Creating a Loving and Safe Relationship Between Dogs And Toddlers

Dogs And Toddlers

I hadn’t even considered the potential dangers of a toddler and dog together until my in-laws visited recently. They have two Yorkies that they travel with them everywhere. Until recently, the dogs hadn’t been an issue with the baby. My in-laws had been in Florida to escape the harsh Michigan weather. However, when they were over the other day, they brought the dogs with them and my baby was now a toddler!

I could see the twinkle in my toddler’s eyes when he saw the dogs. He wanted in on the action. He wanted to grab their tails, pull the hair on their faces and just go to town on those poor dogs. And, in his defence, who could blame him! They are as cute as can be, like moving stuffed animals.

However, dogs are real animals with real feelings and fears. They will defend themselves if they feel threatened. So, how do you prevent trouble and encourage a loving relationship between dogs and toddlers? It will take some work, but here are a few tips.

How To Encourage A Loving Relationship Between Dogs And Toddlers:

Never leave your toddler and dog unsupervised.

Invest In Baby Gates

This will give both your toddler and dog the freedom to roam and have their own separate spaces for playing and napping. (Too bad they don’t have parent gates; sometimes I feel like I need to put one of those up around myself!) Child safety gates allow for safe interaction. Your baby and dog can see one another and even talk to one another, without the risk of one physically harming the other. They are a great tool for introductions because the dogs and

toddlers can approach the gate at their own pace as they become familiar with each other.

Provide An Example of Calm Interaction With The Dogs

As a dog parent, you need to make sure that you are petting and interacting with your dog regularly. Sounds easy, right? It is, but sometimes it can be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life with a toddler. Take your dog on walks and spend time snuggling and petting him/her. This interaction will make it easier for your dog to safely interact with your child. Your dog will be used to human interaction and touch. Also, set an example for your child by practising calmly talking to your dog. We all know a good example in any area of our lives goes a long way.

Teach Your Toddler To Respect Dogs

Toddlers need to be aware that dogs need their space. It is important that the toddler understand that if they overwhelm the dog it may react negatively. Dogs are sweet and soft and cuddly most of the time but you have to go slow and notice if the dog shows signs of discomfort. If the dog is attempting to leave, always let it go and do not force interaction.

It is important to respect dogs because they are animals and they have teeth which can be dangerous. Teach your child to respect your dog’s toys and food. This means they should never try to take the toy or food from the dog.

If the dogs are not your dogs, always remember that every dog is different and some don’t like children. Never assume a dog is safe. Always supervise.

Demonstrate Correct Behavior

Spend time teaching your child the correct way to pet, touch and talk to your dog.  You are the key ingredient.  Never leave your toddler and dog unsupervised.  Reassure them both and show them that interaction is safe as long as we are gentle. Reinforce good behaviour with treats.

Conclusion

If there are any issues that arise, do not hesitate to call a dog trainer. These professionals can give you more tips and tricks to improving this relationship.

This transition won’t happen overnight. Like anything else, it will take patience and determination. But in the end, you will have created a safer environment for both your dogs and toddlers and that is essential!

Several studies over the past ten years have suggested that dog owners get more exercise because they walk their dog each day. Which only makes sense, right? Walking the dog and staying active can help prevent disease, extend longevity and improve quality of life. Unfortunately, there’s a large…

Link: Are You Walking Your Dog Enough? via www.gopetplan.com

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Pet owners may be wondering whether Covid-19, the coronavirus that has infected thousands of people worldwide, is a threat to dogs or cats or can be carried by them. So far, the short answer is no. Unless you are in an area where the disease is spreading rapidly, then there is no action or...

