Misti Fry of Sidekick Dog Training in Springfield, Mo., is advising families on the importance of understanding child-dog interactions and training.

Fry’s comments, carried in local coverage on KY3, focus on minimizing stress for both people and animals as households cope with increased visitors, decorations and activity. Her guidance emphasizes patience, structure and staged introductions so the transition does not overwhelm existing pets or the new arrival.

At the heart of Fry’s recommendations is an understanding of common challenges families encounter when adding a pet. common challenges families face when introducing a new pet — disputes over food, water, beds and litter boxes — and behavioral tensions such as hierarchy disputes, growling or snapping between existing and new animals are frequently reported. Older dogs may resent puppies, and cats and dogs sometimes take time to negotiate household roles.

To reduce early friction, Fry encourages owners to prepare their homes in advance. steps can families take to prepare their home for a new pet: securing or covering electrical cords, storing medications, cleaning supplies and chemicals on high shelves or in latched cabinets, removing toxic plants and small choking hazards, and using covered trash cans. Preparing separate, quiet spaces where a new pet can retreat and rest helps limit confrontations and gives animals time to acclimate to new sights and smells.

Fry also spoke about the practical mechanics of introductions. Rather than forcing immediate, unstructured contact, she recommends a gradual approach that lets animals observe one another from a distance, exchange scents through towels or bedding, then progress to supervised, controlled meetings. These staged interactions reduce the chance of sudden escalations and help families read early signals that an animal may be stressed or uncomfortable.

Training and ongoing behavior work are central to Fry’s practice at Sidekick Dog Training. She works with owners to integrate animals into daily routines and to teach basic skills that make households safer and more predictable. Those skills — such as leash walking, sit and reliable recall — not only ease daily life but can also influence long-term placement outcomes.

Fry appeared on KY3/Ozarks Unscripted, discussing techniques for family and child-dog interactions. She also advised families to consult veterinary behavior resources for general information when questions arise that require medical or clinical expertise.

The timing of a holiday adoption can be both helpful and challenging: increased time at home may allow owners to supervise initial integration, but holiday guests, decorations and disrupted routines can increase stress. Fry’s message to families is that planning and patience are especially important during this period — creating predictable routines, preparing safe spaces and allowing slow, structured introductions will help all members of the household adjust.

Sidekick Dog Training continues to offer services for owners in Springfield who want hands-on support. Families interested in Fry’s advice can find supplementary material and recorded interviews linked in local reports and on the trainer’s online channels. For readers seeking broader background, veterinary behavior resources and shelter-based training programs were recommended as reliable sources of additional guidance.