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How do I get the kids (aged 4, 4 and 7) I sit for to be nice to our puppy? They're constantly kicking her (nonchalantly as they walk by) or smacking her. I don't understand? She's a very sweet, shy puppy. She's never nipped at them and they're so ugly to her! They pull her around by her ears and such. I've tried explaining that a puppy is like a baby-- you have to be very careful with her. It is unacceptable to put her on the table and push her off! It doesn't matter how many times I put them in time out they do it again and again. I put the dog outside-- but she can't stay out all day w/ the heat index in the 100s! I can crate her too-- but it seems unfair to crate the poor animal just because I can't get the kids to respect her as a living creature! It's to the point where I tell them, don't go near her! Don't even touch her! They'll call her sweetly to them, just so they can scare her or kick her! How can I make them see this isn't how we treat animals?

2007-07-04 08:23:16 · 8 answers · asked by mrs.v 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting Toddler & Preschooler

And for the smart remarks I know will come about telling me to "watch the kids" I do indeed watch them but every true parent or caregiver knows that it is impossible to keep an eagle eye on 3 kids 24/7. Thanks in advance for your positive ideas and advice

2007-07-04 08:24:22 · update #1

Lately I've been baby gating off our closet (she likes to chew MY shoes, never my hubbys.) and letting roam free in my bedroom- -which is off limits to the hell raisers. They don't have any animals in their home-- but I agree it had to be learned somewhere.

2007-07-04 08:37:05 · update #2

Parents are NO help. Everything I report to them (they're vicious to each other as well) they shrug and say "Well they had a really rough childhood" They rule their parents. Sad. And I can't find other children. I'm getting paid twice my normal rate for these kids, and now I know why!!

2007-07-04 08:39:15 · update #3

8 answers

Yikes! Have you talked to the parents about their behavior?

I'm sure that you can't just stop watching them, and I agree that the poor dog can't stay outside all day in the high heat, so it might have to come to a point where you relegate her to certain parts of the house (a bedroom or other room that she's comfortable in) while they're over.

2007-07-04 08:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by Maxum F 2 · 0 0

This is awful. The children need to be taught a respect for animals. Perhaps using shock tactics by showing them a video about animal creulty.

In the meantime, they can't be near the puppy. It is really not fair to torment it at a young age as it will be damaged for life emotionally. Keep them in seperate rooms and find ways to punish the children in ways that might show them how they are making the puppy feel - not violent, but putting THEM in their rooms as the puppy would be in a crate - they really do not deserve to have a dog and need a harsh lesson. :(

2007-07-04 20:16:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Maybe you could role play with the dog, meaning, every chance you get, call the dog to you. Start playing gently with it while speaking to it. Call the dog by name and make sure you say the nicest things you can find to say. As soon as you get the kid's attention, speak to them very softly while stroking the dog. Say whatever you need to say to each child so he/she feels special. Continue to stroke the dog lovingly and then ask the children to do the same. Show them how much the dog enjoys being stroked and treated kindly. You will probably have to do this several times over the course of a few days until they begin to respond kindly. I have used this same technique with children when they exhibited jealousy to babies and younger siblings and it seems to work. The parents will also have to continue working on this with the children to make them understand that what they are doing is unacceptable. I hope the parents also understand that often when children display consistent cruelty to animals it could be the precursor to other more serious psychological problems as they grow older. Most killers or serial kilers started to master their trade by harming animals. Watch your back with this family.

2007-07-04 15:44:14 · answer #3 · answered by bombastic 6 · 0 0

I would talk to their parents. Maybe that's what they see at their house. Explain to the parents that if the behaviour doesn't change you won't be able to sit them anymore. And find new kids to sit if you can. If that doesn't work, then I don't know what to say. That kind of behaviour is learned and not natural, so they've seen it somewhere and think it's ok. Just try to keep them separate from the dog or make sure the dog is with you at all times so you can protect her.

2007-07-04 15:31:24 · answer #4 · answered by angelite16 3 · 0 0

when our nephews got aggressive with our dog, i punished them severely and gave them a very good talking to. I also told them if they ever did it again, they would never see their game boy (video games) ever again and never be welcome in our own home.

It seems severe but not having a respect for another life, animal or human, is seriously wrong. if you don't teach them respect now, this can lead to seriously deranged behavior later. (Most serial killers started out with violence towards animals! thats just scary!!!)

Nip this in the bud now. What happens when theyre older and bigger than you - and never learned respect for others? I would start with a very harsh punishment if i ever saw that again to let them understand in no uncertain terms what the rules and boundaries are on that.

Don't dare crate the animal for existing. You need to curb the children, not the dog.

2007-07-04 15:35:14 · answer #5 · answered by JaneDo 3 · 0 0

Get rid of the kids. They're monsters. If the mother asks why, tell them that they're cruel to animals and you don't want them in your house any more.

2007-07-04 15:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by la buena bruja 7 · 2 0

Crate the kids.

Sorry, I know that isn't practical, but they sound like little monsters. Please reserve a safe area in your house for the puppy where the children can't get to it!

2007-07-04 15:33:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

For the dog's sake, find her another home. There is no sense in any animal living in these conditions.

2007-07-04 15:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by Jess 7 · 1 0

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