Got a question about dogs and babies or young children? I’ll try to answer at least one per month here in a good amount of detail.
Ask Your Question!
When Should We Add a New Dog?
Dear Madeline, Thank you so much for all of the helpful information on your blog- I’ve shared it far and wide with other parents/dog-owners! Our family dog passed away about six months ago, when my son (an only child) was 6 months old. We would like to have another dog at some point, but we also plan to have another child when our first is around 3 years old. We’re trying to think about the best time to bring a new dog into the mix. It was very easy (for us) having a dog with a newborn who left the dog alone, but I worry about the...
read moreOur Lab is a Magnet for the Baby
Hi Madeline, I stumbled upon your website when looking for ways to get my 1 year old to behave with the dog a little better. We did EXACTLY what you said not to do. Our lab is a magnet for the baby. She is what you would consider a “good dog” but a recent snow storm has had us cooped in the house for a week together and her tolerance has dropped and sent me searching for the right thing to do. We have started to keep them apart more, but I wanted to make sure I had some guidance from experienced people. Thank you for your...
read moreShould Dog Lick Baby?
“Is it OK for my dog to lick my baby? Does that mean he LIKES the baby…or is he TASTING the baby!?” I get this question a lot in my Dogs and Babies class. Licking seems like a good thing, right? Generally, it’s friendly, familiar, welcoming – something a dog does with someone he or she likes. Don’t we tell kids, “Oh, look! He gave you a kiss!”? (In fact, I have an early childhood memory of feeling so hurt one time when Clancy, a neighborhood beagle, licked a neighbor girl and not...
read moreWhat Should Baby See You Do With Your Dog?
I’m 6 months pregnant and own two basset hounds, and have been reading your magnetization posts with much interest! I do have one question – how important do you think it is to only let babies/small kids see their parents interacting with the dogs in “safe” ways? I’ll admit to sometimes cuddling/playing with my dogs in ways that I wouldn’t want my kids repeating with strange dogs (or even my dogs, if they’re in a bad mood) – things that my dogs will tolerate or even enjoy, but a) not all dogs will and b) I’m an adult who...
read moreHelp – My Dog is Sulky With Toddler!
Question: Hi i found your information on a website when trying to find out more about dog behaviour and would like to ask you about my female labrador. It’s difficult to define what is wrong with her and when her behaviour changed as there has been a few incidents and changes in her circumstances. I would go in to more detail after i have a reply from you. The main issue is that we have a toddler who is quite loud and active and our dog who has always been very patient and lovely has gradually become much more withdrawn. She has...
read moreWelcome!
I'm a San Diego dog trainer and a Mom to two boys, now 7 and 10. I used to manage the Behavior and Training department at the San Diego Humane Society and then started doing more and more work with dogs and babies/young children until it became my primary specialty. This website is to provide information about my dog training and baby preparation classes in San Diego and serve as a resource for expectant parents and families wanting to learn more about preparing dog for baby, bite prevention and fostering friendship between dogs and young children. I work on it a little at a time so please bear with the "in progress" state! 
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