Library Journal, 9/15/05
Many dog-training books are available, and certainly numerous books dispense advice on raising kids, but relatively few address both issues. A professional dog trainer and mother of three, Pelar provides here a remedy for the human/dog misunderstandings that can lead to dog bites (or worse), especially those involving children. Focusing on the tenets of "relationship, management, and training," Pelar presents age-specific chapters (from birth to teens) with advice on building good relations between the dog and the child, managing their interactions wisely, and training the dog to prevent problems from arising. In addition, she counsels when (and whether) to get a grown dog or a puppy, what to look for in a family dog, what to look out for in terms of temperament, and how to deal with the end of that special relationship because of death or permanent separation. (Although the author strives to provide the reader with skills to avoid such a situation, she acknowledges that occationally it is necessary to find a new home for a problematic dog.) A good addition to collections on parenting or pets in any public library.
-Kay Hogan Smith, Univ. of Alablam at Birmingham Libary, Lister Hill
Animal Sheltering Magazine, July/August 2006
Dogs like Lassie, Benji, and the Little Rascals' Petey illustrate the heartwarming bonds that children can have with dogs. But unless your dog is as saintly as Lassie and your kids are perfect little angels, the kid-dog combination can also make for mischief and messes. Colleen Pelar's book Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind gives parents a guide to managing both their two- and four-legged children
Kids and dogs are each capable of creating massive destruction on their own, so when they combine forces, even the most orderly home can sink into pure chaos. But, Pelar explains, it doesn't have to be that way. Whether bringing home a newborn or counting the days until the youngest goes away to college, parents can take steps to ensure that their home stays safe and tidy for both kids and dogs. Through the use of simple training, baby gates, and common sense, they can learn to keep everyone in the family happy and safe. Living with Kids and Dogs can be a great tool for shelters to help ensure successful dog adoptions to families. Even if you can't get every potential adopter to read the whole book, your shelter can use the tips to assure a smooth transition at home.
-Adam Goldfarb, Director of Companion Animal Services
Latham Letter
Living with Kids and Dogs … Without Losing Your Mind by Colleen Pelar is a must-read for parents who have kids and dogs or are contemplating acquiring a dog. Colleen gives practical advice that considers the needs of kids, dogs and parents. This goes far beyond the usual “supervise and control” mantra and gives workable approaches that empower the parent to advocate for both the kids and the dog.
The book is themed around the three keys to success, which are (in order of importance): relationship, management and training. Positive reinforcement techniques are described for helping to build a strong relationship between the dog and the family using various games and training exercises. Common sense management suggestions are made to help parents think of ways to prevent problems. For example, stealing from the counter can be prevented by putting food away. Training comes more easily when there is a strong foundation of mutual respect between the dog and the kids and when a household is well managed. Colleen advocates using positive methods with kids and dog and never resorting to punishment.
Topics covered in the book include, deciding to get a dog, choosing a dog, bite prevention, spotting serious behavior issues, essential equipment, babies and toddlers, preschoolers, elementary schoolers, teenagers and saying goodbye. A unique and very useful component of this book is the “Words for the Weary” section at the end of each chapter. This recognizes that sometimes a parent is just too busy to sit down and read or reread a whole book chapter and so the highlights are conveniently presented.
There are too many clever and original ideas in the book to list them all here, but a few examples illustrate the types of activities described. There is the “dog in the rope” game, where the kids click and treat the dog for lying calmly within a rope circle to keep him from interfering with their games – such a better way to use a rope than to tie the dog up! Another great technique is the double leash to prevent jumping. Two leashes are attached to the dog and the parent steps on one to prevent the dog from jumping while holding the other in the regular way. This stops the dog from jumping while preventing the handler from yanking the dog back with the leash. Don’t punish your dog for growling – this is surprising advice to most parents. Colleen explains this and many other dog behavior concepts that are important for parents to understand.
As a mother of teenagers and a professional dog trainer, Colleen Pelar has lived it all and she tells it like it is with humor, compassion and practicality. This book is highly recommended!
-Joan Orr, founder of DoggoneSafe
