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How do I get my kid to stop harrassing my dog?

My 2 year old child is a good kid, and my 70 pound dog is very calm and docile. My kids jumps on him, pokes him in the eyes, and pulls his tail, and the dog does nothing but take it. How do I get my kid, who is incredibly energetic, to stop doing this? Keep in mind I can't let my kid play outside all the time.

Update:

He started of being very nice to the dog when he was 14 months, now he is two. Please keep in mind how well a 2 year old responds to "no."

12 Answers

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  • rrm38
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    First take the time to show him how to handle the dog appropriately. Hold his hand gently and move him through the motions of petting the dog appropriately. Explain that any time he handles the dog in any other manner he will not be permitted to be in contact with the dog for X amount of time. When he behaves inappropriately, separate him from the dog immediately. Don't make the dog go to another room, your son should be removed from the situation. He should receive a time-out for a set period of time in which he isn't allowed to play with the dog or any of his toys. Don't forget to praise him when he is petting the dog in the appropriate manner that you have shown him. It will take time and diligence on your part, but he will eventually learn that his behavior will yield results that he doesn't enjoy.

  • 1 decade ago

    Practice petting the dog and being nice. Make sure your child knows that he is hurting your dog.

    2 years old is not too young for a time out or other form of discipline. When he does something to hurt the dog, take him to time out, take away toys, or stand in corner. Two minutes in the corner makes a large impression on a two year old. After punishment, make your child apologize to the dog and pet him in a nice way.

  • Kat T
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    I've seen a lot of young children around your child's age act like that towards animals. You just need to sit down and tell him/her that their behavior is unacceptable. Show him a good example by lightly petting the dog. You have to show your child visually how you want him/her to treat the dog. When your child is mean or harassing the dog, there has to be punishment, possibly a time out. After a while, your child should realize that that behavior is wrong and he/she will stop.

    Good luck!

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Put the dog somewhere safe, for an hour at a time, away from your son, until the boy is old enough to know that what he is doing is wrong.

    Also, start putting your son in his room for a while if he mistreats the dog, he is old enough to start learning that you can't treat animals that way.

    You really don't want the dog snapping at or biting him. The main thing is the safety of both of them.

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  • 1 decade ago

    had the same problem with mine. finally after all the explaining and showing, i thought, maybe if he understood it HURTS the dog, he might not do it. so everytime he pulled his tail i tugged on his hair a little, not yank it, just a little tug, not even enough to hurt him, i told him everytime you pull the dogs tail or jump on him, im gonna pull your hair. after about a dozen times of the hair tugging he would quit and say that hurts and i told him thats what it feels like to the dog. my son only did it a few more before he stopped. it may seem a bit extreme, but id rather tug on my sons hair to show him it hurts than have my 50 pound dog finally turn on him.

  • 1 decade ago

    I was wondering when I'd read the answer that said "The dog finally bit my kid so we got rid of the dog"...... Seriously.. How much would YOU tolerate? Train the child, spank (yes, I said spank) for the unacceptable behavior and don't blame the dog if your child is allowed to continue tormenting him and he finally bites.

    EDIT: As a mom of five I'm very well aware as to how a 2 yr old responds to the word "no".. And a crack on the butt hurts alot less than stitches to the face...

  • 1 decade ago

    I agree with "Heart's", now is the time you need to teach your child to respect animals. Also, even though your dog is docile, that does not mean your child can't push him to his limits....in other words, if this keeps up your dog could possibly hurt your child.

  • 1 decade ago

    Try these, it really works! gently pull your child's hears, don't hurt him, and while you do that, ask him if it hurts, when he says yes, explain to him that that's what the dog feels when he does it to it.

    Show your child gentle ways to play with the dog.

    Source(s): I did it with my sister's little boy when he hit me very hard in my arm, I gently hit him back and explained to him how much I love him and I would not ever hurt him. It WORKED. Children need to be taught.
  • Chloe
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    I can't understand why you would allow this, even once...

    Tell him "NO" and lead the child away when behavior is over the line, every time.

    Better to calm tears than to be getting stitches in your child's face.

  • 5 years ago

    i could record it greater effective, take image, video or etc. when you have info i could call animal provider, enable them to ensure what's ultimate. although, i could probable purely deliver the canines interior, or toughen the fence - making it impossible to trojan horse the canines for the duration of the fence. i could probable purely scare the youngster off. With some teenagers a pretend possibility like "howdy, youngster get out of there. i'm going to call the police officers" will do wonders.

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