Tails & Toddlers - Introducing Dogs to Your Children with Tracey Costa

02/04/25 • 61 min

Thinking about adding a dog to your family? Bringing a dog into a home with young children can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with important considerations. In this episode, we explore how to choose the right breed or temperament, prepare your home and kids for a new pet, and ensure a smooth introduction. Learn how to involve children in training and care, tackle common challenges, and know when to seek professional help. Plus, our expert guest, certified professional dog trainer, Tracey Costa, CPDT-KA, CNWI, NACSW, shares invaluable insights on strengthening the bond between kids and their furry companions, as well as must-know resources for new dog owners. Tune in for practical advice and heartfelt guidance to help your family create a happy, lasting relationship with your new four-legged friend!!

Find Tracey Costa at Positive Note Dog Training!

Resources:
Family Paws: Creating Dog Aware Generations
Doggone Safe Educational Resources - The Pet Professional Guild
i Speak Dog
101 Dog Tricks - Kids Edition on Amazon
Living with Kids and Dogs - Colleen Pelar, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Links to Dog Training Professionals:
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
The Pet Professional Guild
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior

Disclaimer
VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor) Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!
Use Promo Code PETPOD22, to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10%.Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement.
You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.
Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning around any body of water...

Find Tracey Costa at Positive Note Dog Training!

Previous Episode

Regenerative Medicine for Osteoarthritis with Dr. David Dycus

This episode offers a compassionate exploration of how regenerative medicine, particularly biologics, can bring relief to our beloved pets suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). With warmth and expertise, David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, discusses treatment options like platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and joint injectables such as steroids, hyaluronic acid, and synthetics. Each approach is carefully explained, highlighting the factors that guide their use. Partnering with your veterinarian can help you make the best choices for your furry family member’s comfort and well-being. OA can be challenging, but this episode provides hope, guidance, and the tools to ask the right questions to help your pet feel their best.
Find Dr. Dycus at his specialty practice, Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics (fusionvetortho.com)
Instagram - fusionvetortho
Consulting business - DrDavidDycus.com
Instagram - ortho_vet

Next Episode

Ruff Ramp - an Alternative for Stairs - with Larry Backes

Mobility issues are a challenge many pet owners face, and Ruff Ramp offers a life-changing solution. In this episode, we welcome Larry Backes, dog enthusiast and creator of the Ruff Ramp - a thoughtfully designed mobility aid that helps dogs navigate stairs with ease, confidence, and safety. Larry’s journey began with his beloved dog, Montana, whose medical condition inspired him to engineer a robust ramp with a multitude of design features you do not even know your pet needs. We’ll discuss how Ruff Ramp differs from traditional ramps with its gentle slope, cleats, and guardrails to benefit dogs with arthritis, neurological conditions, or injuries. Larry shares customer success stories (watch Zeus now), insights into the testing and materials used, as well as versatile customization options. Tune in to learn how this innovative product for dogs of any size can be a game-changer for your pet’s mobility, comfort, safety, and overall well-being.

Find Larry Backes and his Ruff Ramp products at RuffRamp.net
Get 10% off by using Promo Code PETPOD22 when you place your order!
See 15 y.o. Dachshund, Zeus, conquering ~20 stairs with his Ruff Ramp!