Good Dog Happy Baby Preparing Your Dog for the Arrival of Your Child

Dog owners expecting a baby often have concerns. Can their dog adjust to not being their humans' one and only? Is it possible for a dog to love a new baby — or at least tolerate the bundle of joy? The author has seen dog owners feel forced to choose baby over dog and has created a do-able twelve-step process to make this unnecessary. Do-able means that busy expectant parents can easily incorporate these practices pre-birth. Wombacher helps readers emphasize the dog's place in the "human pack" and preempt competition; resolve problems like barking, jumping up, and separation anxiety; and acknowledge behaviors that simply aren't compatible with a new baby. Ample how-to photos and an attractive paper-over-board format make this a guide as practical as it is gift-worthy.

"Detailed training exercises teach dogs to respect critical areas such as the child's room and the space around the baby, and how to walk next to a stroller, all of which create a safe environment for both baby and pet. Most dog-training books...only have a general chapter about babies, making this specialized guide a recommended addition." Library Journal

"A maestro of dog trainers....[Wombacher] makes dog training fun for both pet and pet lover." Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony

For years dog trainer Michael Wombacher has worked with expecting dog owners to prevent problems between dogs and children. He has also unfortunately witnessed too many families forced to surrender their beloved family companions because they failed to prepare the dog for the arrival of a new family member. In Good Dog, Happy Baby, Wombacher lays out a twelve-step process that will give families the skills they need to navigate this new era of their lives. These skills include how to evaluate dogs, resolve common behavior problems, and fully prepare dogs for a new baby. This easy-to-use guide, filled with photos and simple instructions, makes a great gift for any expecting family with a dog, whether the dog is perfectly trained or in serious need of behavioral help.

Dog trainer Michael Wombacher has performed tens of thousands of private behavioral consultations. An author and lecturer, Mike teaches classes, runs a small boarding and training operation, and trains other trainers. Mike's training approach focuses on channeling a dog's natural drives and instincts into behaviors acceptable in the human pack, primarily through the principles of positive reinforcement as well as through methods that appeal to the dog's canine sensibilities. Mike has been certified as an expert on dog behavior by the California Superior Court and does occasional work evaluating dogs in legal matters. Mike has appeared on numerous shows including Animal Planet, Good Day New York, and A View from the Bay. He has worked with many celebrity clients and prominent tech clients. Mike is a regular contributing writer to American Dog magazine, a national publication with a circulation of 800,000 readers. Mike currently lives in Oakland, CA, with his little terrier, Telos.

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