S3 Ep 112: Corinne Collier, CPDT-KA | Dog Behavior and Safety: A Guide for Growing Families

Dog Behavior and Safety: A Guide for Growing Families

On this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sits down with Corinne Collier, certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant with Pet Harmony. From training basics to advanced behavior consulting, Corinne helps families build safe, supportive environments for both their pets and their kids.

This episode is packed with insight, laughter, and essential tools for any pet parent navigating the growing pains of family life with a dog in the mix.

From High School Band to Dog Behavior

Corinne’s journey into dog training wasn’t linear. She began her career as a high school band teacher before transitioning to elementary music after becoming a mom. But along the way, her volunteer work at a humane society opened a new door. Fascinated by dog behavior, she began noticing similarities between how dogs and teenagers learn.

"Brains are brains and behavior is behavior," Corinne said. She started replacing the word “dog” with “freshman” in her training books and saw the connection instantly.

From there, she joined a mentorship with Pet Harmony and trained under founders Allie Bender and Emily Strong. Now she focuses on behavior consulting — helping families address not just training commands, but the bigger picture of animal well-being, safety, and stress management.

Why 'Basic Training' Isn’t So Basic

When someone says they just want their dog to “sit,” Corinne smiles. Even simple commands involve layers of context, health, and environment.

"Behavior is how something interacts with the environment," she explained. "What we label as ‘basic’ might actually be the result of pain, stress, or misunderstanding."

That shift in thinking — from obedience to communication — is core to Corinne’s philosophy.

Bringing Baby Into the Pack

As a parent and trainer, Corinne is passionate about helping families prepare their dogs for big life changes like the arrival of a baby. The key? Antecedent arrangement — changing the environment to support better outcomes.

One of her non-negotiables for families: creating a safe space for your dog.

"This is a place where the dog will never be touched, their resources won’t be taken, and they’re never bothered," she said. "It builds a history of safety."

That space could be a crate, a bed in a quiet corner, or even just a designated spot with a visual cue. The point is to give your dog choice and control — which increases their confidence and reduces stress during family transitions.

Dogs and Babies: What to Know

Corinne shared practical tips for families welcoming a baby:

• Set expectations early, even before baby arrives.

• Notice how your dog responds to changes in your routine (e.g., being home more often).

• Always give your dog an option to move away — and reward that choice.

• Reinforce the idea that good things happen when they disengage from the baby.

"Every dog is different. Your baby’s arrival will change your dog’s environment, so their behavior might change too. That’s normal," she said.

Dog Body Language 101

Corinne emphasizes reading body language as the single most important skill a parent can learn. Some signs to watch for:

• Loose, bouncy movement = relaxed

• Tense body, fast or darting movement = overstimulated or uncomfortable

• Whale eye (white of eye showing), lip licking, yawning = stressed or unsure

• Tail wagging isn’t always friendly — a high, tight wag can mean tension

"Observe with your senses, not your stories," Corinne said. "Just because a dog is wagging their tail doesn’t mean they want to be pet."

Interacting with Dogs in Public

Corinne is a strong advocate for not petting unfamiliar dogs — especially as a family rule.

"Admire the dog, talk about the dog, but don’t touch the dog," she advised. "Teach your child to ask permission, check in with you, and respect when the answer is no."

She recommends books like May I Pet Your Dog? and My Pal Opal to help kids learn about safe interactions.

Corinne also acknowledges how hard it is for pet parents to say “no” when strangers want to pet their dog — but reminds listeners that it’s okay to advocate for your dog’s comfort.

When You Bring Baby Home

Corinne shared what it looked like in her own house:

• She and her husband entered the home without the baby first, giving their dog Opie time to release excitement.

• Once he calmed, they introduced the baby at a distance — starting with the feet, not the face.

• Each time Opie sniffed and then turned away, they reinforced that behavior.

"We wanted him to feel successful for disengaging," she explained. "That’s a skill we would need again and again."

Jessica shared her own experience of sending her dogs away for a week after her baby was born — not because she didn’t trust them, but to get into a new rhythm first. Everyone’s plan will look different, but the key takeaway is: have a plan.

"If you find yourself saying ‘it’s probably fine’ or ‘we’ll see,’ that’s a sign to stop and plan," Corinne said.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re introducing a baby, navigating reactivity, or just trying to keep everyone safe during backyard play, Corinne’s advice centers on proactive thinking and compassionate boundaries.

"Behavior happens because of the environment," she said. "If the environment changes, behavior will too."

Her biggest takeaway? Set up safe spaces, read body language, and never assume — even with the dog you’ve loved for years.

Whether you’re a longtime dog owner or starting your parenting journey with a pup at home, this conversation is a must-listen for families who want to build safe, respectful, and loving homes — for everyone under the roof.

TL;DR

Certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Corinne Collier joins Jessica to talk all things dog safety — from how to prep your pup for baby to reading canine body language and navigating public dog encounters with confidence. Learn how to set up safe spaces, manage transitions, and understand what your dog is really trying to tell you.

How to connect with the guest:

IG: @petharmonytraining

Website: www.petharmonytraining.com

Extras: Training Programs

The Mama Making Podcast Mom podcast, Motherhood Podcast, Motherhood Journey, Postpartum Mental Health, Pregnancy, New Mom Support, dog training, animal safety, family pets, dog behavior, parenting, dog body language, pet safety, dog interactions, family dynamics, pet management