Laurie Schulze,DVM

11/12/2025

11/10/2025

🐾🐶Not every dog wants to meet your child—and that’s okay.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Even friendly dogs can become overwhelmed, anxious, or scared when approached by children. Some dogs simply don’t have the social skills or confidence to handle unpredictable movements, loud voices, or sudden hugs.

Sometimes other pet parents will allow your child to pet their dog because they think it is safe when it really isn't or they are training their dog using your child as part of the training.

Either way, these interactions are frequently unsafe for the child and for the dog.

As adults, it’s our job to advocate for both dogs and kids:
👉 Always think about what is at risk before you ask if your child can pet an unknown dog. Is it worth a bite?
👉 Teach children to respect a dog’s space.
👉 Watch for signs of stress—lip licking, turning away, yawning, stiff body language.
👉 Keep interactions short, calm, and positive.

Let’s protect children and dogs by setting them up for success—not stress. ❤️

05/10/2025

07/30/2024

Let’s say it again! Babies grow up quickly! As soon as you become familiar with one stage, you enter into a new one. With fast and exciting growth can come a little uncertainty for our family dogs (sitting, crawling, walking, running and more!). It's important to keep this in mind when your baby reaches new milestones. Many families prepare with their dog for a new baby, we encourage parents and caregivers to prepare with their dog for life with toddlers too!

07/01/2024

How do you help your dog feel safe?

04/16/2024

An important post we had to share for ⚠️
・・・
As our children grow, it’s important to teach them the skills to interact with dogs safely. And, petting dogs is one of those skills to teach properly. We like kids to learn the phrase “one hand enough, two hands too rough!” from an early age.

When a child puts two hands on a dog, even if the interaction begins gently, it can escalate to rougher petting, grabbing, or hugging very easily. Teaching kids to pet a dog with one hand on the dog’s shoulder or back at the closest point relative to the child (i.e. NO reaching over the dog’s head or back) is a safe option and even something we adults can remember as well.

Remember to keep interactions brief and allow dogs plenty of opportunities to say “no, thanks!” (for kids and dogs!)

04/16/2024

Need a dog training fix heading into the warmer weather? Join our founder, Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, and Fear Free's Lead Animal Trainer, Mikkel Becker, CBCC-KA, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CTC, for the on April 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET. This virtual event is open to dog lovers, dog trainers, pet professionals, and everyone in between!

During their lecture, Marty & Mikkel will be discussing different ways to reduce stress and promote emotional rest during an animal’s physical care. Not only will the duo be discussing core elements essential to Fear Free care, but they will also be giving live Cooperative Care demos to illustrate how animals can play an active role in their care!

In the meantime, you can learn more about our Fear Free Trainer Certification Program here: https://bit.ly/3AnQNt3

04/16/2024

We always do the best we can with the information we have at the time but we should strive to learn more and grow!

We have free handouts available to download online, visit us here! www.familypaws.com/resources/ -1

11/08/2023

11/08/2023

Great tips

We love this set up. 👏🏼The baby is playing and enjoying their time on the floor while the parent is enjoying a moment.

✅The dog is safely on the other side of a gate with a toy. We especially like that the chair is in between the dog and baby so that the parent is able to intervene and prevent the baby from approaching the gate.

✅This is a great example of inclusion without direct interaction. The dog is able to observe the baby and Mom but not be in the middle of things.

06/15/2023

Great graphic

FB Memories reminded me that 3 years ago I did something I had always wanted to do. Design and commission an infographic from Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin 🥰🥰

05/25/2023

Reposting … get an early start … talk your veterinarian now if your pet has trouble with storms .. fire works

Thunderstorm season is upon us, and firework season is fast approaching. Keep an eye on this page to learn ho to help your pets stay safe and comfortable during this noisy time of year.

All animals need a place where they feel safe and can decompress. A safe zone is a special new area we’ll create together for your dog. We may use a gate or pen to create this new area, or start with a new crate or bed. You and your trainer will discuss the most appropriate place to designate as a safe zone for your pet. The goal is to build lots of positive associations in this new area so your pet loves their new spot.

The safe zone should have:
An extra comfy bed/blanket
An Adaptil diffuser
A noise buffer
A high value, long lasting food dispensing toy such as a stuffed Kong or a snuffle mat sprinkled with chopped up hot dogs or cheese, unless your pup will guard this resource.

First, condition your pup to relax on their new bed (see relaxation handout). Then, every day, place your dog in the safe zone for 5-10 minutes with high value treats in a food puzzle (e.g., stuffed Kong) to help create a conditioned positive emotional response to this whole area.