Bringing Home Baby: Preparing Dog and Family For A New Baby
An online course to help prepare your dog and family for your new human baby. LEARN MOREBUY NOW
Before we get into the specifics of the course, let’s answer your first question:
Is this the right course for me and my dog?
If you’re expecting a baby and …
Are nervous about how to introduce dog and baby safely
Are not sure how your dog will adjust to life with baby
Have concerns over keeping your baby safe
Have anxiety about how your dog will feel about your new baby
Are concerned about how to juggle your time, energy and attention with both dog and baby
Feel overwhelmed with mixed information about how best to set dog and baby up for success
Then you have come to the right place. This course is here to provide you with the tools and education to navigate this time of transition with confidence and safety. I’m here to guide you.
By the end of this program, you will have:
A clear understanding
of the importance of inclusion, supervision and separation
Thorough knowledge
about how to keep your new baby safe, but also to spend quality time with your first child, your dog
Clarity about
whether you should bring the baby blanket home
The necessary tools
to train the cues important for safety and inclusion
Clear guidance on important topics like
sleeping logistics, attention seeking, and modeling behavior
Detailed instructions
on how to set up safe interactions between dog and baby
Creative ideas
to meet your dog’s needs when time and energy are short
A detailed plan
for homecoming and how to safely handle daily tasks like feeding and changing
An action plan for
what to do if your dog growls or is uncomfortable once baby comes home
Body language literacy in knowing
how dogs learn and communicate
… and so, so much more!
Please note: This course is a pre-baby prep course, not a fear and aggression course. While many elements of fear, how it is acquired, how to prevent it and training for positive conditioning are covered in the course, this course is not intended as a replacement for one-on-one training for dogs with existing fear or aggression issues towards children. There are many important and valuable topics covered in this course that are relevant for all dogs who will be expecting to live with a new baby, however dogs with known fear or aggression issues will also likely need a one-on-one fear and aggression consult.
What my clients are saying…
Finn & Family, Greenwich, CT
“Kate is the dog trainer you dream of finding. Kate combines impressive expertise, superb teaching skills and an obvious love of her craft to transform your dog into a family member.”
Maddie P. & Houston, NYC
“Putting it simply, Kate is the best. Truly, *the best*—the most invaluable resource we couldn’t have even in our wildest dreams imagined!”
Twix & Family, Clifton Springs, NY
“Kate was extremely helpful, thoughtful, and compassionate during a time of high stress and major life choices when our infant was added to the mix. She was a huge support and I cannot thank her enough. I want to refer anyone and everyone to her.”
Sign Up Today!
Bringing Home Baby: Preparing Dog and Family For A New Baby
Online Course18 Modules, including over 3 dozen, in-depth training video examples, enrichment videos and 3 dozen training plans and other handouts
Membership in a private Facebook community with scheduled group coaching sessions with Kate
A special discounted rate on one private video session
What’s Inside
The Course
Module 1: Introduction
- Welcome
- Congrats on your new addition, exciting maybe scary
- A little about me
- What we will be covering
- Note about if your dog is already afraid of children
Module 2: Dog Training Methods
- Understanding the dog training industry in the US
- Learning about different methods and why aversive punishment based methods are not advised
Module 3: Dog Body Language & Communication
- Learn how to “speak dog”
- Understand how dogs communicate
- Learn how to identify subtle signs of anxiety, worry or fear in your dog
- Examples of uncomfortable and comfortable dogs
- Video examples
- Discussion about appeasement behaviors
- Is your dog really “kissing” your baby?
Module 4: Modeling Good Behavior
- Learning the importance of being a good role model
- Setting a good example for your child not only with your dog but with other dogs they will engage with in the future
Module 5: What Your Dog Senses
- Does your dog know you’re pregnant?
- How dog senses differ and change their perception of things around them
- Should you bring the baby blanket hom?
- Knowing your dog’s sensitivities
Module 6: Attention Seeking Behaviors
- Are they safe?
- How to reduce them
- What play styles with dog and baby looks like and how that causes conflict
Module 7: What To Train
- Training cues for safety, cooperation and inclusion
- What to train
- Training process
- Video examples
Module 8: The Importance of Inclusion
- Why inclusion, not isolation is our focus
- How to set up safe inclusion for your day to day
Module 9: Practice Prepares Everyone
- Rehearsing cues ahead of baby’s arrival with distractions
- Practicing supervised separation
- How to introduce baby’s equipment and gear
Module 10: The Importance of Enrichment
- What is enrichment?
- Why is enrichment important?
- Ideas for implementing enrichment
- Exercising with outside access
- Video examples
Module 11: Separation and Supervision
- How to set up safe separation without isolation
- What is supervision?
