Our son hits our dog!?

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a 2 year old boy (only kid). About a month ago, my husband and I adopted this female dog (about 8 months old), from the street.

At first, it was all good. The dog is sweet and playful. Then, eventually, my son started to hit her, you know, as if it was a game.

I've heard that that is pretty common but I can't allow it. He has to stop being mean with her because, well, not only the dog suffers but it's also dangerous. It's just wrong.

I'm tired of fighting over it and arguing with my son all day! We've also tried talking to him and nothing. We don't want to give up the dog either.

Now, we don't hit our son nor we do to any other being, why does he keep doing that?

And more importantly, What do I do????

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Show kindness through example.

Answer 2

when he does this take him to the dog and have  him apologize

them tell him he can have a toy taken away

Answer 3

You should visit a child psychologist since this behavior is worrying so much. It is better to get a more professional answer. Sometimes a behavior that lasts for too long means something else. You should go so you can feel better.

Answer 4

keep your son away from the dog

Answer 5

whenever he hits the dog, punish him and tell him that  he is doing is wrong. so the next time he thinks about hitting the dog he will remember that he will get punished if he does so.

Answer 6

Your two year old son hits the dog and you are tired of arguing over it???

He is TWO YEARS OLD! He should not be left alone or unsupervised with the dog EVER. You are letting him hurt the dog and setting the dog up to defend itself the only way it knows how---with her teeth.

Keep him away from the dog unless closely supervised. Teach him to pet the dog gently. The SECOND he tries to hit the dog, scoop him up, look him in the eye and tell him not to hit the dog and march him to time out. Every time he does something to the dog you need to respond swiftly.

BUT, that being said, he is only two years old. Limit his access to the dog so that  the only time he can pet the dog, you are right next to him.

You cannot have him in the room with the dog unless you are three INCHES from him. This is very serious---your child could end up being bitten by a dog that is just trying to defend itself.

So, no talking/fighting with a two year old. Supervise interaction and respond immediately and firmly to rough treatment of the dog.

If you can't do this, then get rid of the dog before she is so nervous around kids that she never gets over it---and she bites someone else's kid because of the fear instilled by your son.

Answer 7

every time he hits the dog put him in time out for 10 minutes.

Answer 8

Put your son in time out when he hits. Treat it the same as when he hits a person. Say "no, we don't hit." and keep consistantly punishing him for it, he will stop eventually.

Answer 9

When he hits the dog you need to sit him down and grab his hands firmly and say No. thats bad. You DONT hit the dog.

Eventually he will get the point.

Answer 10

you already have but you really need to reinforce hitting other people/animals is not nice. tell him if he continues to do it you'll give the dog away(but really you wont its just a threat).

you shouldn't let your son talk back to you when your arguing...you need to inforce your rules in your house

Answer 11

The answer depends on whether or not there is an attitude that goes with the hitting, does he hit her in an angry or playful fashion?

Kids (especially males) usually play rough with other kids, maybe he doesn't know his own strength.



You should try some discipline, if he hits the dog again give him a time out or send him to his room (whatever you consider acceptable punishment). Talking is nice, but Kids are very hypeactive and aren't always able to graps information verbally.

Answer 12

This is why I tell people not to get a dog for children under 5. It is too hard to get through to them that behavior they consider fun can lead to the dog ripping their heads off.

Since it's obvious "talking" is not going to do the job, it's time for your son to learn that hitting the dog has dire consequences. You have to drive it home to him that hitting the dog leads to unpleasant times for him. You say you don't want to hit your son, well sometimes it's a case of a well placed swat now can prevent a LOT of pain later. If you don't, the dog will eventually tire of it and take matters into it's own hands. Or teeth, as the case will likely be.

In that light, a spanking is a lot better than a ripped off face.

Answer 13

http://resilnet.uiuc.edu/library/wallac9...

this may be why... but i suggest you take him to see a pshcairatrist...

also. try getting another dog.... see if that makes a difference... does he hit this dog? then try cats... etc.

