Cooper and Kids

Cooper and Kids Making dogs and their families happier and safer!
(1)

Should You Bring Your Dog to School Pick-Up? 🐾🎒School pick-up might seem like a great social outing for your dog — but f...
18/11/2025

Should You Bring Your Dog to School Pick-Up? 🐾🎒

School pick-up might seem like a great social outing for your dog — but for many, it can actually be overwhelming and stressful.

Before you clip on the lead, ask yourself:
🐶 How does my dog feel when kids rush up to pat them?
🐶 Are they comfortable around groups of loud, excited children?
🐶 How do they react to other dogs nearby on tight leads?

Remember — just because we love having our dogs with us doesn’t mean they love every part of the experience.

✅ Tips for safe, positive school pick-ups:
🐶 Only adults should hold the lead — never kids.
🐶 Keep your dog on the outer edge of foot traffic, giving them space from crowds.
🐶Watch for signs of stress (lip licking, turning away, yawning, trying to move off).
🐶 Don’t let children rush in to pat — teach them to ask first and let your dog choose.
🐶 If your dog finds it stressful, that’s okay! Leave them at home where they feel safe and relaxed.

The goal is always safety and comfort — for both dogs and kids. ❤️

🐾 How does your dog really feel about your kids?It’s not always as obvious as we think!Dogs communicate mostly through b...
16/11/2025

🐾 How does your dog really feel about your kids?
It’s not always as obvious as we think!

Dogs communicate mostly through body language, and sometimes the signs they give are so subtle, they’re easy to miss — especially in busy family life.

Learning to read your dog’s signals helps everyone feel safe and supported.
A relaxed, happy dog will:
✨ Choose to be near the kids
✨ Have a soft, wiggly body
✨ Look calm and content

A worried dog might:
⚠️ Turn their head away
⚠️ Lick their lips or yawn
⚠️ Move away, freeze, or tuck their tail

None of these are “naughty” behaviours — they’re communication.
Our job as parents and caregivers is to listen to those signals, give our dogs choice, and teach our kids how to interact with kindness and respect.

💛 When we understand how our dogs feel, we can create safer, more positive relationships for everyone.

👉 Swipe through to learn what comfort and stress really look like in your dog.
🐶 And if you’re raising kids and dogs together, my Online Kids and Dog Program is the perfect place to start. Head to the website to check it out.

Let’s chat about crate training…Crate training can be such a helpful tool when used positively and thoughtfully — especi...
12/11/2025

Let’s chat about crate training…

Crate training can be such a helpful tool when used positively and thoughtfully — especially in busy family homes. 🐶✨

A crate can become your puppy’s safe space — somewhere they can rest, switch off, and enjoy some quiet time away from the chaos (and curious little hands!).

It can also:
🐾 Help with toilet training
🐾 Prevent unwanted chewing and keep your home (and your puppy!) safe
🐾 Give you peace of mind when you can’t supervise closely

Crate training can take time and patience, you can't just put your puppy in there and expect them to be happy. Introducing it gradually and positively will be incredibly important to ensure your pup learns to love it.

When done right, it's also a great way to help puppies learn to settle and self-regulate — something that’s so important for life with kids!

👧🏼 But remember — a puppy’s crate is their space. Kids should always know to leave them alone when they’re resting or inside.

And of course, crate training might not be the right fit for every dog. If this is the case in your home, there are other gentle confinement and management options we can explore to meet your puppy’s needs. 💛

10/11/2025

Saying goodbye to a beloved senior dog is one of the hardest parts of sharing life with them 💔🐾
But end-of-life care isn’t just about time — it’s about quality of time.

With Cooper now 13, we’re in that delicate space of weighing up the joys he still has —
✨ Food (always 😅)
✨ Gentle walks
✨ Play & wrestling with Scout
✨ Cuddles and being part of family life

And also acknowledging the harder parts —
💭 Cognitive decline
🐾 Arthritis
😔 Anxiety
🦻 Hearing loss
🌙 Some nighttime incontinence

It’s not about pretending those challenges don’t exist.
It’s about looking at the whole picture — his happiness, comfort, connection, and dignity.

