Giving families with dogs the tools to welcome home a new family member
Training services to help prepare you, your family and your dog for a new baby
Serving families with dogs and babies in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the surrounding area
Are You Expecting A Baby?
Bringing a new baby home can be overwhelming for everyone in the family, including your pets. We help Rhode Island dog owners and their dogs navigate your changing family dynamic so everyone is happy and safe when the big day arrives.
By preparing your animals before the baby comes home, you’ll be able to rest easy and focus on the task at hand – enjoying your new family member.
Baby Preparation
What we can help with:
Preparing Your Dog
Wondering how your dog will react to life with a new family member? We’ll help you identify areas where your dog may struggle, and form a plan for making your child’s arrival as smooth as possible for dog and family.
Safe & Smooth Introductions
Crafting a safe and positive introduction plan between your dog and baby is step one in creating a relationship for your dog and child. Our professional trainer will give you clear guidance on the best way to make introductions.
Crafting Safe Interactions Between Your Dog and Baby
Each interaction between your dog and new baby should be purposeful and planned, leading to a positive relationship.
Stroller Training (for your dog)
While strollers may be an afterthought for most dog owners, they can be a scary sight for most dogs – let alone walking next to one. We’ll help you get your dog used to a stroller, so they can accompany you on family walks.
Behaviors for life with baby
Life with a dog and baby doesn’t have to be hectic. From teaching your dog to relax on their bed, to not blowing up every time the doorbell rings, we’ll help you create behaviors for a peaceful transition into parenthood.
Preparing Your Dog
Wondering how your dog will react to life with a new family member? We’ll help you identify areas where your dog may struggle, and form a plan for making your child’s arrival as smooth as possible for dog and family.
Safe & Smooth Introductions
Crafting a safe and positive introduction plan between your dog and baby is step one in creating a relationship for your dog and child. Our professional trainer will give you clear guidance on the best way to make introductions.
Crafting Safe Interactions Between Your Dog and Baby
Each interaction between your dog and new baby should be purposeful and planned, leading to a positive relationship.
Stroller Training (for your dog)
While strollers may be an afterthought for most dog owners, they can be a scary sight for most dogs – let alone walking next to one. We’ll help you get your dog used to a stroller, so they can accompany you on family walks.
Behaviors for life with baby
Life with a dog and baby doesn’t have to be hectic. From teaching your dog to relax on their bed, to not blowing up every time the doorbell rings, we’ll help you create behaviors for a peaceful transition into parenthood.
How does training Work?
1. Contact us for a free 15-minute call! We’ll want to know about your dog, situation and your goals for training.
2. We train your dog at your home, our home, or out on the town depending on your training goals and individual dog.
3. You’ll enjoy a well trained dog as well as employing your own new skills.
Work with Michele
Looking for dog training help in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Massachusetts? We can help!
We help local Rhode Island clients with dog training, puppy training, and behavior modification and are able to help clients in the greater New England area with Board and Train Packages.
Why Train with Sirius Positive Dog Training?
Training for the Individual
Applied to 2 and 4-legged clients, we'll consider your individual needs and goals for life with your dog
Sound, Certified Advice
Informed by hundreds of education hours from some of the best minds in behavior, we're committed to giving our clients the most up-to-date training and guidance
Support from start to finish
Our clients enjoy an active partner in their dog's training. Well beyond our initial sessions, you'll enjoy a resource for support for years to come
Why Choose a Fear Free Certified Trainer?
Fear free training takes the battle of wills out of everyday interactions and care for your pet.
Rather than restraining (and stressing) our four-legged family members for regular check-ups, grooming, and other procedures, what if your dog would cooperate?
Fear Free Certified Dog Trainers work with clients to introduce cooperative husbandry that reduces dogs’ stress and fear when exams, injections, grooming and other procedures are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I prepare my dog for a new baby?
Whenever possible, advance preparation is always best. Dogs’ lives, like their owners, change dramatically when a newborn arrives. Preparation ahead of time will reduce the stress for all. We introduce your dog to items and events that are currently unfamiliar, teach behaviors that will help keep dogs out of trouble when the baby arrives and address any current canine behaviors that currently are or could become a concern when a newborn arrives.
We've already welcomed our newborn. Are we too late?
Not at all! It’s never too late to help your dog adjust to life with a baby. Whether your dog is currently having issues, or seems to be unfazed, it remains important to make sure you’re taking precautions for a safe and trusting relationship between dog and child. In addition, changes in management and training often are advisable as babies progress from stationary newborns to mobile stages (crawling, cruising, walking). These infant developmental stages all change the dynamics and perceptions for both child and dog.
What kind of skills will my dog learn?
There are several categories of skills and behaviors. There are foundation behaviors that are particularly important when babies and children are present; additional behaviors which are particularly useful around babies and children; and familiarization with and appropriate behaviors around unfamiliar equipment and gadgets.
In addition, dogs may find the introduction of a baby and the attendant changes to their home environment to be confusing: often simple management changes can reduce our dogs’ stress.