Link: No Evidence That Pets Can Get Covid-19, but Wash Your Hands Anyway via www.nytimes.com

Sometimes a dog’s behaviour can be so disturbingly human, we’d swear they’re just fur-covered people walking around on all fours. Take, for example, one dog who tucked his uncovered baby sibling under a blanket. This nanny of a dog seems to know exactly what he’s doing. In a video that now boasts …

Link: Dog Gently Tucks Baby Sibling Under Blanket via iheartdogs.com

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Link: Meet the artist drawing lifelike pet pictures via www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

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Link: A dog in Hong Kong tests positive for the coronavirus, WHO officials confirm via www.cnbc.com

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The breathtaking footage was difficult to see and hard to forget. Video showed an emaciated dog carefully being carried away from hurricane debris by an emotional volunteer after having been trapped for nearly a month beneath an air conditioner. He lived only on rainwater from a mud puddle that h…

Link: ‘Miracle’ dog rescued from hurricane rubble meets new adopted family via www.11alive.com

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Dogs Trust — one the UK’s largest dog welfare charities — recently launched a new commercial urging people not to give dogs as gifts this holiday season. The campaign uses its iconic slogan: ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ and shows an animated dog at a Christmas feast jumping around…

Link: Anti-Pet Neglection Ads via www.trendhunter.com

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Believe it or not, I like Donald Trump. However, I don’t go along with his attitude towards dogs.

“He died like a dog. He died like a coward.” –  President Donald J. Trump, October 27, 2019. And so landed another of the president’s grossly misinformed canine analogies. In his world, disgraced people get kicked out of society “like a dog.”  They beg for money “like a dog.”  They get cheated on “like…

Link: To Die Like a Dog via thebark.com

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Link: [Untitled] via www.rd.com

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If you’re a dog owner and you live in the Sutherland Shire you will know that there are very few off leash dog areas available for your dog.

I have been using fire trails and bush tracks in and around the Menai area and have found them to be a great alternative to what the council has to offer.

Here are a few images from the Illaroo Trail in Illaroo Street, Bangor, NSW.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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Out most popular piece is an album and there are four types from which to choose. The premium album is our VOGUE which is a fully customisable album, printed on luxurious art paper sourced from the United States. Each album is handcrafted in Australia using the finest materials in the world. As a client of Johnnie Dowling Photography, you can choose from a huge range of different options including the number of pages, size, cover materials, and embellishments.

Some of the key features of the VOGUE album include:

… thick pages with lay-flat layouts

… choose any number of layouts and page size

… printed using genuine archival inks

… printed on high quality, smooth fine-art paper

… full range of cover options and embellishments are available

… optional torn-edge pages are available

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I’m updating my portfolio and I also want to test some new locations around Sydney. Only the first five applicants that qualify will be chosen. The shoot session will take about sixty minutes and will be either early morning or late afternoon. The shoot is totally FREE and you will also get a complimentary 8″ x 10″ fully edited print – my way of saying “thanks”. You will also have the opportunity to purchase other images from the shoot if you desire. Comment below or PM me to apply.

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A new television show which will be airing next year is looking for Australia’s Top Dog with a cash prize for the winner.

The show is all about the loving bond between dogs and their owners.  There are all types of dogs – Guide dogs, police dogs, show dogs, unique looking dogs, skilled dogs, and owners who are dog obsessed in a lovely way!  The TV casting producer would love to feature dogs who have made a special impact in someone’s life.

If you want to apply and participate in the show, they want you to send in a short, Instagram style video to them. Applications are now open and can be emailed to topdog.television@gmail.com

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If you’re in the midst of planning a photography session, whether it’s for your new puppy or just a general family session, you’ve probably heard the term ‘mini session’ mentioned quite a bit.

There are a few differences when it comes to a mini photography session vs a custom session. Here’s what you need to know before you decide which shoot is best for you.

Time Limits

This is, of course, one of the main differences between the two sessions. A custom photography session will last an hour or two while a photographer will usually book several mini sessions in one day since they only last about 20 – 25 minutes at most.

Number of Poses

Secondly, a custom photography session will allow for as many poses as possible within the time booked while a mini session offers less time so your photographer will use their skills to capture as many candid moments as possible in a shorter period of time.

Number of Photos

While your photographer will still try and shoot as many photos as possible during your mini session, you will naturally end up with fewer photos than you would if you had booked a custom session. A custom session generates between 30 – 40 images while a mini session will give you about 10. There will also usually be minimal retouching of the photos taken at a mini session.

So which photography session is best for you?

You may be surprised to find that many of our clients actually choose both! Often our clients will opt for the custom session for the entire family at a location of their choice. This gives them more time to play around with poses, backdrops, props and wardrobe changes. While they opt for mini sessions to get a few great photos of the kids or pets as a compliment in between the custom sessions.

Regardless of which you choose, we look forward to working with you!

