2 Year Old and Pets - Prospect Heights,IL

Ok, my son had two LARGE dogs in the house from birth, actually we got them as puppies knowing we were preggos and trained them for baby so he can/could do anything to those two. Then me moved in with Grandma who has Chewy a pomeranian/chiuaua (spelling) mix. Chewy was NOT having my son's play time since with his dog (only one now) he could be as rough as he wanted. Once we found a game they could play where son could be excited and maybe not as gentle they are BEST buddies and now they can cuddle and be gentle with eachother since they can also be rough. Chewy Catch! my son tosses Chewy's toy and then he runs after it and then the tug of war over the toy so he can toss it again, now a days they even almost wrestle eachother with the toy in my son's hand. So if you can find an activity they can do together that might get some of the aggressiveness that a young one has out but be rewarding for the animal you just might have a solution.
** until the common ground is found supervision is key.

My question is how do the pets respond?

We have 2 cats and one just walks away any time the baby (almost 2) gets too rough. The other cat is a little more aggressive and swats first (no claws--for warning) before scratching. My girl has been scratched (drawn blood) twice. I watch her closely and if I see her getting to the point where the cat is getting aggravated, I tell her that "Nabi is going to scratch/bite you, so be nice." She now knows what that means and will back off real quick. It sounds mean, but I think sometimes they just have to learn. I am also sure to keep the cat's claws trimmed and clean and when there is a scratching incident, I wash it well with soap and put on Neosporin and a bandaid (if it's bleeding).

As for dogs, my girl LOVES dogs (we don't have one yet) and she always wants to pet them when we see one outside. I've taught her that the dog may bite/scratch and she ALWAYS has to ask first (me and the person who is walking the dog) before she touches. If she ever just goes up to an animal to touch without asking, I tell her that she forgot to ask so she is not allowed to touch (we leave the location). Now, she almost always remembers. So far, she has never encountered an overly aggressive animal, only dogs with too much energy or cats who don't particularly like to be touched.

So, back to my question, if your pets are okay and don't get aggressive with her, I'd keep working with her on "gentle" and "nice" touches. When she gets too rough and you see the pet getting annoyed, explain that she wasn't being nice and she can't play with the pet anymore (take one of them out of the location). You can also work with the pets so they get more used to the rough touches (eventually she'll outgrow it). They should see her as a "boss" and not "subordinate" and not be aggressive.

Good Luck!

Sometimes a child has to learn the hard way that kitty has sharp parts. Cats are less tolerant than dogs of children but also less likely to do much damage, I doubt he will bite her but he may scratch. Dogs are likely to bite, it's their first defense.
Always watch the animals and your baby while they are together. Put cat doors in the basement or somewhere he can get away. Put baby gates up to separate the dog from the tormenting two year old. Keep practicing nice and gentle touch. She'll get it or she'll get it one way or another.

We had the same issue. We have 2 poodles - a mini and a 4 1/2 lb teacup. Of course she loved the teacup the most. Now we are 4 years in and they are getting bettter together. The teacup is still pretty afraid of dd, but dd is a lot more gentle with her. The mini tried so hard to be friends for a long time, but by the time dd was getting better, blaze was just tired of her and a lot more sensitive. They are getting better together now.

Point being, stay close to her with the dogs. Allow them to get away from her. Sit with her and teach her how to treat the pets using your hand on hers. She'll eventually get there. Just make sure the pets do not get the short end of the deal.

H.

Another great book to use, "Tails are not for pulling" by Elizabeth Verdick.

Can you have her practice "gentle" on her stuffed animals? That worked for my daughter. Her reward for doing it could be that she could pet the real pets again.

The first thing you need to do is remember that she is only 2 and you will have to sit with her each time she plays with the pets until she really understands that she can't squeeze, hit or bite them or whatever aggressive behavior she is showing. When you can't supervise them, then the pets need to be somewhere that she can't get to them for the safety of them all.

I suggest that all contact with the animals is always supervised until she understands this. Tell her that mommy has to be with her when she is touching any pets and if this rule is not kept she must have a consequence for it just like any rule.
Being aggressive with pets as you know could lead to bigger problems like her getting hurt or the animals. Keep them separate is best but not always possible since you have cats so being close when interaction happens is really the only solution for now.
C.

I bought two books that try to teach the message
Be Gentle With the Dog, Dear (by Baek) and Be Gentle by V. Miller

My daughter whos almost 2 is the same way with our 3 cats. She chases them around the house, pulls tails, and isnt always gentle. All you can really do is keep telling her to be gentle and show her how to pet the animals. They'll learn eventually!!!

How about giving her the opportunity to pet and play with animals that are bigger and won't see her enthusiasm as roughness? Horses love to be patted hard, especially on the side of the neck and on the shoulder. Animals at a petting zoo are likely larger than her and will give her a chance to be enthusiastic with animals without them being overwhelmed.

For your animals at home she will need close supervision until she gets a little older and understands. We have one cat that does the limp kitten thing (she actually is an 11 year old cat), and my four year old can carry her and play with her, and the other two do not like her. One hides and the third cat tries to rough-house with her and does the whole stalking and leaping thing like my dd was a kitten as well.

Our horses love our little girls. They enjoy the hugs and the kisses and the rough pats that would knock a cat flat. Allowing the girls to love on the horses seems to help them have more patience when it comes to the littler animals.

Good luck, it is a phase and it will pass!