- Understanding how manners invite more inclusion
Module 12: Before Baby's Arrival
- Prioritize what is important to practice ahead of baby’s arrival
- How to get dog adjusted to baby’s schedule
- Create a homecoming plan
- Introducing dog to helpers like a doula
Module 13: Realistic Expectation Setting
- Curating safe interactions
- How real life differs from Hollywood
- Building relationships over time
Module 14: Your First Days Home
- Where not to get your advice
- How to do your initial bringing baby home
- What NOT to do when bringing baby home
Module 15: Sleeping Arrangements
- Making a plan for safe sleeping whether you are co-sleeping, having a bedside bassinet or using a nursery
- Managing regular feedings in the middle of the night
- Coping with your dog’s sleep schedule being disrupted
Module 16: Dog and Parent Time
- The importance of dedicated bonding time
- Reducing impulsive thoughts like “maybe our dog would be better off somewhere else”
- Creating a support network
Module 17: Family Bonding Time
- Curating deliberate and safe family bonding experiences
- Stroller walks
- Solo walks with one parent and dog
Module 18: Bonuses and Additional Resources
- Additional resources
- Training plan handouts
- Additional downloads
- Facebook group membership
- Discount coupon for a private session
Fast-Action Bonuses
When you sign up during this promotional period, you’ll be eligible for some very special perks that are only available for a limited time.
Bonus #1: Private Facebook Community with Group Coaching
This is an exciting and scary time. There will invariably be ups & downs, highs & lows, and breakthroughs & regressions. It’s important that you have a community celebrate and troubleshoot all the parts of your journey, and that’s exactly what this group provides.
You will also have the chance to ask Kate questions or get guidance during her “Office Hours” in the group.
$197 value
Bonus #2: Special discounted rate for a 1:1 video session with Kate
If you feel stuck or just need some personal support in your journey, I’ve got you covered. You’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on a private lesson with me when you sign up for the course.
$25 savings
That’s a value of $222, that you’ll get just for signing up.
Meet Your Dogs and Baby Guide
Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, FFCP-E
Course Instructor
As a professional dog trainer and multi-credentialed certified behavior consultant specializing in fear and aggression, I’ve helped thousands dogs overcome issues their guardians thought were impossible – separation anxiety, fear of strangers, resource guarding, growling at kids and more. With nearly 7,000 hours of one-on-one training fearful dogs, I have the relevant experience to rescue you and your dog from behavior issues and help you both enjoy a better life.
Additionally, as a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator, I have specialized training to help your family learn how to live safely together with dog and baby, while meeting everyone’s needs and reducing stress in the home from these big life changes.
Sign Up Today!
Bringing Home Baby: Preparing Dog and Family For A New Baby
Online Course18 Modules, including over 3 dozen, in-depth training video examples, enrichment videos and 3 dozen training plans and other handouts
Membership in a private Facebook community with scheduled group coaching sessions with Kate
A special discounted rate on one private video session
FAQs
What if my dog is already afraid of children or babies?
This course is a pre-baby prep course, not a fear and aggression course. While many elements of fear, how it is acquired, how to prevent it and training for positive conditioning are covered in the course, this course is not intended as a replacement for one-on-one training for dogs with existing fear or aggression issues towards children. There are many important and valuable topics covered in this course that are relevant for all dogs who will be expecting to live with a new baby, however dogs with known fear or aggression issues will also likely need a one-on-one fear and aggression consult.
Why is this course different than other webinars or courses out there?
This course is a much more thorough education on dog behavior and how they learn, how they communicate, where fear comes from and so much more. It’s not just tips because in reality, there are no quick tips that will create safety for dog and baby. To truly have harmony and safety requires a deep understanding of dog behavior, animal learning, dog senses, dog body language, training mechanics, child development and how each of those stages presents different challenges for your dog, expectations and more. This course contains over 3 dozen training and enrichment videos to show you exactly what to do, dozens of specific training plans and handouts and gives you guidance for isolating your dog’s triggers and concerns.
Is there personalized support?
Graduates of the program are invited to join a private Facebook group which is a supportive community for you to ask questions and have an opportunity to attend office hours with Kate on a regular basis. One of your course bonuses is also a discount code for a single one-on-one private session with Kate if you feel you need additional personalized guidance.
Is my dog just angry, stubborn or jealous of the baby?
Absolutely not. While it can be easy to think this, the reality is, your dog is likely anxious about the changes in routine with the pregnancy or the birth. And, dogs don’t have the same depth of emotions as humans to experience things like guilt, revenge, jealousy, resentment or anger. It’s just not how they’re wired. This isn’t a choice he’s making.
Can I buy this as a baby shower gift?
Absolutely! What a great gift! Just purchase a gift certificate for the course amount and then contact me to let me know who your gift recipient is, along with their email and I’ll get them all set up with the course. Or, I can send you a digital gift certificate you can give them and they can contact me directly to get set up.
How do I access the course after I purchase it?
You can always access the course from My Account/My Courses at the top of this website!
I'm a trainer. Are there CEUs available?
Yes! This course is approved for CPDT-KA: 7.5, CPDT-KSA SKILLS: 7.5, СВСС-КА: 15 and PPAB: 17.5. I am still waiting for approval from IAABC.