Right now, Cooper still has more tail wags than tough days. And for us, that means quality still outweighs quantity 🧡

We have worded up the kids too on respecting him as he ages - especially as he's lost his hearing and has some arthritis. As pain can impact behaviour- and with no hearing he can't hear them approaching. All important to educate kids about to prevent bites and keep that beautiful relationship.

If you’re navigating this stage too, you’re not alone. There’s no perfect formula — just love, honesty, and doing the very best for the dog who has given you their whole heart. Whenever in doubt, make sure to consult with your vet.

Also, my boys are just shredding the palms here without ingesting them. It's so important to be incredibly careful that your dog does not ingest as it can cause a blockage. So always supervise. And always check the plants you have in your garden to ensure nothing is poisonous for your dog.

Meet Darcy 🤍 The sweetest new pup — and already set up for success!Darcy’s family started learning before she arrived ho...
09/11/2025

Meet Darcy 🤍 The sweetest new pup — and already set up for success!

Darcy’s family started learning before she arrived home, and wow… what a difference that makes 👏🏼✨

Bringing home a puppy is magical AND overwhelming — especially with kids in the mix.

When you’re sleep-deprived, juggling routines, toileting, biting, and excited little humans… it’s not always easy to try and learn dog training from scratch.

Preparing ahead means:
🐾 A calm, confident start
🏡 A safe setup for pups + kids
🧠 Understanding puppy needs & behaviour before big emotions hit
👶🏼 Teaching kids how to interact safely & kindly
💛 Building trust from day one — for the whole family

My Self-Paced Online Puppy Programs gives families everything they need before the chaos begins — so those early weeks feel exciting instead of stressful.

We have a puppy program specifically for families with kids and a separate one for everyone else.

If you’re planning to bring home a puppy soon… start now. Your future self (and your puppy) will thank you 🐶✨

Ready to feel prepared & confident?
📲 Join the program before your pup comes home!
https://cooperandkids.com/online-programs

Once you’ve decided on the right breed, the next step is finding the right breeder — and this part is just as important....
05/11/2025

Once you’ve decided on the right breed, the next step is finding the right breeder — and this part is just as important. 🐾⁠
⁠
A good breeder doesn’t just breed dogs — they raise family members. ⁠
⁠
Look for someone who:⁠
💛 Prioritises temperament and health over looks⁠
🏡 Raises pups in a home environment, not a kennel⁠
🩺 Health tests both parents and can show results⁠
🧠 Starts early socialisation and positive exposure⁠
🤝 Cares about where their puppies go and asks you just as many questions⁠
⁠
Be wary of red flags like:⁠
🚫 No health testing⁠
🚫 Puppies available all the time⁠
🚫 Pressure to “buy now” or meet somewhere random⁠
⁠
A responsible breeder will support you for your dog’s entire life. Choosing right means setting your new family member up for the best possible start.⁠
⁠
For more guidance on how to choose ethically and responsibly - get in touch with me. Or check out our articles in the resources section on our website.
⁠
Mel xox



Once you’ve decided on the right breed, the next step is finding the right breeder — and this part is just as important....
05/11/2025

Once you’ve decided on the right breed, the next step is finding the right breeder — and this part is just as important. 🐾

A good breeder doesn’t just breed dogs — they raise family members.

Look for someone who:
💛 Prioritises temperament and health over looks
🏡 Raises pups in a home environment, not a kennel
🩺 Health tests both parents and can show results
🧠 Starts early socialisation and positive exposure
🤝 Cares about where their puppies go and asks you just as many questions

Be wary of red flags like:
🚫 No health testing
🚫 Puppies available all the time
🚫 Pressure to “buy now” or meet somewhere random

A responsible breeder will support you for your dog’s entire life. Choosing right means setting your new family member up for the best possible start.

For more guidance on how to choose ethically and responsibly - get in touch with me. Or check out our articles in the resources section on our website.

