Bestselling author and dog trainer Lisa Edwards shares the secrets to keeping our kids and our dogs safe and happy together.
“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.” —Publishers Weekly
According to the CDC, 4.5 million dog bites occur in the US annually, and more than half are to children under the age of eight. The majority of dog bites to children are from a family dog, or a dog that belongs to a friend or relative of the child. As certified-professional dog trainer Lisa J. Edwards—author of the London Times bestseller A Dog Named Boo — knows all too well, the dog/child relationship is simultaneously treasured, misunderstood, and sometimes feared.
Please Don’t Bite the Baby (And Please Don’t Chase the Dogs): Keeping Our Kids and Our Dogs Safe and Happy Together (Seal Press / November / $16.00) chronicles Edwards’ endearing and entertaining journey to ensure that her household survives and thrives after she introduces her son to her motley pack of animals. In a twist, Edward’s dog training techniques carry over into how she navigates her first year with a baby to mixed—but enlightening—results.
At the end of each chapter, Edwards breaks down her best training techniques and takeaways for the everyday pet owner, on topics ranging from crating to basic commands. Some of her eye-opening tips include, “While human language works by having one word mean different things in different contexts, dogs need each command to have one meaning;” and, “A dog who growls at your baby is not necessarily a bad dog—he is a dog who needs your assistance to make a good choice.”
Please Don’t Bite the Baby (and Please Don’t Chase the Dogs) provides potentially life-saving tools for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to manage the children and pets they love—together.