So Much PETential

I am very appreciative to Family Paws Parent Education, for spotlighting me in their last newsletter. I am proud to be a licensed Family Paws educator, preparing families with dogs for life with a baby or toddler to increase safety and decrease stress.

I was asked in the spotlight, why I chose to become a licensed educator. Below is my answer:

Family pets were an important part of my own childhood. Our dog was my best friend and confidant, so I understand the value in a dog-child and dog-family relationship.

I get why parents want their dog to be that friend to their young child. I get why their dog is such an important family member. Yet I often see, dogs, adults, and kids stressed when that dynamic is challenged. I want to do what I can to help these families see success.

While I couldn’t have my own children, I enjoy teaching, mentoring and bringing out the best in children (and companion animals) which is why I began kids’ classes on dog friendship.

This has led me to my work as a Family Paws educator. Supporting growing families that include a baby or toddler and a dog is a passion for me. This is a time of so much joy, and change…and, yes, stress. There are a lot of considerations when it comes to creating increased safety and less stress. It begins with education and planning ahead. Family Paws equips me with the knowledge, support and network I need, to be able to pass along to parents.

This is Winnie. Isn’t she precious? She is a 3 year old Australia. labradoodle. I love her beautiful brown eyes, her youthful spirit, and the feel of her fur as she pushes her body into mine for full body rubs. She is a sweetheart through and through.

Winnie shares her home with two human parents and a two-month-old human baby sister. As can often happen for even the most gentle, laid-back dog companions, living with a baby can create stress for everyone.

I am so glad Winnie’s parents are pro-active in bringing me on board to support them in planning for increased safety, less stress and more harmony for everyone.

Families like hers are why I invest the time into my own learning growth as a licensed Family Paws Parent Education parent educator. It is such important, fulfilling work to be able to help growing families in this way.

Are you an expecting parent, or parent of a newborn, toddler or young child? I’d love to be of help to your family too!

For Throwback Thursday, I want to re-share this reminder. Your pet is much more likely to want to listen to you when your pet feels he is being listened to. What are some ways in which your pet communicates wanting to stop an interaction and how do you react? What are some ways in which your pet communicates enjoyment with what you are doing?

One of the most sincere forms of respect (we can give),
is actually listening to what another has to say.
Bryant H. McGill

I love and value this quote so much. When we practice being
present
aware
curious
accepting

we are opening ourselves up to learning, growing, empathizing,
and understanding.

This is how we build mutually beneficial relationships.
It is how we foster cooperation.
It is how we can inspire the best in each other.

When any of us feel like we are being heard, we feel more valued and we tend to value the listener more too. It allows us to be more open in future communication. It encourages us to want to do more, be more. We just enjoy being around that listener more.

The thing is, listening is not only about human communication.

The non-human animals we share our lives with, are also always communicating – just in different ways.

Our dogs, cats, parrots and other species use their own unique body language to communicate stress or joy,
fear or anger,
desires for basic needs.

Learning how your pet communicates,
listening to your pet,
advocating for your pet,
and doing your part to support your pet

will increase your pet’s quality of life (and yours), increase your pet’s motivation to engage with and learn from you, and strengthen your relationship.

~ Lisa Desatnik

Meet Roxey! A friend I met this week, a precious lap lover who loves to play, learn and hunt for food. 😊

THREE of my early considerations in working on a dog (or pet parrot) behavior case:

When I receive a call for a dog or bird behavior assessment, there is a lot that I delve into with my client. I want to learn as much as I can about potential distant and immediate factors that can be contributing to the frequency and intensity of the behavior (s).

These are typically among my early considerations moving forward:

Is there anything physiologically going on with the pet?
What changes can be made to support safety?
What changes can be made to lower stress?