Hi! I’m Michelle Stern. Here’s what I believe about parenting kids and dogs.
You love your dog and your child. Of course you do. But if you’re being honest, sometimes they can be difficult to live with. Perhaps they make too much noise, are too clingy, don’t “listen”, and get into trouble. And let’s face it – the stakes are high when you are raising kids and dogs together.
It’s easy to hope for a quick fix and to “train” the annoying behavior away. But teaching isn’t always the answer. So, what is?
Before we can resolve any of the challenging issues you might be facing with your dogs and kids , you need to understand all of the contributing factors to their behavior. Together, we will put on our detective caps and dig into the “why” of your dog’s behavior. That will provide us some clarity so that I can help you adjust expectations for everyone’s behavior, translate what’s causing trouble from the dog’s or child’s perspective, and help your family meet those needs. I will also give you strategies to adjust your home and routine, so that your whole family can live together in harmony.
I’m not just a Family Dog Mediator, certified dog behavior counselor, trainer, fear free professional, and dog foster mom, I was a teacher for 16 years. I’m also a mom of a biological daughter and an adopted son. I know what it’s like to parent kids and dogs at the same time.
Pooch Parenting does not use fear, pain or intimidating strategies when it comes to working with dogs or people.The methods I use are based on the latest science of animal learning and behavior, and have the added benefit of being the most effective, most humane and most fun way to train!
Presentations and Appearances
- TV, Radio and Podcast appearances
- Guest Expert, Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs VIP Mentor Program, 2023
- Presenter: Kindness is Essential, Not Optional online summit (4 times – 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Presenter: Dog Wisdom Workshop online summit (3 times, 2022, 2023)
- Presenter: CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) annual conference, 2021
Certifications and Professional Development
Because you want what’s best for your dog, it’s important that you can trust that your dog professional has taken care to stay up to date on the most effective methods of learning and behavior.
My credentials and professional development include (but are not limited to…)
- Certified Family Dog Mediator
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Canine Behavior Counselor – Trish King’s Academy of Dog Behavior
- Certified Fear Free Dog Professional
- LEGS Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation Professional Course
- Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashio
- Animal Assisted Play Therapy online conference
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) online conference (several years)
- Mission Possible 2-Day Workshop on Separation Anxiety with Malena DeMartini
- Defensive Handling Skills 2-Day Workshop with Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) conference in Portland, Oregon
- I have been a guest on TV shows and several podcasts (see my Media page for details)
Testimonials
I found our saving grace! Michelle understands my daily struggles and speaks my language. I have just started working with her and have already made so much progress with our puppy. I love having Michelle in my corner so that life in my house feels calmer and safer.
Ashley H.
Toddler and Puppy Mom
Michelle and I did a video consult because I am not local. Setting up the consult was super easy and we had no issues. She was very easy to talk to and I felt like I had my questions answered with detailed explanations and plenty of patience. I have two young children and two large dogs. We discussed ways to get my kids more involved with the dogs, games to play, and how to help the kids not be afraid of the dogs taking treats from their hands. I 100% would contact Michelle again for more help if needed.
Jamie B.
Virtual consult. Mom.
