Dog lovers how do you discipline your children?

Question

When they repeatedly hit, kick, strangle your dog?

And they're a toddler?
Or a gradeschooler?

What would you do in each age group?

I don't have kids I"m just wondering how parents teach naughty kids to be nice to animals.

and how they teach children that animal cruelty is wrong.

Answer 1

I have a pit bull who is wonderful around children. However, when we meet up with children he doesn't know, I tell them they may pet Baby Blue if they're gentle.

AND - Blue is always walked in public on a leash. I also always supervise his interaction with children - especially those he doesn't know well - because the children can play roughly with him - and, as a bull dog - he can sometimes get excited and play roughly in a "right back at ya!" manner.

Most young children know the word Gentle - be gentle with the baby. Be gentle with the dishes. Be gentle with your toys. Be gentle with your friends. So they understand that petting my dog is a "gentle" activity.

Also, parents approve of the word "gentle" as opposed to some other similar word.

Answer 2

When I was young, I had a dog... I think I was 4 or 5 when I got him, that dog loved me and I loved him... there was never a time that I ever hurt Bigfoot on purpose, I think it's because I grew up with him... as a matter of fact, I joined the Navy a week after my 18th birthday and Bigfoot died the next day... he was about 14 years old... There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him, but I think he had a good life...

Anyway, to give my daughter the same type of respect toward animals, I got her a dog so that she can grow up with it. now they are best friends, they go everywhere together and do everything together... My daughter just started kindergarten this year and the dog waits patiently until she gets home... she's never been mean to the dog, so I think it's a learned response to an animal when you are young.

other children are nice to Sadie too because she is nice to them... I think that has a lot to do with it.

If you have a mean dog, it's probably going to be that way for the child's learning process too... you just need to find a way to make the child appreciate the dog... Negative reinforcement never works... although it seems like the easiest way.

Answer 3

My question is where would they learn such behavior in the first place.
For toddlers, I would remove the dog from the situation, get a stuffed dog and show the child how to treat it using the stuffed one as a prop. Once the toddler "understands" I would bring the dog back, have it lie down, and let the baby pet it, then put it away to prevent any accidents. Toddler's grab hair, ears, etc. I would have my hand on "timmy's" hand the whole time. I would not leave them alone, ever, and even when supervised, I would be next to the child and dog. Dogs can easily knock a toddler over, get too much in their face with the licking, etc...
Gradeschoolers, talk to them, show them how to approach a dog, asking permission, what to look for in an unfriendly dog, etc...they "get" it. If they don't, well, then they would be told over and over again until they did. (like washing your hands before eating...., eventually, they get it)

Answer 4

I have a niece that is three. When we take our dogs over to play with her she gets really excited and sometimes she will pull on the dogs tail or pinch them. My sister will tell her not to do it and then if she continues she does it back to her (pinch her lightly or gently pulls her hair if she pulls a tail) this teaches her that dogs feel pain just like you do so don't do it. as far as kicking and strangling I don't think she would ever do that. Her misbehavior is all in fun not aggression. She simply wants to lead the dogs around and she doesn't know how. Every visit she is a bit better. This is also good for our dogs as they have learned patients and how to deal with kids from her.

Answer 5

That is something you have to do from the time they are babies. The word nice is said repeatably/. When mine were little they and the animal would be my lap and in a calm way and voice I would say pet nicely and take the child's hand and do it with them, never on there own, This would go on for months. Also my child was never ever left in a room alone with any animal.As a toddler if I saw my child attempt to be mean to an animal they were put in time out immediately . I would never and even with my grand children tolerate cruelty to a animal. A child "not knowing" doesn't work for me. For any age group I would use time out or take something away.

Answer 6

I don't have any kids of my own, but my dogs are very fond of my niece and nephew.

The first rule is to NEVER leave any child unattended with any dog. My dogs have high tolerances for the poking and prodding and pulling of little children (in fact, they seem to enjoy it). Other dogs are not so patient, and it is crucial that parents realize this and supervise any interaction the children have with any dog....great dane or chihuahua....breed has no bearing. Also, when you see poking and prodding by a child, you discipline the child immediately by removing their hand from the dog gently and explaining that this hurts the dog. Show them how to touch the dog gently....kids learn by example after all....and they will learn how to pet properly. My niece and nephew are now very good at touching the dogs and know not to pull ears or tails, because I taught them not to.

If the children are older, and rough the dog up regularly, than more disciplinary action should be taken and perhaps counseling should be sought. Animal abuse coming from a juvenile can be a sign of serious psychological issues.

Answer 7

My children know better than to do any of those things to any living creature. They are raised in a family of Vets and animal industry workers as well as having a kennel and groom shop owner for a mom. However, there are a large # of kids who have no idea how to behave around animals. If I were to encounter one of those kids, say in a dog park or at Petsmart, I would immediately remove my animal from that situation. If the parents aren't responsible enough to teach their kids how to interact with animals, I just leave. Prevents a lawsuit. If someone brings one of these kids to my home, I will ask the child (if old enough to understand) or the parent to stop that behavior. If it persists, I will remove my dog from the area. I avoid dog parks for many reasons, but understand they are wonderful for city dogs and apartment dwellers.

If I had a dog known to react poorly around children, I would NEVER allow it to be ANYWHERE kids may be. That includes in my home. Some dogs are not suitable for children, regardless of how much training you put into them. Know your breed, know your individual dog and know your liability laws.

Answer 8

I dont have kids myself but i do have a nephew who is 5 and a 6 month american pitbull terrier mix, I am always around when these 2 play.my puppys use to getting poked. I found a few times him doing these things, i sit him in time out. I explain to him the dog has feeling how would you feel if someone does that to you. But i always am around those 2 no matter what. I think its a good idea you do that too. Also I dont let him take stuff out of his mouth, like when they play ball,just incase he gets too excited and nips his fingers. I am told that my dogs gonna hurt a kid because of his breed no thats not true,its how you train them.. he watches out for him. i hope this helps you!

Answer 9

My boyfriend has a two year old and when we started getting him on the weekends he would try and hit, pinch pull ears etc. and I told him NO! in a firm voice and if that didn't work I would smack him on the hand (not hard) that he was doing it with and after like the first weekend he hasn't done it since. he is great with my dogs now. all he does is give them kisses...and his food.lol

Answer 10

well if the kid is old enough to talk and understand tell the kid that the dog may bite back so you have to be nice or if the kid really likes the dog but plays rough tell the kid that if they keep it up you will be forced to get rid of the dog.