Nice blog article from Family Paws Parent Education

When setting up success stations it is important to keep some important points in mind. What works in your home for a baby under 3 months may change quickly for a baby at 5 months. Management will change constantly for the first 3 years! How you might ask? Let’s talk about an example. You may have...

24/04/2021

23/03/2021

Gaining trust is key to prevention of resource guarding

If your dog growls, bare teeth and/or hovers around toys, chews, resting areas, the food bowl, etc., contact a professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods to modify this behavior.

Behaviors are not unlearned. Modifying and managing undesirable behavior like guarding resources are the goal.

This exercise is for adults only .

20/03/2021

Here are some wonderful ideas on greeting behaviors in children and dogs. I love the concept of teaching dogs the shoulder target. It helps the dog keep all four feet on the ground and keeps those nippy puppy teeth away from little hands and legs.

This is my entry to the 2011 Canis Film Festival (www.canisfilmfestival.com), sponsored by Karen Pryor Clicker Training. It won 1st Runner Up! I made this ...