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Pawsitively Safe Family Education

FAQ

I'm expecting a baby soon, what can I do to make my pet's transition easier?

There are many things you can do to make the transition easier. First it is important to give the pet, and baby their own separate spaces where neither is allowed. Second, learning body language cues and stress signals is essential to maintaining proper harmony in the home, so pets and children can safely co-exist. Third, providing emotional support with various supplements can make a huge difference in how pets handle and react to change.

With a consultation, I will go over these topics, plus more- so you can be assured your family is set up for success.

My pet has been very stressed since the baby has been born. I'm worried he is upset.

Bringing a new baby home can definitely change the family dynamic and put a stress on things. Including your pets. With solid preparation, good boundaries, training and even the occasional supplements, the transition can be made much easier.

I am thinking of getting a pet for my child, I want to make sure we get off to a good start. Can you help?

Of course! I think pets are an amazing addition to families with children. However, it is important to choose the appropriate pet for the family. I offer a Pre-Adoption consultation that can assist families in preparing for a new pet.

Getting a pet is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Going to the shelter and picking out a cute little puppy may result in financial stress, safety issues, and/ or a re-surrender. 

For example: Family who works many hours with 2 young kids, goes and picks out a fluffy little black dog from the shelter. This cute dog begins to grow rapidly. Into a rambunctious dog who starts destroying furniture, nipping at the kids, barking in the kennel, his fur is now matted, etc. He needs a job & training, but time does not allow for this. His fur requires regular grooming appointments, and finances and time are getting in the way. Stress builds, and a child is bit. The child is now injured, and traumatized, and the dog's life could be in jeopardy. All of this can be avoided if appropriate research is done prior to adopting a pet.

Helping families to pick the proper pet that fits their lifestyle is something I love to do!

My dog/ cat has gotten aggressive with my child but I don't want to rehome my pet. Is there anything we can do?

Definitely. Establishing clear boundaries and setting in place proper leadership does wonders. Often times, these situations arise because there is a lack of structure and no space where the pet can retreat to get away from a child. With a consultation, measures will be set in place to teach you, as well as the child how to safely interact with the pet, and how you can read their body language to avoid these unwanted scenarios.

I would like to get my child to assist  with the proper care of our pets, how can I safely get them involved?

It is great for children to be involved in age appropriate chores, including the care of family pets. I will assist in implementing a daily plan with a chart that you can follow, so everyone is able to take on age appropriate responsibilities of pet ownership.

Help! My toddler will not leave the pets alone!

Setting up "Safety Zones" is very important. Giving pets and toddlers their own space to retreat is crucial to avoiding conflict. At this age, it is also vital to start implementing appropriate interactions and teaching good skills on how to safely interact with different animals.

The Pawsitively Safe Consultation seems like it could be very informative. What will we all learn?

SO MUCH! I will review all areas the pet has access to, and suggest changes to environment to ensure safety, I will teach you and your children how to read signs of stress in pets (this includes fun handouts)! If your kids are older, they can even participate in a board game all about dog body language and bite prevention!

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