If you are a birth worker, such as a doula, midwife, lactation consultant or night nurse, who sees clients in their own homes, there is a very good chance that you will interact with family pets. Because families are hiring you to help them ease their transition into new parenthood, their pets (dogs, in particular) will play a large part into the new family dynamic. And let's be honest - they are hiring you because you are a baby expert...not because you are a dog expert. And why should you be? But the truth of the matter is that you may notice some unsafe behavior in the family dog that worries you about the future safety of the new baby...and the sanity of the new parents. In this podcast episode, I discuss what red flags to look for in dogs before baby comes home, and what to do if you are concerned about dog and baby safety.

Dog Red Flags for In-Home Birth Workers

1. Download this free guide outlining which red flags in dogs dogs might ultimately impact dog and baby safety: https://poochparenting.net/baby-professionals/
2. If your client says:
   • "my dog doesn't like kids."
   • "my dog is reactive and I am worried about his response to baby"
   • "our dog has a bite history."
   • "I wish I understood my dog better."
   • "I'm worried our dog will be jealous / overprotective of the new baby."
3. If YOU feel unsafe around the dog at any point working with this family, entering their home, or even when you get up to leave
4. If the dog currently sleeps in your client's bed or in the room where the baby will be sleeping

What to do if parents need extra support

• Refer out to a dog and child specialist, such as me at Pooch Parenting.
• Sometimes, dogs need medical support in order to make more progress with issues like anxiety and fear. Working in combination with me and a veterinary behaviorist can often offer the relief families and their dogs need to provide a safe environment for baby to thrive.
• The Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon is an excellent option for veterinary behavior support. Even if you don't live in Oregon, they may be able to share their expertise and collaborate with your own local vet.

I also discuss some simple tips for bringing baby home to meet the dog, why bringing home a baby blanket from the hospital is not a good idea, and where dogs should sleep.

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

Moms are often very busy, so it's understandable that they might try to do family outings that meet the needs of their kids and dogs at the same time. But unfortunately, dog parks are not a safe place to bring children. So, if the question ever enters your mind, "should I bring the kids with me to the dog park?", please opt out and consider what else might be an appropriate outing.

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

The single most prevalent piece of dog and newborn advice that I see on social media is for people to bring home the hospital baby blanket for your dog to sniff before baby comes home. I wanted to bust this myth and to share how at the very best, this misguided advice could be neutral...and at the worst, it could even be dangerous.

Why people advise to bring home the hospital baby blanket for your dog to smell

1. They think that simply smelling something will build a positive association
2. It's doable, which must be better than nothing, right?
3. In dog training, we often expose dogs to certain stimuli to make positive associations. So the same concept should apply here, right? (hint - NO)

Risks of bringing home the baby blanket for the dog to sniff

• This step is rushed and no effort is made to pair the blanket with good things from the dog's perspective
• If a parent leaves the blanket unattended with the dog, it could be used as a dog bed, could be torn up or used to play tug - all of which could be dangerous when baby comes home and wears a blanket later
• The blanket smells like the hospital, nursing staff, and many other pungent odors - what is the dog really smelling?
• It can get the dog too excited about the arrival of the baby later.

Other supportive resources for parents with dogs

Looking for some confidence about navigating life with your dog and newborn? Get on the waitlist for Paws to Pacifiers, my live 6-week small group program for expecting or adopting parents with dogs. This program is only offered three times a year, so by signing up for the waitlist, you will be the first to hear when registration opens again.

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