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Almost every photographer has been asked for RAW files by their customers at one point or another. For some, it can be hard to understand why their photographer has refused to part ways with their RAW files but know that your photographer is not trying to be difficult. They have several good reasons why they don’t just hand over all the photos that were taken during your shoot.

When you’re working with a photographer during a shoot, you’ll notice that they’re constantly snapping away. This is because not all of the images come out perfectly. Sometimes a specific pose or scenario needs to be shot multiple times just to get one good shot. A professional photographer spends a lot of time sorting through all of the images that were taken during a shoot to select the best shots.

Once the best photos have been chosen, they are brought to life through post process editing with professional editing software. This stage which takes a lot of time and results in the beautiful end product that is handed over to you. If your photographer had to give you the RAW files you wouldn’t be seeing the end result.

You’d also be surprised at how many people want the RAW files in order to alter the photos themselves. If that individual then chose to share those photos after making their own adjustments, the integrity of your photographer’s work is put at risk.

Something else to keep in mind is that RAW files are huge and you need a lot of memory to store them. You might also find that you don’t have the proper software available at home to view this type of file, so again you would be sitting with megabytes of files that you can’t do anything with.

When you hire a professional photographer you’re putting your trust in their abilities. You need to trust that the photos they hand over to you are a result of their hard work, experience and eye for the perfect shot.

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Here are some simple tips that anyone can apply.

Selfies are so much fun and you probably have several stored on your smartphone. How many times have you had to take a dozen different shots just to get one killer selfie that you’re happy with? Below are some easy tips that you can try the next time a selfie moment strikes.

• Double check how you look. Before shooting your next selfie, give yourself a quick once-over to check your makeup or for any bits of hair that might be sticking up.
• Check your lighting. Any good photo needs great lighting so pose in a place that is well lit or has lots of natural light.
• What’s in the background? We have all seen selfies where the background was filled with dirty laundry or had another person in it. Make sure that your background is flattering.
• Play with angles. Not everyone looks the same at different angles. Play around with what works best for you and use that going forward. Try taking photos from a left or right angle and from above. Some say that holding the camera just above your eye line is the perfect angle. You can also try angling your shoulders differently for a more flattering effect.
• Use your neck. To avoid any double chins, extend your neck and chin forward slightly to accentuate your neck and jawline.
• It’s ok to edit. Once you’re happy with the shot it’s ok to crop it slightly or even add a filter or effect for a more unique selfie. If the background is too distracting, you can even crop it out completely.
• Have fun with it. While there is a place for your more posed selfies, don’t be afraid to get a little silly, laugh and have fun. If you happen to be doing something interesting such as trying a new smoothie or putting on your snorkelling gear, take a quick shot.

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Professional printing makes a world of difference.

When researching photographers and their pricing, you might notice that some packages include digital photo files, or they may give you that option as an add-on to your package. This allows you to archive the images on your computer or share them on social media. But if you are planning to rush to the photo lab around the corner to have those photos printed, you may want to give it a second thought and arrange to have them printed by a pro.

Yes, you have just paid a professional photographer to take your photos and you want to save some money but by not getting a professional to print your photos, you won’t be getting the full effect of the time and effort that went into those images.

So why should you get a professional to print your photos?

There is a reason that your photographer spends hours editing your photos. They aim to perfect the colours and sharpness of the images so that it is a work of art and not just another photo. They will also often have their monitors calibrated with the professional printing company that they use. Your local photo lab is not a professional photo lab and the person who will print your photos most likely will not have a background in photography or a trained eye, and they have not been trained in colour theory.

Your photographer has access to a professional lab and has built a strong working relationship with them. These professional printers use professional grade paper, inks and machines that you won’t find at a regular store, which is why they cost a little extra. Trained technicians also monitor the printing process to ensure that you receive the very best quality of images. By investing a little extra in your prints with your photographer, you ensure that they last longer because better materials were used.

There is, of course, a place for your 1 hour-print labs but if you’re looking to print photos for the walls in your home then having your photos professionally printed is well worth the investment.

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Photography prices may seem exorbitant at times but read on and see what you’re paying for when you hire a professional photographer.

When you start shopping around for a professional photographer the photography prices can sometimes seem quite daunting. What very few consumers realise though is that there is a lot more to photographing your event than just clicking a button at the right time.

