Kicking the dog?!

[kingsriver]

What do you do when a 2.5yrold deliberately kicks the dog? I hasten to add that he displays no other evil or psychotic behaviour and is normally a good tempered little man. I normally over react and shout or tap him on the offending leg with a stern talking to.(Am fond of the 11yr old dog1) I don't normally need to raise my voice with him but anytime I do - he laughs!
Question is this;do I get down on his level and calmly say Mummy doesn't like it when you kick the dog because its not very nice? Does that have any impact?

[rebecca87]

Do you have a time out/naughty spot? Ds has a step on the stairs and has gone on that when he's played too rough with our dog luckily he's never really been overly rough and now just cuddles her - he's nearly 5. (obviously we always watch him with the dog and swoop in if I see anything that would make our dog unhappy) The step has always worked for us x