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Pooch Parenting

Podcast Pooch Parenting
Michelle Stern
The Pooch Parenting Podcast is a podcast for parents with dogs. Living with kids and dogs at the same time can feel like a circus - I know because I'm a mom and...

Available Episodes

5 of 88
  • 88. Loving and Letting Go: Navigating Behavioral Euthanasia
    In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, I'm tackling one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching topics for dog-loving families: when to consider behavioral euthanasia for a dog with a significant bite history. This is a decision no parent ever wants to face, and it’s one filled with complex emotions, from love and guilt to grief and responsibility.As a dog behavior consultant who specializes in helping parents raising kids and dogs together, I understand how deeply we bond with our dogs and how agonizing it can be to weigh our love for the family dog, quality of life and the well-being and safety of our families. Today, I’ll explore how to assess your situation, when it might be time to say goodbye, and how to support your children through this challenging time. Most importantly, I’ll do it with empathy, compassion, and an understanding that love is at the heart of every decision you make.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Worried about Growling? Get my free guide: ABC's of Growling: https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling/ Looking for QUICK answers to your dog and child questions? Just ask and my custom tool will give you the answer: www.poochparenting.net/askpoochparenting
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  • 87. From Rough to Respectful: Teaching Kids to Handle Dogs Gently
    In this episode of the Pooch Parenting Podcast, we’re diving into a topic that many parents face: what to do when your toddler or young child is too rough with the family dog.Maybe you’ve caught your little one pulling the dog’s tail, giving overly enthusiastic hugs, or even climbing on them like they’re a jungle gym. You love both your child and your dog, but you’re worried about how these interactions might affect their safety and their bond.The good news is, rough behavior is a common phase in childhood, and with the right strategies, you can help your child learn to interact with your dog in a gentle, safe, and positive way. In this episode, we’ll explore why this happens, how to set your child and dog up for success, and what to do when things get a little too rough.So, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just looking for tips to make life smoother for your family, you’re in the right place.Why Rough Behavior HappensCuriosity and lack of impulse control are normal developmental behaviors in toddlers and young childrenKids and parents can misunderstand dog body language and can think this type of behavior is acceptable.Examples of typical rough behaviors: pulling tails, climbing on the dog, hugging too tightly, etc.Why Rough Handling of Dogs Is a ProblemPotential risks: stress for the dog, fear, growling, or even biting.Rough handling can damage the child-dog bond over time.Many parents (and kids, of course) miss common dog stress signals (ie, lip licking, yawning, avoiding the child).Setting Toddlers and Young Kids Up for Success Around DogsSupervision: Always be paying attention when dogs and kids are in the same space and when they are interacting with each other. Separation: Use barriers like baby gates or playpens when supervision isn’t possible.Safe Spaces: Teach children that the dog’s bed or crate is off-limits. If the dog is on the sofa or resting anywhere, they should be left alone, as if surrounded by hot lava.Teaching Toddlers and Young Kids to be Gentle with DogsAge-appropriate ways to teach children how to interact with dogs gently. Modeling soft petting.Using stuffed animals to practice gentle touch.Role-playing with the child.Read some of my favorite books with your toddlers, including: Tails are Not for Pulling, Hands are Not for Hitting and Love Me Gently.Clear and consistent rules (e.g., no hugging or climbing on the dog).Managing Expectations for ParentsSetting realistic boundaries for what the dog can tolerate based on its temperament and age.Avoid placing the dog in situations where rough handling might happen.Strengthening the Child-Dog BondActivities where kids can positively engage with the dog under supervision (e.g., training tricks, feeding, or tossing a toy).Reinforcing good beThank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Worried about Growling? Get my free guide: ABC's of Growling: https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling/ Looking for QUICK answers to your dog and child questions? Just ask and my custom tool will give you the answer: www.poochparenting.net/askpoochparenting
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  • 86. Dogs, Kids and Parties: Navigating Safety for All
    Picture this: A parent is hosting a lively party. The house is full of guests, kids are running around, and the family dog is right in the middle of it all. It seems like a perfect celebration—until something goes terribly wrong. Amid the chaos, the dog, overwhelmed and unsupervised, bites a guest. What started as a joyful gathering has now turned into a stressful and regrettable situation.In this episode, we’ll unpack this story, which happened to a client of mine living in San Francisco, to understand what went wrong and, more importantly, how you can prevent something like this from happening at your own events. We’ll explore:How dogs react to busy social environments, especially if they aren't used to them.The impact of parental overwhelm on managing kids and pets during parties.Practical strategies to keep everyone—dogs, kids, and guests—safe and happy at social events.Whether you’re planning a holiday get-together, a birthday party, or just a casual hangout with friends, this episode will equip you with the tools to navigate these situations with confidence.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Worried about Growling? Get my free guide: ABC's of Growling: https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling/ Looking for QUICK answers to your dog and child questions? Just ask and my custom tool will give you the answer: www.poochparenting.net/askpoochparenting
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  • 85. My Top Holiday Gift Pick for Kids Living with Dogs
    I'm excited to share my holiday gift pick of the year for families with kids and dogs - Hide and Scent - The Ultimate Game of Hide and Seek for Dogs, Kids Edition. It's a fun and simple nose work game for dogs and children to play together. It offers dogs and kids a safe way to interact that doesn't require physical contact - a huge win for dogs who may be shy, fearful or even those who are overly excited.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Worried about Growling? Get my free guide: ABC's of Growling: https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling/ Looking for QUICK answers to your dog and child questions? Just ask and my custom tool will give you the answer: www.poochparenting.net/askpoochparenting
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  • 84. Separation is Not the Same as Isolation when Managing Kids and Dogs
    A lot of my clients seem to be very uncomfortable with the idea of separating their dog and child for safety reasons. But I recently had an epiphany - they all assumed that separation was the same as isolation. And it's not.Using management strategies, such as using a pen to cordon off an area for a child to play, provide separation between the dog and child. But neither the dog or child is isolated. Everyone can still see each other. The parent can still interact with everyone. And with time and patience, everyone can be very comfortable and safe with such an arrangement.So now, I am always reminding clients that "Separation is not the same as isolation." It's simply a way for parents to function and do the impossibly difficult job of raising kids and dogs together.Thank you for listening! Want to learn more about Pooch Parenting and how we can help you? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Worried about Growling? Get my free guide: ABC's of Growling: https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling/ Looking for QUICK answers to your dog and child questions? Just ask and my custom tool will give you the answer: www.poochparenting.net/askpoochparenting
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About Pooch Parenting

The Pooch Parenting Podcast is a podcast for parents with dogs. Living with kids and dogs at the same time can feel like a circus - I know because I'm a mom and have lived it too. Join us as we answer listener questions and interview a variety of parenting and dog experts and parents to discuss topics that will make parenting with dogs easier, safer and less chaotic. If you enjoy these episodes or feel like they have helped your family, please subscribe, leave a review or tell a friend. xo Michelle
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