Answer 14

Next time he does that DONT make a huge deal by yelling (if you normally do) First off you want to get down to his level and tell him about his error and make sure he understands (as much as a two year old can) but then out him in time out. Everytime he gets up you put him right back where he was and restart the time. If he still does it then I would say you need to give him a small smack on his hand and tell him that this isnt a game and it isnt fun.

Hitting isnt the answer but you need to think of something. THINIK LIKE A 2 YEAR OLD!!!

Good luck

poor dog...

Answer 15

Everytime he hits the dog, give him a small punishment.  Not hitting, but put him in the corner or something so that he associates hitting the dog with a negative experience

Answer 16

Show him how to be nice to the dog.  And do it repeatly.  Don't make a big deal of it then maybe he'll stop.  It sounds like he might be a little jealous of the dog or he feels in control when he does that.  But I think showing him to be kind instead of yelling at him will work eventually.  One thing though is when he does it don't give all the effection towards the dog by making your son jealous that he shouldn't do that.  That will make it worse.  Good luck.

Answer 17

whenever he hits the dog you should put him in the corner and take away one of his toys and explain to him that its wrong. If he keeps hitting the dog you seperate them and put him in the corner and take away another toy until maybe he has no more toys left. A few swats on the behind wouldn't be to bad just don't do it to hard.

Answer 18

it's a normal problem children don't really understand he does see at as a game most likely, and well i think you should show him what do's and don'ts to be doing... and don't reward him for things that his done wrong but if he continues to hit the dog you should threat to take away toys or games what ever he enjoys, i'm glad that you don't hit him that makes perfect sense, and as for you don't let your son  win the arguments he's 2 tell him who's the boss but don't show hate towards him ,

well good luck and i hope you get things fixed up around your house, have a great day.

Answer 19

Time out or the corner every time he does it. They say one minute per year. Even if you have done it 25 times get up that 26th time and put him in time out or the corner. If you are consistent every time, eventually he will stop. I actually think 5 minutes is fine for that age as well, but probably no longer. If he does not have a consequence for the behavior he will never stop.

I do not spank my kids, I do not need to because I started time out and the corner at a young age. 2 is plenty old for these types of punishment. Also if he hit the dog with a toy he would loose the toy for a day.

Answer 20

I would punish him the same way you punish him for any bad behavior. If you use time outs, then put him in a time out. When you put him there, explain it's because it's not nice to hit anyone, including the dog. Spend time with him doing nice, quiet, pleasant things with your dog, like petting, or brushing him. Show him to be "gentle", or "easy", and always use the same words when he's getting to rough. "We have to be easy".

Answer 21

i cant imagin where you son has got it in his head to hit if he has never been hit - has he seen any fighting recently?

honestly i am the biggest anti - spanker but i would go f*ckin balissitc if my kids hit my animals. i guess im just super protective of my animals

but this behaviour as to stop because it will quickly lead to more unhealthy behaviour

teach him to love his dog , it will be his best freind.

Answer 22

Try punishing him ... like not taking him to one of the places he likes best and promise him that if he is not going to stop that - you will take whatever his favorite toy or game is away.

Maybe take away the TV for a couple of hours... I dunno what wks best with him.. but if the behavior continues he might need professional help.

Answer 23

Its because he feels the dog is stepping in on his territory so to speak.

Hes an only child, he's used to your attention all day everyday and now there is a new little dog in the house for you to care for and he doesnt like it, therefore he hits it and hurts it to try and make it stop taking his mummys attention from him.

My little cousin did this to his dog, nip it in the bud now, tell your son to stop it and when he does do it you have to punish him. My aunt didnt punish her son and he ended up gettign a cushion and putting it ontop of the 10 week old puppy and sitting on it.

Lukily the puppy was perfectly fine, just abit startled but you really dont want that to happen.

Dontget rid of the dog, just tell your son he is wrong when he hits the dog. Otherwise if you were ever to have another child he will be exactly the same if not worse with the child.