Veterinary and allied pet care professionals are frequently called upon after a dog behaves aggressively or bites a person. They are also commonly asked to advise expectant parents on how to introduce a new baby to the dog(s) in their household. Most curricula and training programs do not prepare veterinary and pet care professionals on how to advise or answer these questions. "Let them sniff the blanket" is certainly not very helpful.

After an incident people commonly state that the dog seemed to bite "out of the blue," however we know that bites are often a symptom of a larger (usually chronic) problem that may have been avoided with proper education, intervention, and management. Dogs often provide warning signs well in advance of a bite, and with an awareness of their body language and behavior many dog bite scenarios can be avoided. Cornerstones of dog bite prevention include being "dog aware," having safety protocols in place, and managing the environment where humans and dogs coexist.

In dog-owning households with children there are a number of additional factors that adults need to consider to keep kids safe. In addtion, the human pregnancy, infant, and toddler phases are each very different, and with respect to human and animal interactions, each phase has its unique challenges, risks and solutions.

Veterinary and pet care professionals are well-positioned to guide and support all pet owners in dog bite prevention as well as baby / toddler safety in dog-owning households. This 4-part webinar series serves to inform veterinary and pet care professionals on general dog behavior and safety, and how to better educate and support families with dogs and children. Through a better understanding of the dog as a canid species, as well as their developmental stages and impacts on behavior, we can support and guide families in how to prevent bites and decrease the risks of a dog being relinquished, rehomed, or euthanized. Participants of this Program will come away with a better understanding of how to prevent dog bites and how to support families with knowledge and guidance regarding relationships between children and dogs. These principles apply to many different scenarios including interactions of dogs with persons with special needs and physical or mobility challenges

Course Description:

Part I: Bonds and Bites 

• Dog bites including incidence, risk factors, and prevention techniques
• A better understanding of the dog as a species, their needs, and canine development with an emphasis on the critical socialization phase and how it relates to canine behavior
• A discussion of the veterinary / pet care professional's role in providing education and support to families with dogs and children

Part II: Pregnancy and Homecoming 

• Assessing and understanding canine body language including subtle signs of fear, anxiety, and stress
• Planning and preparation of a household for the introduction of a new baby to the family dog
• Safety plans and management strategies that allow for inclusion of the dog when an infant arrives home from the hospital

Part III: Zero to Six  

• The stages of infant development from birth through 6 months of age, and the potential impacts on the family dog
• Perinatal / postpartum mood disorders and the potential impacts on the human-animal bond
• How to prepare safety plans and provide for effective supervision
• Recommendations for keeping the human-animal bond strong and healthy as the infant in the home grows and develops

Part IV: Dog Aware 

• The stages of infant development from 6 months through 1 year of age and the changes in family dynamics
• The ongoing changes and impacts associated with toddlerhood on the aging family dog
• Creation of dog aware generations
• Family friendly techniques in the veterinary practice setting and resources for clients

Approved for 4 hours of CE credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians by AAVSB RACE and NY state
Approved for 4 hours of CEU credit by IAABC and for behavior consultants by CCPDT

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