Your little animal is begging for a dog. But you fear that when toddler meets pup, the fur will fly.

Ruth Crisler of See Spot Run kennel and training center can help. A specialist in the sensitive art of helping children get accustomed to new pets, she offers in-home consultations to give advice and help lay ground rules.

Her kibbles of wisdom include showing kids how to appropriately caress dogs (quietly, with long strokes) and play a part in feeding (using a sit-stay command and gentle placement of the bowl). If there are biting issues, she’ll get to the bottom of them.

Crisler also assists couples, who have a dog and are bringing home a new baby, with pointers and tips, like keep the infant in a sling, so Fido sees Junior as a natural extension of the parent. Sounds spot on to us.

See Spot Run, 2756 West Fulton Street, at California Avenue (773-638-7768 or seespotrunkennel.com). In-home consultations start at $150 for 90 minutes.

SEE
Ninth Annual Spring Circus
What: CircEsteem and Chicago Youth Circus put on a big top-style show complete with juggling, clowns, tightrope acts, and trapeze stunts.
Why: Shakespearean storytelling makes it really soar.
When: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m.
Where: Francis W. Parker School, David and Diane B. Heller Auditorium, 330 W. Webster Ave., at Clark St. Tickets ($11-$18) at 312-731-4242 or online at brownpapertickets.org.

FLUTTER
Sanctuary: Flight of the Majestic Monarch
What: The 2,500-mile butterfly voyage from Canada to Mexico is illustrated through photos, paintings, videos, and sound installations.
Why: Gather in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven afterward for up-close encounters with the species.
When: Sat.-Sept. 19. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., at Fullerton Pkwy. (773-755-5100). Admission is $6-$9.

LISTEN
French Storytelling
What: Nurture a budding bilingual with a reading ($5) of the Franco classic Les Trois Brigands.
Why: Puppets and drawings give extra joie.
When: Sat., 2:30-4 p.m.
Where: Alliance Française de Chicago, 810 N. Dearborn St., at Chicago Ave. Registration recommended to 312-337-1070.

Photo: Courtesy of See Spot Run