Kids & The Family Dog

The course covers breed temperaments and characteristics that work well with children, including Labs, Golden Retrievers, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. More importantly, we teach you how to evaluate individual dog personality, energy level, and training history—which matters more than breed alone.

We compare puppies vs. rescue dogs for families with children. Puppies require intense training and socialization, while adult rescue dogs may have unknown histories but established temperaments. The course helps you evaluate what's realistic for your family's time, energy, and experience level.

The course provides step-by-step introduction protocols starting during pregnancy with baby scents and sounds, then carefully supervised meetings after birth. We cover reading dog body language, managing initial reactions, and creating positive associations between your dog and the new baby.

We teach pre-baby preparation strategies including introducing baby gear, practicing new routines, establishing boundaries around baby areas, and addressing behavioral issues before baby arrives. Starting preparation 2-3 months early gives your dog time to adjust gradually.

Jumping is a major safety concern with children! The course teaches consistent training techniques including teaching "four paws on floor," redirecting energy, and involving kids in training (age-appropriately). We address why punishment doesn't work and what positive methods do.

Resource guarding is a serious safety issue that requires professional help. The course teaches you to recognize early warning signs, management strategies (feeding in separate areas), and when to contact a certified dog behaviorist rather than trying to fix it yourself.

The course teaches you to assess safety through dog body language, stress signals, and behavioral changes. We cover supervision guidelines by child age, how to create safe interactions, and red flags that require immediate intervention or professional help.

We teach you to recognize stress signals including panting when not hot, lip licking, yawning, stiff body posture, whale eye (showing whites), and avoidance behaviors. Early recognition prevents escalation and helps you address issues before they become dangerous.

Seek professional help immediately if you see snapping, growling around children, resource guarding, or aggressive body language. The course teaches you red flags that require expert intervention and helps you find qualified trainers and behaviorists.

Training with children around requires modified approaches including shorter sessions, higher-value treats, and managing distractions. We show you how to involve age-appropriate children in training while maintaining consistency and safety.

The course covers age-appropriate child education including gentle touch, respecting dog space, not disturbing sleeping or eating dogs, and recognizing when dogs want to be left alone. We provide scripts and activities to teach these concepts.

Either timing works! If you're planning to get a dog, the course helps you choose the right match and prepare properly. If you already have a dog, it provides strategies for current challenges and preparation for family changes like new babies.

This course complements but doesn't replace hands-on professional training for serious behavioral issues. We teach you foundational concepts, safety awareness, and when to seek professional help. For aggressive behaviors or severe anxiety, you'll need an in-person certified trainer or behaviorist.

Yes! Most HSA and FSA plans reimburse family safety and child development courses. You'll get a detailed receipt to submit to your plan administrator for reimbursement.

Yes—15 days, no questions asked if you've completed less than 10% of the content. We're confident you'll feel more prepared to keep your family and dog safe together, but want you to feel completely comfortable with your investment.

Yes. We offer a no-questions-asked pay-what-you-can option . Every family deserves access to safety education for children and pets—cost shouldn't be a barrier to creating a harmonious home.