So what are you paying for when hiring a professional photographer?

Time is money. 

Just like any other professional, a photographer needs to put in the hours to get the job done. This includes the consultation, travelling to and from the location, shooting the photos, editing and processing the orders. You’d be surprised at how long it takes to get the end result that is finally delivered to you. Once they shoot the photos, it’s not as simple as downloading the images and delivering them to you. They have to process the files, convert it to the correct file type as well as make sizing and colour adjustments to make each image pop.  If your photographer is also creating a book or album for you, they need to spend time designing it too.

Equipment is expensive.

Even though this is a very small part of why photographers charge the prices they do, it’s important to remember that quality equipment plays an important role in being able to produce the photos that they do. Professional equipment not only allows for the production of high-quality images, it also gives photographers the ability to work in areas with less than favourable lighting conditions or at venues where using a flash is prohibited.

They have spent years acquiring a very specific skill.

Photography, like any other profession, requires experience and specific skills. From knowing what lighting and camera settings to use, to knowing how to pose people and help them feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Great photographers don’t rush the editing process either, it takes time to produce the desired result and turn your photo into a work of art that you’ll proudly want to display in your home. 

It’s still a business.

A professional photographer is still running a business, which means they will more than likely have overhead costs such as rental fees for their studio and the upkeep of equipment. Photographers also need to budget for professional association fees, equipment and liability insurance and fees for courses that will allow them to stay ahead by continuously honing their craft.

A professional photographer who is dedicated to their art and willing to go the extra mile for their clients is always well worth the price.   

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Ideas for creating a photo wall in your home.

Even though we store all of our photos digitally, nothing quite beats displaying beautiful photos of your family and friends around your home. A gallery wall can be a great focal point in your home but in order to get the perfect end result, your photo wall will need some planning.

Choosing Your Wall

The wall that you see when you first walk into a room is often the perfect spot for a photo wall if you’re looking to make it the main focus of the room. If you would prefer a more subtle option then look for an area that doesn’t have any décor or space where regular artwork might not work, such as the area next to a stairway or the narrow part of a wall that divides two rooms.

Choosing a Layout

There are countless photo wall layouts that you can use to build your gallery. Pinterest offer tons of inspiration. The best thing to do once you have your heart set on a specific layout is to cut out the shapes of your frames and use masking tape to create a mock layout on your wall. You might find that you need to switch a few of the frames around or relook at the design completely.

Choosing Your Frames & Photos

Most designers would suggest that neutral colours work the best when designing your photo gallery but sometimes adding a pop of colour in-between the frames also looks amazing. You might prefer to choose frames in one colour then opt for different sizes and styles to change things up a bit. Placing an antique frame in-between your more modern frames gives the wall a unique touch. If you decide to use different colours and styles of frames then try printing your photos in black and white. Remember, your photos should always be the focal point.

Want To See What Your Photos Will Look Like In Your Own Home?

A photo gallery in your home is a great alternative to traditional décor and wall art so take the time to make it special.

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For many people, pets are furry members of the family. It comes as no surprise that they want to include their pets in their pet photo session. Including your pets in your photo session does require a little extra preparation but it is certainly doable.

Below are a few tips to prepare you for your photo session with your pet.

To make this work, you will need to get your pet to sit still and behave. Pets can get very excited when new people are around so let your pet become acquainted with your photographer beforehand. Bring treats and toys that your pet enjoys so that you have something to use to grab their attention if necessary. 

Keep a leash or harness ready, just in case. Even though your pet might be well trained, it never hurts to be prepared. You may also want to arrange your poses so you can hold onto your pet securely without it looking like you are hanging on for dear life. Your photographer will help you with this. 

If you know that your pet photo session is going to take some time, give your pets the chance to take breaks, walk around and drink water. You won’t be able to force a pet to sit still if they are thirsty or agitated. 

As a pet owner, you probably know how perceptive your animals are to energy and emotions, so it’s important that you are relaxed when you get to your pet photo session. If you really want to keep your pets relaxed too, try and arrange your photo session in a place where your pet will feel most comfortable such as your garden or a park. 

For the best results, try and work with a photographer that has previously worked with animals. This will help make the process of photographing your pets even more enjoyable.

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