244. How to Integrate Dogs and Kids at Home with @dogmeets_baby

Today on the show we are talking with Dominika from Dog Meets Baby. Dominika is a certified dog trainer who works specifically with families who have a dog and are bringing home a new baby or have kiddos and are bringing home a new dog. She helps to make the transition smooth for both kiddos and canines! Dominika’s first piece of advice if bringing a new baby home to the family dog is to have a plan - don’t wing it. If you are able to, practice! We go through some details of how to do this in today’s episode. Don’t forget to plan where your dog will go or who will stay with them while you are in the hospital for delivery!If you feel your family is ready to add in a canine companion, it’s important to choose a dog that will fit into your family’s lifestyle. Dominika shares her insight on several points to consider when picking a dog. Is there a magic age that your kiddos should be before adding a dog to the family? Dominika tells us the age, based on the research, and a bit of an explanation behind it. The last thing any parent wants to happen is your dog biting your child. Dominika tells us that we should have safety rules set in place that will prevent bites. But also what to do if it does happen. Ensure you have a safe and happy home set up for your kids and your dog to cohabitate with Dominika’s checklist we’ve linked for you down below. Children and dogs take a lot of care and attention, finding that happy balance spending time with both will create a happy dog and a happy family!Links & Resources:Enroll in the HERself Self-Care CourseFollow Dominika on InstagramDominika’s WebsiteDog Meets Baby Blog Post: How to Select a Dog for a Family with Young KidsDog Meets Baby Preparation ChecklistFree Shipping at GOODR with code ‘HERSELF’20% off your purchase at ThorneLet’s connect!HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcastHERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcastMEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskieferMEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen