Who Keeps the Dog in a Divorce? With Karis Nafte

Written by Katherine Eisold Miller | Apr 28, 2022 3:45:05 AM

Pets are not property, nor are they quite the same as human children. So, how do you decide who gets to keep the dog in a divorce? And what if you have more than one animal? How do you do what’s best for your pets and the people involved?

Karis Nafte is the Pet Custody Specialist and Certified Family Mediator behind Who Keeps the Dog, a consulting practice that helps families with their pets through the divorce process. She has been working with dogs professionally since 1996, developing an expertise in obedience training, behavior problems, and on-set training for animals in film. Karis is passionate about mediating pet custody arrangements and providing behavior support for owners with dogs showing signs of stress pre- and post-divorce.

On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Karis joins Katherine to discuss the common mistakes people make with their pets in a divorce and explain why shared custody isn’t necessarily the best option for your dog—or you. She walks us through the factors to consider as you decide between shared and sole custody of your pet, describing why random, sporadic visits from an ex are stressful for your dog. Listen in for Karis’ insight on having kids and pets transition between parents together and find out why mediation is a much better option for your dog than letting a judge decide their fate.