Please Don't Bite the Baby (and Please Don't Chase the Dogs)

September 7, 2015
Parents who consider their dogs part of the family will love how therapy and service-dog trainer Edwards (A Dog Named Boo) documents her management of the relationship between her infant son, Indy, and her three sometimes challenging dogs. She shows how the behavioral guidance required for pet and child is often similar, whimsically referring to Indy’s Ferber-style sleep guidance as “crate training.” More seriously, she emphasizes that even good dogs can make horrible mistakes in sudden moments of stress or fear, injuring children and possibly leading beloved pets to be euthanized. Edwards stresses the importance of recognizing that a new baby represents a huge change in a dog’s environment, one requiring careful training and desensitization. She encourages readers to heed her safety maxim: “When in doubt, get the dog out.” Each chapter is divided in half, with the first part consisting of personal stories, and the second part filled with practical training tips, such as using commands, handling visitors, and watching for dogs’ social cues. Edwards’s understanding of canine psychology will give new parents the confidence to maintain a canine-filled household, with strong pointers on avoiding mishaps and tragedy.