My four year old is constantly pretening that she is a puppy. She barks and refuses to use her huge vocabulary! She crawls on the floor and she even tried to lap water out of a glass at a restaurant with my grandma! Is this just a phase? We have two dogs, but we've always had them.
2006-09-16 16:32:59 · 15 answers · asked by glitz_and_glitter 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I do go along with it most of the time. I even call her to supper saying "All puppy dogs report to the table!" And I know she is smart. She has been tested and she is a genius.
2006-09-16 17:03:47 · update #1
Perfectly normal behavior. what we try doing is setting limits when our son was a doggy. for example..............
we told him that doggies were not allowed at the dinner table with us but we would love for Kentin to join us. Dogs are not allowed in stores and are not allowed in restuarants. they are not allowed in church or in school. Otherwise you may be a doggie as much as you want. We made sure that all kis snacks and drinks during his "doggie phase" were served at the table. This did tame the doggie behavior some. we also drew the line at such things as leashes and lapping water out of bowls. Your daugher will out grow it. We went through many imaginary friends too:)
Mom of 4(14, 13,11, and 5)
2006-09-16 17:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by no 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My neice was like that. I would suggest boundries. She may play, and that is the key word, Play "puppy" at certain times and in certain areas. (home, grandparents, ect) But that that game is not allowed at this place or that place. Calling her to the table like that, is really a great idea. I do not beleive that you are doing any harm with that, in fact I believe that you are encouraging her creative behavior. I mean if she is a only child or the only one who lives with you, she could be lonely. If she is one of many, she could be just simply trying to get some attention. Ask her pediatricine what he thinks. Then enjoy the thought that you have a very creative and wonderful child.
2006-09-17 01:43:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Actually you now have three dogs. Let her live her fantasy. She still uses the toilet, if so she will live through it, however, will you?
lol
Fantasy is a good sign, and dogs are so nice, and good loyal companions. Just think, she could be mimicking a Boa Constrictor, or a Rat, worse yet, a Crocodile. EEK...She sounds normal to me.
Worry when she will only eat dry dog food. However, some brands are so healthy. Better than McDonalds. I would love to see Phase 2. Have fun........
2006-09-17 00:17:48 · answer #3 · answered by gypsyworks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When its playtime and so on I'd leavae it be but when going in public or coming to the dinner table or any place or situation where this behaviour is inappropriate say something like ok I know you've been having fun pretending to be a puppy but its time to come to dinner and say her name is a little girl at the table where we all eat dinner. whenever she acts like a puppy at the table pleasantly correct her saying something like -her name did you forget playtime is over you're now a little girl and I want you to act like a little girl-if she does then fine if she doesn't I wouldn't say more than twice(matter of fact pleasant) if she does not then ignore behaviour and go on with dinner. Whenever she barks at you especially indicating that she wants someathing then you need to tell her that you are not a dog and do not speak dog language and can't understand her,that you'd like to give her what she needs,wants but since you can't underatand you don't know what it is and then ignore -do not give what she wants (you don't understand barking)if she really wants it she'll talk human..otherwise ignoreand if barking is disturbing then tell her she 'll have to go to her room to bark for disturbing you and the rule for dogs is that they aren't allowed to bark in the house-if that's the case or they can't bark all the time for the house isn't made for a lot of barking. Acknowledge during playtime only hher acting like a puupy but never when inappropriate and do not refer to her as puppy-only in playtime for she has to learn Boundaries and basically that what this is learning when playtime and pretend time stops. I would encourage her to engage in other activities does she have other activities,toys etc I'd surround esp in play areas and her room activities other than puppy for eventually her interest will be drawn to them. Also I'd take her to parks, activities where other children but esplain not puppy time-if she does and gets strange reaction esp other kids perhaps then being a puppy isn't as appealing for all kids want to interact other kids-again explain other kids not dogs . Perhaps too her she's getting a lot of attention being a puppy so treat her like human let her know you are not a dog and so on. But you have to be very consistent for this to eventually work. If this attention phase persists as soon as she starts preschool she'll learn when not to be a puppy.
2006-09-17 01:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is identifying with the dogs...it is all a part of finding out who SHE is. Leave her alone, she's fine. She wants to be a dog for awhile, it's pretend, part of what children do. She has a wonderful imagination let her use it. It has been proven that the more imaginative a person is the more intelligent they are. Pat her on the head and say "nice doggy" and encourage her imagination rather than trying to stifle it.
2006-09-16 23:36:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that she is just going through a phase and you should not worry about it. She is just acting like the dogs because she is at that age.
If she keeps this behavior up until the age of 10, then you should be concerned.
2006-09-16 23:42:22 · answer #6 · answered by Vicky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is just a phase. Many kids go through something like this. It means she is creative and has a good imagination. Unless you think she TRULY believes she is a dog (doesn't sound like it, though), she should be fine. It's a good thing!
PS It's kind of like that kid on Daddy Daycare who wanted to be Flash.
2006-09-16 23:36:10 · answer #7 · answered by mountain_laurel1183 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter does that sometimes, that's how I decided she'd make a great puppy this Halloween. We have 2 dogs and my daughter adores them!
2006-09-17 00:52:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
she seems to think the dogs are getting better treatment or more attention. some kids go through phases like this but you might consult your doctor.
2006-09-16 23:35:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of this happening a lot. Pretending they're something they're not in general, actually.
If the behaviour hasn't stopped in 6 months, then it's time to consult your pediatrician.
2006-09-16 23:34:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