If you’ve taken a class or done private training with me or found something particularly helpful in my work, please let me know what you think!
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Welcome!
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! 
Madeline’s Dogs and Babies class was a real eye opener for me. Although I am a dog trainer in addition to being a mom, Madeline showed me a different perspective on how my interactions with my baby and dog can really set my child up for success (or failure) in her future encounters with all dogs not just our own. I thought I had heard and read all the advice out there regarding dog and baby relationships, but the spin Madeline takes is new and fresh. It was not what I expected, but as I digested the information and my daughter grew older, I became aware of just how vital Madeline’s tips and point of view are in order to keep my daughter’s relationships with dogs harmonious and safe for both her and her canine friends.
The most important lesson that I learned was how dangerous it is to “magnetize” your baby to dogs. We all want our children to love the family dog, but the way we tend to go about it can put the baby and dog in dangerous situations. There’s a better way to foster your child’s love for animals and Madeline gives clear real life examples that you can follow so everyone in the family feels comfortable and safe with each other.
Everyone wants their dog to be part of the family and Madeline’s training methods and classroom teachings give clear, realistic approaches to help all new family members learn to co-exist in safe ways.
What I really enjoyed learning was not only to think about the safety of the child but to learn about how to understand what dogs might be thinking and experiencing with such new changes, such as a baby, in their environment.
As a mother of two young, active boys, and owner of a rescue dog, Madeline’s classes gave me the clarity of mind to help consistently manage and teach my children how to respect and interact with the family dog. At the same time her class gave me many tools to help my dog cope in a comfortable and safe manner as we all learn about one another with positive outcomes.
I truly believe in the power of positive reinforcement training! Thanks to Madeline’s class and ongoing tutorials, I am now reaping the benefits with having consistently kept my awareness going with my children around dogs- both familiar and unfamiliar. Whether a dog trainer, educator, an expectant mother, a new dog owner or dog sitter, Madeline offers wonderful guidance on how to have each family member be successful both short and long term. It can be a win-win for everyone!
I loved that the focus of the Dogs and Babies class is on giving parents practical tools to establish trusting and respectful relationships between dogs and the new members of the family. Madeline’s class provides enjoyable games and exercises that liven up the serious and important work of keeping harmonious relationships in a hectic and changing home.
I want to thank you so much for letting us attend the class on Saturday. We learned SOOOO much and really enjoyed Madeline. Her knowledge and understanding of animals is exceptional and the information that she provided was so informative. I would and will recommend this class to everyone I know.
Thank you again.