Mel xox

🐶✨ How to talk to other people's children about interacting with your dog... ⁠⁠This is one of the questions we had sent ...
04/11/2025

🐶✨ How to talk to other people's children about interacting with your dog... ⁠
⁠
This is one of the questions we had sent in when we asked what you guys wanted to learn about... ⁠
⁠
So, here are some friendly tips:⁠
⁠
- Start with a smile: Greet the child and introduce your dog calmly.⁠
- Explain simply: Use age-appropriate language to teach dogs are friends and need gentle handling.⁠
- Read your dog's body language: Teach kids to observe signs like tail wagging, relaxed posture, or ears forward to see if the dog wants to interact or prefers to be left alone.⁠
- Teach about consent: Remind kids that we only interact with the dog if the dog wants it. If the dog shows signs of discomfort, we must leave them alone.⁠
- Respect boundaries: Not all dogs like pats, hugs, or kisses. Sometimes waving or blowing a kiss is enough.⁠
- Use treats or toys: Often, treats or a favourite toy can be a better way to bond than physical affection.⁠
- Demonstrate calmly: Show kids how to pat softly and respectfully if your dog wants to be patted..⁠
- Be patient: Some kids may be nervous; reassure them and take your time.⁠
⁠
Talking openly and kindly helps children learn to interact safely and respectfully with dogs! 🐕💙

Before falling in love with a cute face online, make sure the breed truly fits your family’s lifestyle.Choosing compatib...
02/11/2025

Before falling in love with a cute face online, make sure the breed truly fits your family’s lifestyle.

Choosing compatibility over cuteness, means everyone wins — especially the dog 💛

✨ Need help choosing a breed that suits your family? I’d love to help.
Get in touch.

Mel xox

Tips to Help Your Dog Feel Comfortable on Those First Few Walks with Your New BabyWalking with your dog and an empty pra...
30/10/2025

Tips to Help Your Dog Feel Comfortable on Those First Few Walks with Your New Baby

Walking with your dog and an empty pram at when you’re pregnant is a great way to prepare for the exciting changes ahead. It’s an important step to help your dog feel safe and confident as your family grows.

Here are some tips:�
🐾 Assess Safety First: Before heading out, evaluate if walking with a pram is safe for you, your dog and your baby. For some dogs, pulling or reacting to the pram or triggers in the environment can be unsafe—if you’re unsure, it’s okay to seek professional help to prepare safely.�
🐾 Maintain Routine: Keep your dog’s daily walks consistent to reduce stress and help them feel secure.�
🐾 Introduce the Pram Gradually: First introduce it in the home - not moving. Then introduced the movement. Stay calm and praise your dog. Make sure your dog is comfortable around the program before going out for a walk. Then walk with the empty pram, praising and rewarding your dog to build positive associations.�
🐾 Slow Exposure: Slowly introduce your dog to new items, scents, and routines related to the baby, well before the big arrival.

A gentle reminder:�Every family is different, and it’s perfectly okay if walking with a pram isn’t suitable for your dog. The key is to assess your situation and create a plan that keeps everyone safe and comfortable. If you need help with this process, make sure to get in touch.

Looking for more guidance?�Both our private consultations and our online program, "Getting Your Family Ready for Life with Dog and Baby," offers everything you need to confidently prepare your dog and your family for the new arrival—ensuring a smooth, joyful transition. https://cooperandkids.com/service/dog-and-baby-sessions/

Get in touch to learn more.

Mel xox

27/10/2025

📣 🐶🐾 Calling all Dog Professionals (breeders, trainers, vets, vet behaviourists, dog minders, dog walkers, groomers, etc)

Want to learn more about our Online Puppy Programs?
https://cooperandkids.com/online-programs/
�All programs are online and self-paced, so families can work through them in their own time. They’re packed with loads of engaging content—text, images, videos, and animations!

And I'd love to give you a sneak peek!

If you think these programs would help your clients, I’d love to show you around, explain what’s included, and answer any questions you might have!

Details for our two sessions:
Wednesday October 29th at 7pm AEDT
Friday October 31st at 12pm AEDT

Comment below or Send me a dm with your email address and which session you'd like to join.

If you can't make the time but are keen - let me know.

Mel xox

Address

Mornington Peninsula
Mornington, VIC
3930

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cooper and Kids posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Cooper and Kids:

Shortcuts

Share

Category